Apple iPad Pro 12.9 2021, M1, 16GB, 1TB, Space Gray
The Apple M1 8-core chip and 16GB of RAM power desktop-class multitasking, while the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion reaches 1600 nits peak brightness for precise HDR editing. A Thunderbolt port connects to fast external storage and 6K displays, and the ultrawide front camera’s Center Stage keeps you framed during video calls. This iPad is best for digital illustrators and mobile video editors who need Apple Pencil precision and ProRes acceleration for 4K workflows.
CPU M1
RAM 16 GB
Storage 1 TB
Screen 12.9" 2732x2048
OS iPadOS
stylus Yes
67 Overall Score
Price $850
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong storage (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong feature (92nd percentile) 92nd
- Strong screen (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong ram (87th percentile) 87th
Cons
- Below average affordability (13th percentile)
- Below average social proof (26th percentile)
- Below average battery (32nd percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Owner sentiment has held steady over time
Based on 5 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| Cores | 8 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 1 TB |
| Expandable | No |
Display
| Size | 12.9" |
| Resolution | 2732x2048 |
| Panel | Liquid Retina XDR |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 |
| USB-C | 2 |
| Cellular | No |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
| Stylus Model | Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.5 lbs |
| OS | iPadOS |
vs Competition
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 | Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ | Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus ZAEG0096US | Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro 62751 | BESTTAB T60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | M1 | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V | MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 3000 MHz | AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| RAM (GB) | 16 | 32 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 12 |
| Storage (GB) | 1024 | 1024 | 512 | 256 | 512 | 256 |
| Screen | 12.9" 2732x2048 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 11.2" 3200x2136 | 12" |
| OS | iPadOS | Windows 11 Pro | Android 14 | Android 14 | Android 14 | Android 16 |
| Stylus | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | true |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 47 | - | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | CPU | GPU | RAM | Screen | Battery | Feature | Storage | Sharpness | Portability | Connectivity | Social Proof | Affordability | Water Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPad Pro 12.9 | 84.8 | 83.9 | 87.4 | 88.2 | 32.2 | 91.9 | 96 | 67.4 | 36.6 | 86 | 26.1 | 12.6 | 46.7 |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition Compare | 94 | 94.6 | 98.9 | 98.2 | 98.6 | 84.9 | 97.7 | 78.2 | 24.4 | 92.8 | 48.2 | 0.8 | 46.7 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ Compare | 79.2 | 76 | 80.8 | 95.9 | 88.1 | 99 | 92.8 | 78.2 | 49.5 | 77.3 | 93.2 | 7.5 | 97.5 |
| Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus ZAEG0096US Compare | 80.9 | 78.9 | 92.6 | 97.1 | 88.9 | 97 | 83.5 | 87.5 | 42.3 | 92.8 | 90.2 | 21.7 | 46.7 |
| Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro 62751 Compare | 83.8 | 81.8 | 80.8 | 98.5 | 85.3 | 65.9 | 89.4 | 99.3 | 78.5 | 77.3 | 93.2 | 16.1 | 46.7 |
| BESTTAB T60 Compare | 82.4 | 80.2 | 80.8 | 42.6 | 86.9 | 88.8 | 74.7 | 0 | 1.2 | 58.6 | 58.4 | 39.6 | 46.7 |
Price
Value & Pricing
From $850
Best Buy 1 offer From $850
Price History
Usage Scores
- Overall67.1
- Reading38.3
- Student63.9
- Business62.9
- Art Design80
- Productivity75.6
- Entertainment72.1
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
Other Configurations21
iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNL3LL/AM18GB512GBSilver$665iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNK3LL/AM18GB512GBSpace Gray$745iPad Pro 12.9" M1Apple M2 8GB512GBSilver$765iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHP43LL/AM116GB2TBSpace Gray$800iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNN3LL/AM116GB1TBSilver$850iPad Pro 12.9" 5Apple M2 8GB256GBSpace Gray$921iPad Pro 12.9" M1Apple M2 16GB1TBSpace Gray$970iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHP53LL/AM116GB2TBSilver$1,000iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHP23LL/AM116GB1TBSilver$1,005
Show all 21 configurations
iPad Pro 5 12.9"Apple M1 8GB128GBSpace Gray$493iPad Pro 12.9-InchApple M1 8GB128GBSilver$535iPad Pro 12.9" MHNH3LL/A-cr3.2 GHz8GB256GBSpace Gray$546iPad Pro 12.9" MHR63LL/A-crApple M2 8GB256GBSpace Gray$549iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNJ3LL/A3.2 GHz8GB256GBSilver$549iPad Pro 2021 12.9-inchApple M2 8GB512GBSpace Gray$569iPad Pro 12.9"Apple8GB128GBSpace Gray$595iPad Pro 12.9"Apple M2 8GB256GBSpace Gray$640iPad Pro 12.9" M1Apple M1 8GB256GBSilver$645iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNP3LL/AM116GB2TBSpace Gray$1,120iPad Pro 12.9" MP663LL/AGX-212JC SOC2TBSpace Gray$1,230iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNQ3LL/AM116GB2TBSilver$1,760
