Apple iPad Pro 2021 Review: Discover the Pros and Cons

The Apple iPad Pro 2021 is proving to be a revolutionary tablet device, setting the bar for tablets and iPads alike. With performance comparable to that of a notebook, this new iPad Pro offers the latest technology and features, making it one of the most advanced and powerful tablets on the market. However, what makes this tablet stand out from others?

In this Apple iPad Pro 2021 review, I will be discussing the various features that make the Apple iPad Pro 2021 such an impressive tablet device. I will also be exploring the various features it offers and why it is considered to be one of the best iPad series.

Apple iPad Pro 2021 Review: Design

It has the same dimensions as its previous model, and it is only 5.9mm thick. It is, however, slightly lighter and comes in 466 vs 473 grams. In a nutshell, it’s pleasant to handle and use, and the metal frame, rear panel, as well as rounded edges give the device a premium appearance.

The buttons and ports are positioned similarly to previous models when holding the device vertically, the volume controls are at the top on the right side, and the USB-C port is on the same edge, but at the bottom, the ignition is on the top edge near the right corner, and there are two speakers on the top edge, two on the bottom edge. The webcam is still on the top edge (portrait position), making video calls very difficult.

The Magic Keyboard is connected via a pin connector on the rear and a SIM card slot on the right edge, and the Apple Pencil, like its counterpart, is firmly attached to the right edge where it is also charging.

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Apple iPad Pro 2021 Review: Display

The displays on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and 11-inch iPad Pro devices were identical until last year. Apple, however, released a new display based on tiny LED technology on the 12.9-inch model this year. 

The iPad Pro 2021 still has the standard IPS screen, which is not bad. Its colour fidelity is superb, with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

Because of the lower latency, the increased refresh rate also improves the Apple Pencil experience. The 12.9-inch model, in my opinion, is worth the extra money because the peak brightness is substantially higher, and the contrast is significantly better.

Performance

The Apple iPad Pro 11 2021 features an industry-leading processor for this class of products. This year’s model uses the same SoC as Macbooks rather than the usual iPhone chips, and because the processor comes with a massive 16GB of RAM and 2TB of storage, it seems more like an iMac than a tablet.

In terms of usability, the iPad Pro 11 2021 is somewhat better than the previous version and it would be fantastic if Apple released some professional software for the iPad, such as Final Cut Pro or Motion because since the iPad Pros have the same hardware as a Mac mini (M1), there’s no reason why they can’t run laptop-specific software.

The new iPad Pro 2021’s screen is excellent, the processor is outstanding, and although previous iPads performed admirably, the iPad Pro 12.9 in 2021 is in a league of its own.

The Apple iPad Pro has no trouble managing video and photo editing apps. The device’s rear camera has a respectable 12MP sensor with a 10MP wide-angle lens, which has proven to be very handy and a depth sensor (LiDAR).

Apple also released a new feature called “Auto Framing,” which, as the name implies, can track the subject even as it moves. 

Staying in the area covered by the wide-angle lens will always keep you in focus in the shot, thanks to this feature. 

It comes in handy during video conversations because it allows you to avoid keeping an eye on your surroundings.

Apple iPad Pro 2021 Review: Battery life

The battery in the 2021 iPad Pro 11-inch is no different from the previous year’s model. It’s a 28.65Wh unit, and Apple promises up to 10 hours of battery life on Wi-Fi models and 9 hours on 5G models.

As for the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, you can expect up to 10 hours of mixed usage, including web browsing, video streaming, basic tasks, and even some gaming.

Unlike the iPhone 12, the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9 comes with a 20W charger. While the charging speed is decent at 18W, it’s not as fast as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus’s 45W. It takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes to fully charge the device.

However, keep in mind that the battery drains a bit quicker when the device is in standby mode or when connected to the Magic Keyboard, as the keyboard is charged through the iPad Pro. But overall, the battery life should still last you a full workday.

Features

The iPad Pro 2021 is a model with 2TB of storage space, and the “Auto Framing” feature has been included with a Thunderbolt/USB 4 input. 

These are all significant enhancements that would ordinarily go unnoticed. Still, they appear to be minor features in comparison to the brilliant display and super-processor.

Some other features include:

• The Apple M1 chip powers the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, equally featuring ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 broad colour compatibility.
• An Ultra-Wide camera with Center Stage is included in the TrueDepth camera system.
• For immersive AR, a 12MP wide camera, a 10MP ultra-wide camera, and a LiDAR scanner are employed.
• Staying connected with superfast Wi-Fi
• The Thunderbolt port is used to connect to quick external storage, monitors, and docks.
• Apple Pay and Face ID allow secure authentication.
• There are five studio-quality microphones and four speakers.
• Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio all support a weight of 466 grams.

Specification

• Diagonal width of the display: 11 inches.
• IPS is the display type.
• RAM: 8/16 GB
• Storage capacity of 128/256/512 GB and 1/2 TB
• 14.5 iPadOS
• The battery is a lithium-polymer rechargeable unit with a capacity of 28.65 watt-hours.
• Size: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm
• 12.9 ” display size
• Type of display Retina XDR Mini LED (LCD)
• The resolution is 2048 x 2732.
• The refresh rate is set at 120 Hz.
• Within is the Apple M1 processor.
• Rear camera with 12MP, 10MP, and Time of Flight (ToF)
• The front-facing 12MP camera

Pros

• The performance is comparable to or better than that of a laptop.
• It is light in weight.
• A wonderful show
• Excellent flexibility
• Next-level performance.

Cons

• iPadOS does not fully utilise the Apple M1.
• IPS (in-plane switching)
• It has a high price.
• Storage begins at 128GB.
• It is designed in medieval colours.

