Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) vs iPad Pro 11 (2021): The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
Both offer blazing-fast M1 performance. The 12.9-inch wins with its stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, ideal for creative professionals. The 11-inch is more portable and slightly more affordable, making it a great choice for students and general users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) | Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 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 | 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 - A2301, A2459, A2460 |
| 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, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2301 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, 5G | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2461, A2462 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2459, A2460 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2021, April 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 21 | Available. Released 2021, May 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 in) | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 682 g (Wi-Fi), 685 g (5G) (1.50 lb) | 466 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (5G) (1.03 lb) |
| Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 366.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak) | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Apple M1 |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) |
| OS | iPadOS 14.5.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | iPadOS 14.5.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM | 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, 125˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, barometer | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Po 10758 mAh (40.88 Wh) | Li-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray |
| Models | A2379, A2461, A2462, iPad13,8, iPad13,9, iPad13,10, iPad13,11 | A2301, A2459, A2460, iPad13,4, iPad13,5, iPad13,6, iPad13,7 |
| Price | About 1200 EUR | About 870 EUR |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display
- Larger screen for productivity
- Powerful M1 chip
- Excellent camera system
- ProMotion technology (120Hz refresh rate)
- Higher price
- Less portable than the 11-inch model
- Slightly shorter battery life (potentially)
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021)
- More portable and lightweight
- Slightly more affordable
- Powerful M1 chip
- Excellent camera system
- ProMotion technology (120Hz refresh rate)
- Display lacks XDR capabilities
- Smaller screen for productivity
- Can feel cramped for some tasks
Display Comparison
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro boasts a Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED backlighting, offering incredible brightness, contrast, and HDR performance. The 11-inch has a Liquid Retina display, which is still excellent but lacks the XDR's advanced capabilities. The 12.9-inch's larger screen also provides more workspace for multitasking and creative tasks.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is similar on both models. They feature a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera, along with a LiDAR scanner for improved AR experiences. Image quality is excellent, especially in well-lit conditions. Video recording capabilities are also top-notch.
Performance
Both devices share the same powerful Apple M1 chip, delivering exceptional performance for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and running complex apps. Real-world performance differences are minimal, with both handling everything thrown at them with ease. Thermal management is generally good on both.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable on both devices, offering around 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. The 12.9-inch model might see slightly shorter battery life due to its larger display, but the difference is generally negligible.
Buying Guide
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is perfect for creative professionals (photographers, video editors, graphic designers) who need a large, high-quality display. The iPad Pro 11 (2021) is ideal for students, business users, and anyone who prioritizes portability and a more manageable price point.