Apple iPad Pro Apple 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Wi‐Fi + Cellular, Review
The 2021 iPad Pro packs laptop-level speed into a tablet, but its aging hardware shows in battery life and connectivity. It's a powerhouse with a catch.
Overview
The 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch is still a powerhouse. It's got the same M1 chip Apple put in its laptops, so it flies through apps, multitasking, and creative work without breaking a sweat. The big draw here is that Liquid Retina XDR display, which is stunning for watching movies or editing photos. But at its core, this is a tablet that wants to be your laptop, and it gets closer than most.
Performance
Performance is the best thing about this iPad. That M1 chip lands in the 82nd percentile for CPU power, so it handles everything you throw at it. The GPU is right there too at the 81st percentile, making it great for design apps and games. The battery life is the weak spot, sitting in the 48th percentile. You'll get a day of use, but not much more, and the Wi-Fi connectivity is surprisingly poor at the 16th percentile.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The M1 chip is still incredibly fast for a tablet. 95th
- The 12.9-inch XDR display is gorgeous for media and art. 82th
- Build quality and the accessory ecosystem are top-notch. 82th
- Center Stage is a genuinely useful feature for video calls. 77th
Cons
- Battery life is just okay, not great. 23th
- The Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity performance is weak. 24th
- iPadOS still limits true pro workflows compared to a laptop.
- It's expensive, especially if you add the keyboard and pencil.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | 3.2 GHz |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.5 lbs |
| OS | iPadOS |
Value & Pricing
At around $525, this is a complicated value proposition. You're getting flagship-tier performance and a premium screen for a mid-range price. That's a huge win on paper. But you're also buying into a 2021 device with some dated hardware, like the mediocre cameras and connectivity. If your main need is raw power for apps and a brilliant screen, it's a steal. If you need all-day battery or the latest features, look elsewhere.
vs Competition
Compared to the newer Surface Pro 11, this iPad Pro has a better screen for creative work but a much more limited operating system. The Surface runs full Windows, so it's a true laptop replacement. Against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+, the iPad wins on app optimization and chip performance, but the Samsung likely has better battery life and more flexibility. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro offers similar screen size for less money, but its performance isn't even close to the M1.
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro Apple 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Wi‐Fi + Cellular, | Apple iPad Pro Apple 11" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 512GB, | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung 12.4" Galaxy Tab S10+ 256GB Multi-Touch | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” OLED | Lenovo Yoga Tab Series Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus | Xiaomi Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 Only WiFi (No Calls or Text) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 3.2 GHz | Apple M5 | MediaTek 9300 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3, QCM8650 | 2.2 GHz mediatek_helio |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 12 | 12 | 32 | 16 | - |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 512 | 256 | 1000 | 256 | 256 |
| Screen | - | 11" 2420x1668 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 11" 2560x1600 |
| OS | iPadOS | iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Android 15 |
| Stylus | true | true | true | false | false | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | false |
Verdict
Buy this 2021 iPad Pro if you're an artist, designer, or media consumer who prioritizes a stunning display and blistering app performance over battery life and laptop-level software. It's a fantastic device that feels powerful and premium. Don't buy it if you need your tablet to be your only computer, or if you're constantly on shaky Wi-Fi.