Buyer’s Guide

The new Liquid Retina XDR screen is stunning, with a brightness equivalent to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. The display is ideal for both watching movies and videos and working. It is quite speedy, capable, and has an excellent screen but coming from a 3rd generation iPad Pro 12.9; this isn’t as significant an upgrade as I had hoped. Yes, it’s faster, but unless you’re a pro or a gamer, you probably won’t notice much of a difference compared to chips from a few years ago.

Unfortunately, multiple users accounts on an iPad are not supported by Apple. I knew this used to be the situation a few years back, and I was shocked to see that the device could only still tie it to a single Apple account.

The battery life is significantly less than that of a comparable Apple laptop, and there is still just one USB-C port in the market, where laptops compete with twice to four times the number of USB-C ports.

The product itself is excellent, but it has a drawback for artists. When using Procreate, it frequently overheats and will turn itself off/make itself unusable till it cools down, and the problem is that it doesn’t feel hot at all. I’m not sure if this is a product flaw or a genuine issue. It’s disheartening to be grooving along with your creativity and then has to take a forced break. Also, if you choose a lower edition with less storage capacity, the MicroSD card slot is absent, so keep this in mind. The base model starts at just 128GB, which is absurd.

It’s a fantastic tablet, but it’s far too large for portability and casual use. The 12.9-inch model is designed for people with larger hands. Furthermore, the software is subpar. Be prepared to be disappointed if you buy this to replace a laptop. It is, however, still a TABLET. That’s all.

Finally, the apple must remove the massive black frames. It’s ridiculous that the new m1 iPad hasn’t been redesigned. Because the iPad cannot exploit the full capabilities of the m1, this year’s iPad is a money grab.

Series Available

There are 128, 256, and 512 GB models with 8 GB of RAM, with 128 being the base model.

The RAM in the 1 and 2 TB variants is 16 GB.

There are also “Wi-Fi” and “Wi-Fi + Cellular models “.

The latter enables the use of a SIM card and, as a result, 5G.

The product comes in two colour options: Space Gray (dark grey) and Silver.

Is it worth buying?

If you desire a long-lasting device, then it is a good tablet for you. The iPad Pro 11 2021 has a data sheet worthy of a Macbook, and endurance is assured owing to the Apple M1 chip.

It’s also useful as a supplement to a PC because the iPad Pro 11 2021 will assist you with many fundamental activities. If you regularly travel for work, you might find this product quite useful.

The gadgets are for you if you have no particular needs. While the iPad Pro 11 from 2021 has excellent hardware, the same cannot be said for the software.

For the time being, the Apple M1 is being misused on this product.

How much is it worth?

The iPad Pro 2021 has been available through the Apple Store and third-party retailers since May.

The actual issue is the price: the entry-level iPad Pro 2021 costs $1,299 USD and comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage (Wi-Fi variant). The 256 GB storage space costs $1,399, the 512 GB storage space costs $1,599, the 1 TB memory costs $1,999, and the 2 TB storage space costs $2,399.

Conclusion

The iPad Pro 12.9 2021 features a beautiful display, a great CPU for the category, and superb build quality.

The iPad Pro 12.9 in. 2021 is a fantastic item that will make everyone happy who gets it, but I’m not sure how many people will afford it.

If you think that you can afford the 5th generation of the Apple iPad devices without being kicked out on the street the next day, then go ahead and get one for yourself; if not, check out the 4th generation. 

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

What is the difference between the iPad Pro 2020 and the iPad Pro 2021?

In terms of dimensions, the iPad Pro 2021 and iPad Pro 2020 are nearly identical. They both have the same height of 280.6mm and width of 214.9mm. The only noticeable difference is that the iPad Pro 2021 is 6.4mm deeper than the iPad Pro 12.9mm and the iPad Pro 2021s at 5.9mm.

Is there a SIM card port on the iPad Pro 2021?

It does, indeed. The SIM tray is positioned on the device’s lower right side.

Insert a SIM tool into the little hole to eject the SIM tray before inserting a SIM card.

Is it time to upgrade my iPad Pro 2021?

If you have an iPad Pro 2020 and are currently pushing it to its limits, switching to the iPad Pro 2021 will certainly result in a performance improvement.

That being said, the iPad Pro 2020 is still a fantastic tablet. If you don’t need the new capabilities, upgrading isn’t necessary.

How can I tell if my iPad Pro is from 2021?

Locate the model number. Examine the back of your iPad. Navigate to Settings and then to About. Look for the model number towards the top of the page.

Is there an ultra-wide camera on the iPad Pro 2021?

The iPad Pro, which will be introduced in 2021, will have not one but two ultra-wide cameras, a front-facing camera, 12 MP, /2.4 aperture, 122° field of vision, TrueDepth, and a Center Stage.

There’s a 10 MP camera on the back with a /2.4 aperture and a 125° field of view.

Is there a LiDAR scanner on the iPad Pro 2021?

Yes, the iPad Pro 2021, like the 2020 model, includes a LiDAR scanner.

The LiDAR Scanner is a feature that measures the distance to nearby objects up to 5 meters away. When paired with data from cameras and motion sensors, the scanner offers an entirely new level of augmented reality (AR) experience.

The exciting thing is that NASA uses the same technique for Mars landing missions.

Is the iPad Pro suitable for students?

The iPad Pro is Apple’s most costly tablet range. The majority of pupils cannot afford it.

However, suppose the iPad Pro is within your price range, and you are studying photography, filmmaking, or visual arts. In that case, you should think about purchasing it.

Apple offers educational discounts on iPad Pro devices. You are eligible for a discount if you are a current or newly accepted college student, as well as a parent or instructor.

Apple iPad Pro 2021 Photos