Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) vs iPad Pro 11 (2021): The Ultimate Tablet Battle
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) offers a noticeable performance boost thanks to the M2 chip and a stunning mini-LED display. However, the iPad Pro 11 (2021) remains a powerful and more affordable option, especially for those prioritizing portability and a slightly lower price point. The 12.9” wins on raw power and display, but the 11” is a fantastic value.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) | 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 - A2764, A2437 | 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2764 | 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, 5G | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2437, A2766 | 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 | 2022, October 18 | 2021, April 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 26 | 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 (4x3.49 GHz performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | Apple M1 |
| GPU | Apple GPU (10-core graphics) | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) |
| OS | iPadOS 16.1, 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, ProRes | 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, HDR | 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 | 5.3, 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 3), DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, compass, 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 | A2764, A2437, A2766, A2436, iPad14,5, iPad14,6 | A2301, A2459, A2460, iPad13,4, iPad13,5, iPad13,6, iPad13,7 |
| Price | About 1450 EUR | About 870 EUR |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022)
- Blazing-fast M2 chip
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display
- LiDAR scanner for AR
- Excellent camera system
- Premium build quality
- Higher price point
- Larger and heavier than the 11-inch model
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021)
- Powerful M1 chip
- Excellent Liquid Retina display
- More portable and lightweight
- More affordable
- All-day battery life
- Not as powerful as the M2
- Lacks mini-LED display
- No LiDAR scanner
Display Comparison
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2022) boasts a Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED backlighting, offering incredible contrast, brightness, and HDR performance. The 11-inch iPad Pro (2021) has a Liquid Retina display, which is still excellent, but lacks the mini-LED's dynamic range. Color accuracy is superb on both, but the 12.9” offers a more immersive visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both iPads feature a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera with a 120° field of view. The 12.9-inch model has a LiDAR scanner for improved AR experiences and more accurate depth sensing. Image quality is excellent on both, but the LiDAR adds a slight advantage to the 12.9-inch.
Performance
The M2 chip in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2022) provides a tangible performance upgrade over the M1 in the 11-inch model. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved performance in demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. Both are incredibly responsive, but the M2 has a clear edge.
Battery Life
Both iPads offer all-day battery life, typically lasting around 10 hours of mixed usage. Battery capacity is slightly higher in the 12.9-inch model to compensate for the larger display, but real-world usage is comparable.
Buying Guide
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is ideal for creative professionals, power users, and anyone who values the absolute best display quality and performance. The iPad Pro 11 (2021) is a great choice for students, professionals needing a portable device, and those seeking a premium tablet experience without the top-tier price tag.