The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021), also known as the 5th generation iPad Pro, is a powerhouse tablet that brings desktop-class performance to the portable form factor. Equipped with the Apple M1 chip, this iPad Pro is designed for creative professionals, gamers, and anyone who demands top-tier performance from their devices. The Liquid Retina XDR display offers stunning visuals with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for photo editing, video production, and immersive entertainment. In this review, we will explore the specifications and provide an in-depth analysis of the iPad Pro 12.9, covering its design, performance, display quality, and overall usability.
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Versions | Wi-Fi + Cellular & GPS: A2379, A2461 (Global); A2462 (China) |
| Network Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G Bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G Bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G Bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 – A2379, A2461, A2462 |
| 5G Bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave – A2379 |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 – A2461, A2462 | |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, 5G |
| Announced | 2021, April 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 21 |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 in) |
| Weight | 682 g (Wi-Fi), 685 g (5G) (1.50 lb) |
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
| Stylus Support | Yes, with Bluetooth integration and magnetic attachment |
| Display Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak) |
| Display Size | 12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Display Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Operating System | iPadOS 14.5.1, upgradable to iPadOS 17.6.1 |
| Chipset | Apple M1 |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) |
| Internal Memory | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | Dual: 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 125Ëš (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
| Camera Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Video Recording | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie Camera | Single: 12 MP, f/2.4, 122Ëš (ultrawide) |
| Selfie Camera Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Selfie Video Recording | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| 3.5mm Jack | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) |
| NFC | No |
| Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort, magnetic connector |
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, barometer |
| Battery Type | Li-Po 10758 mAh (40.88 Wh), non-removable |
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray |
| Models | A2379, A2461, A2462, iPad13,8, iPad13,9, iPad13,10, iPad13,11 |
| Price | About 1200 EUR |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) Review
Design and Build Quality
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) features a sleek and professional design that is both robust and elegant. The aluminum frame and back provide durability without adding unnecessary weight, making it a portable powerhouse at 682 g (Wi-Fi) and 685 g (5G). The 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display dominates the front, offering an immersive viewing experience with minimal bezels, thanks to its 85.4% screen-to-body ratio.
The device’s ultra-thin profile, measuring just 6.4 mm in thickness, enhances its portability and ease of use, whether you’re drawing with the Apple Pencil, editing photos, or watching videos.
Display
The Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display is one of the most impressive features of the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021). With a resolution of 2048 x 2732 pixels and a 265 ppi density, the display offers stunning clarity and color accuracy. The support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision further enhances the visual experience, making this tablet perfect for content creators and media consumption.
The display’s 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsiveness, while the 1000 nits typical brightness and 1600 nits peak brightness make it highly visible in any lighting condition. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, the display maintains its brilliance, making it a top choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Performance
Powered by the Apple M1 chip, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) delivers unmatched performance in the tablet category. The octa-core CPU and 8-core GPU provide desktop-level processing power, capable of handling demanding tasks such as 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking with ease. Whether you’re using professional-grade apps like Adobe Photoshop or playing graphically intensive games, the M1 chip ensures a smooth and responsive experience.
The tablet is available in multiple storage options, ranging from 128GB with 8GB RAM to a whopping 2TB with 16GB RAM, ensuring you have the space and memory to handle any project.
Camera and Audio
The dual-camera setup on the rear includes a 12 MP wide lens and a 10 MP ultra-wide lens, along with a TOF 3D LiDAR scanner for depth sensing. This combination allows for stunning photography and videography, with support for 4K video recording at 60fps and gyro-EIS for stable footage. The quad-LED dual-tone flash ensures well-lit shots even in low light conditions.
The front-facing 12 MP ultra-wide camera is perfect for video calls, selfies, and Face ID, with 1080p video recording capabilities and gyro-EIS for smooth videos.
The iPad Pro 12.9 also features four stereo speakers, providing rich and immersive audio that enhances everything from movies to music.
Battery Life
The 10758 mAh Li-Po battery (40.88 Wh) ensures that the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) can last through a full day of intensive use. Whether you’re working on creative projects, attending meetings, or streaming content, the battery life is dependable, offering hours of uninterrupted productivity.
Charging is handled via the USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4) port, which also supports fast data transfer and connectivity with external devices, such as monitors and storage drives.
Connectivity
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) offers extensive connectivity options, including support for 5G networks on cellular models, ensuring fast and reliable internet access wherever you are. The Wi-Fi 6 support provides faster wireless speeds, while Bluetooth 5.0 ensures seamless connectivity with peripherals.
The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 makes the iPad Pro a versatile device, capable of connecting to high-performance peripherals and external displays, making it a viable alternative to a laptop for many users.
Conclusion
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is an extraordinary tablet that offers performance and features that rival many laptops. Its stunning display, powerful M1 chip, and extensive connectivity options make it the ultimate tool for professionals and creatives. Whether you’re editing videos, designing graphics, or simply consuming media, the iPad Pro 12.9 delivers an unparalleled experience.
Disclaimer: We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
