Apple iPad Pro 5 12.9" 2021, M1, 8GB, 128GB, Cellular, Space Gray
The M1 chip with its 8-core CPU and GPU powers the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, which sustains 1000 nits and peaks at 1600 nits with ProMotion 120Hz refresh, P3 wide color, and True Tone for precise visual work. Its 5G connectivity, LiDAR scanner, and 10758mAh battery with USB-C charging add robust mobile and depth-sensing capabilities. This tablet is best for digital illustrators and photo editors who need color accuracy, low latency Apple Pencil input, and high brightness for HDR content.
CPU Apple M1
RAM 8 GB
Storage 128 GB
Screen 12.9" 2048x2732
OS iPadOS
stylus Yes
cellular Yes
69 Overall Score
No current retailer price
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong screen (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong battery (89th percentile) 89th
- Strong feature (87th percentile) 87th
Cons
- Below average affordability (0th percentile)
- Below average social proof (20th percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple M1 |
| Cores | 8 |
| GPU | Apple 8-core |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
| Expandable | No |
Display
| Size | 12.9" |
| Resolution | 2048x2732 |
| Panel | Liquid Retina XDR |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 1600 nits |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| USB-C | 1 |
| Cellular | Yes |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
| Stylus Model | Apple Pencil |
| Fingerprint Reader | No |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
Physical
| OS | iPadOS |
vs Competition
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro 5 12.9" | Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition | Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus ZAEG0096US | Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 | Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro 62751 | BESTTAB T60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M1 | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ | 3000 MHz | AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 32 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 1024 | 256 | 512 | 512 | 256 |
| Screen | 12.9" 2048x2732 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 11" 2560x1600 | 11.2" 3200x2136 | 12" |
| OS | iPadOS | Windows 11 Pro | Android 14 | Android 16 | Android 14 | Android 16 |
| Stylus | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Cellular | true | false | false | false | false | true |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 47 | - | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | CPU | GPU | RAM | Screen | Battery | Feature | Storage | Sharpness | Connectivity | Social Proof | Affordability | Reading Battery | Water Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPad Pro 5 12.9" | 84.8 | 83.9 | 66 | 98.7 | 89.4 | 87.1 | 66.6 | 67.4 | 96 | 19.9 | 0 | 54.6 | 46.7 |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition Compare | 94 | 94.6 | 98.9 | 98.2 | 98.6 | 84.9 | 97.8 | 78.2 | 92.8 | 48.2 | 0.8 | 75.1 | 46.7 |
| Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus ZAEG0096US Compare | 80.9 | 78.9 | 92.6 | 97.1 | 88.9 | 97 | 83.5 | 87.5 | 92.8 | 90.2 | 21.7 | 52.2 | 46.7 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Compare | 82.1 | 79.9 | 80.8 | 93.5 | 84 | 99.4 | 89.4 | 89.2 | 63 | 93.2 | 13.8 | 70.3 | 97.5 |
| Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro 62751 Compare | 83.8 | 81.8 | 80.8 | 98.5 | 85.3 | 65.9 | 89.4 | 99.3 | 77.3 | 93.2 | 16.1 | 71.7 | 46.7 |
| BESTTAB T60 Compare | 82.4 | 80.3 | 80.8 | 42.6 | 86.9 | 88.8 | 74.7 | 0 | 58.7 | 58.4 | 39.5 | 70.3 | 46.7 |
Usage Scores
- Overall68.7
- Reading41.2
- Student64.7
- Business73
- Art Design79.5
- Productivity76.1
- Entertainment75.4
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"Apple M2 8GB256GBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" M1Apple M1 8GB256GBSilveriPad Pro 12.9"Apple8GB128GBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHP53LL/AM116GB2TBSilveriPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNK3LL/AM18GB512GBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNP3LL/AM116GB2TBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" MHNH3LL/A-cr3.2 GHz8GB256GBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9M116GB1TBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHP43LL/AM116GB2TBSpace Gray
Show all 21 configurations
iPad Pro 2021 12.9-inchApple M2 8GB512GBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHP23LL/AM116GB1TBSilveriPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNQ3LL/AM116GB2TBSilveriPad Pro 12.9" M1Apple M2 16GB1TBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNL3LL/AM18GB512GBSilveriPad Pro 12.9" MHR63LL/A-crApple M2 8GB256GBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNN3LL/AM116GB1TBSilveriPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNJ3LL/A3.2 GHz8GB256GBSilveriPad Pro 12.9" MP663LL/AGX-212JC SOC2TBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" 5Apple M2 8GB256GBSpace GrayiPad Pro 12.9" M1Apple M2 8GB512GBSilveriPad Pro 12.9-InchApple M1 8GB128GBSilver
