Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) vs. (2021): A Detailed Comparison

The iPad Pro 12.9 has long been the pinnacle of Apple's tablet offerings, and the 2022 model brings a significant upgrade with the M2 chip. But is the jump from the already impressive 2021 model worth the extra investment? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The 2022 iPad Pro 12.9 offers a noticeable performance boost thanks to the M2 chip and slightly improved display. However, the 2021 model remains a fantastic device, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. The 2022 is for power users; otherwise, the 2021 is a great value.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022)	Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (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 - A2379, A2461, A2462
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 - A2379
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 - A2461, A2462

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)	280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	682 g (Wi-Fi), 685 g (5G) (1.50 lb)	682 g (Wi-Fi), 685 g (5G) (1.50 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)	2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density)
Size	12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)	12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak)	Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak)

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 10758 mAh (40.88 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Silver, Space Gray	Silver, Space Gray
Models	A2764, A2437, A2766, A2436, iPad14,5, iPad14,6	A2379, A2461, A2462, iPad13,8, iPad13,9, iPad13,10, iPad13,11
Price	About 1450 EUR	About 1200 EUR

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022)

Significantly faster M2 chip
Slightly brighter display
Excellent performance for demanding tasks
Premium build quality

Higher price
Incremental upgrade over the 2021 model for casual users

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)

Excellent value for money
Powerful M1 chip
Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display
Long battery life

Slightly older technology
Not as powerful as the M2 chip

Display Comparison

Both models feature a stunning 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion (120Hz adaptive refresh rate). The 2022 model has a slightly brighter display, particularly in HDR content, but the difference is subtle. Both offer exceptional color accuracy and sharpness.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is largely unchanged between the two models. Both feature a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera with a LiDAR scanner. Image quality is excellent, and the LiDAR scanner enhances AR experiences and improves low-light autofocus.

Performance

The M2 chip in the 2022 iPad Pro provides a significant performance leap over the M1. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved performance in demanding creative applications. While the M1 is still very capable, the M2 offers a noticeable edge for those pushing the tablet to its limits.

Battery Life

Battery life is comparable between the two models, offering around 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. The M2 chip is slightly more efficient, but the difference is minimal in real-world usage.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022)? Creative professionals, power users, and those needing the absolute best performance for demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. Who should buy the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)? Students, casual users, and anyone seeking a premium tablet experience without the top-tier price tag. It's still incredibly capable.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the M2 chip a huge upgrade over the M1?

For casual users, the difference might not be immediately noticeable. However, for professionals and those running demanding applications, the M2 offers a significant performance boost.

❓ Which iPad Pro has better resale value?

The newer 2022 iPad Pro will generally hold its value better than the 2021 model, but both are premium devices and retain decent resale value.