The iPad Pros are for people who want the fastest and most powerful Apple tablets available. It’s been more than a year since the last update: both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch Pros received significant upgrades in April 2021, bringing the M1 chip to the platform. But is now still a good time to buy one?
Update 10/05/22: We expect updated iPad Pro models may be announced this month, or at least very soon, so our recommendation is to WAIT.
iPad Pro: Pricing and specs
Last update: April 2021
Apple introduced the 12.9-inch iPad Pro back in November 2015, followed by the smaller 9.7-inch Pro a year later. Since then, the series has gone through several revisions, with the smaller device moving up to an 11-inch panel in 2018. Now, after being announced in April 2021 and released the following month, the fifth-gen iPad Pros are incredibly powerful devices that Apple is positioning as a potential replacement for your laptop.
The two devices share the majority of their tech specs, including M1 processors, up to 2TB of storage, quad speakers, 120Hz refresh rate ProMotion displays, 12MP f/1.8 Wide and 10MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide cameras, 4K/60fps video recording, 12MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide front-facing camera, Face ID, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 and a LiDAR scanner, plus support for the second-gen Apple Pencil and Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
Here’s how the two models are priced on the Apple Store:
iPad Pro 11-inch (2021)
- 128GB: $799/£749
- 256GB: $899/£849
- 512GB: $1,099/£1,049
- 1TB: $1,499/£1,399
- 2TB: $1,899/£1,749
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021)
- 128GB: $1,099/£999
- 256GB: $1,199/£1,099
- 512GB: $1,399/£1,299
- 1TB: $1,799/£1,649
- 2TB: $2,199/£1,999
You may be able to find them for a lower price, however, if you buy from another retailer. Check our roundup of the best iPad deals for the lowest prices right now.
iPad Pro: Why you should buy
These are the fastest and most capable iPads someone can buy, so if you really needs the fastest iPad out there right now then go ahead and buy. With an upgrade expected soon, you should probably hold out unless you’re really desperate.
iPad Pro: Why you should wait
Rumor has it that new iPad Pros will be announced in October 2022, or soon after. We haven’t heard of any major changes in the design or features, but the processor is said to get a bump from the M1 to the M2. Can you imagine spending $1,000 or more on an iPad Pro only for a faster model to come out in two or three weeks? Best to hold off for now.
Read up on the new iPad Pro for the latest rumors.
Macworld recommends: WAIT
Naturally, we don’t know if an updated iPad Pro is really coming until Apple officially announces it, but the rumors have pinned October for an M2 upgrade for quite some time. And it has been 18 months since the last iPad Pro update, so it’s about time.