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Written by Evany

Compare the Apple iPad Pro (2021) to the Apple iPad Pro (2020)

On 20 April 2021, Apple announced the successor of the Apple iPad Pro (2020), called the Apple iPad Pro (2021). The design has stayed the same. The main differences are the Liquid Retina XDR screen, the M1 processor, and the 5G support. In this article, we'll look at the differences and similarities of both tablets.

Compare the iPad Pro (2021) to the iPad Pro (2020)

The Apple iPad Pro (2021) Apple iPad Pro (2020)
Screen 11-inch Liquid Retina or 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display 11-inch or 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display
Processor Apple M1 A12Z
Unlock Face ID Face ID
Connectors USB-C with Thunderbolt USB-C
Compatibility accessories Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard
Rear camera 12-megapixel and 10-megapixel wide-angle lens 12-megapixel and 10-megapixel wide-angle lens
Front camera 12-megapixel wide-angle lens 7 megapixels
Storage capacity 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Connection options WiFi, WiFi + 4G/5G WiFi, WiFi + 4G
Colors Space Gray, Silver Space Gray, Silver

The screen

Screen Apple iPad Pro (2021)

Apple iPad Pro (2021): 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display

The iPad Pro (2021) 11-inches has the same Liquid Retina display as the iPad Pro (2020). The 12.9-inch version did get an upgrade and has a sharper and brighter Liquid Retina XDR display. The contrast of this screen is even stronger, so colors really come into their own. With 1600 nits, the 12.9-inch screen is a lot brighter than the screen of the iPad Pro (2020). The 120Hz refresh rate is the same as that of the 2020 version. This technology ensures that games and animations are displayed smoothly, for example.

Screen Apple iPad Pro (2020)

Apple iPad Pro (2020): 11 or 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display

The iPad Pro (2020) has a Liquid Retina display. Both screens have a brightness of 600 nits, which is 400 nits less than the 12.9 screen of the iPad Pro (2021). As a result, it isn't as easy to read in bright light. This iPad has the same ProMotion technology as the iPad Pro (2021). Thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, you can effortlessly scroll through web pages with a lot of text on this tablet as well and it displays animations smoothly.

The processor

Camera rear Apple iPad Pro (2021)

Apple iPad Pro (2021): Apple M1 chip

The Apple iPad Pro (2021) has the most powerful processor of any iPad up to now, namely the Apple M1. You can also find this chip in the MacBook (2020) and iMac (2021). Thanks to this powerful and energy-efficient chip, demanding augmented reality apps and the latest 3D games run more smoothly than on the iPad Pro (2020). You can navigate through all your apps super fast and multitask without difficulty. As a result, you can use a demanding Adobe app at the same time as Spotify and you can easily switch to other apps in the mean time.

Camera rear Apple iPad Pro (2020)

Apple iPad Pro (2020): A12Z Bionic chip

The iPad Pro (2020) has an A12Z Bionic chip. This chip is part of an older generation. You can also effortlessly use demanding apps and 3D games on the iPad (2020), though they won't run as smoothly as on the iPad Pro (2021). You can multitask and switch between different apps quickly, but not as quickly as with the new version. Keep in mind that the speed decreases as apps continue to develop. As a result, the iPad Pro (2020) isn't as future-proof.

Connector and accessories

Magic Keyboard Apple Pencil iPad Pro (2021)

Apple iPad Pro (2021): USB-C connector with Thunderbolt

The iPad Pro (2021) has a Smart Connector and a USB-C connector with Thunderbolt. This makes the data transfer faster and allows you to connect and external monitor, for example. You can connect your Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard to the Smart Connector. The 12.9-inch version is 0.5mm thicker than the 2020 version. That's why a Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro (2020) doesn't fit on this tablet. The new version of the Magic Keyboard is now available in white as well and is also suitable for the iPad Pro (2018/2020).

Magic Keyboard Apple Pencil iPad Pro (2020)

Apple iPad Pro (2020): USB-C connector without Thunderbolt

The iPad Pro (2020) also has a USB-C connector, but without Thunderbolt. As a result, you can't connect an external monitor for extra working comfort. Just like the iPad Pro (2021), this tablet has a Smart Connector that you can connect your Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard too. On this tablet, you can bring to life all your creative ideas with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation). It'll just work slightly less smooth then it would on the iPad Pro (2021).

Versions

Versions Apple iPad Pro (2021)

Apple iPad Pro (2021): 5G support and 2TB storage

The iPad Pro (2021) is available in an 11-inch and 12.9-inch screen size. You have a lot of options when it comes to storage capacity, namely 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. The main difference compared to its predecessor is the 5G support. This way, you're guaranteed to have a super fast and stable internet connection in places without WiFi in the future. If that isn't what you're looking for, you can choose the version that only supports WiFi. The iPad Pro (2021) is available in the colors Space Gray and Silver.

Versions Apple iPad Pro (2020)

Apple iPad Pro (2020): 4G support

When it comes to design, the iPad Pro (2020) is identical to the 2021 version. The tablet just isn't available with 2TB. The Apple iPad Pro (2020) supports 4G. At the moment, you don't notice a lot of difference in speed when you use a mobile data plan, but that'll change in the future. 4G will be a lot slower. Just like the iPad Pro (2021), this tablet is also available in a version that only supports WiFi. The 2020 version is also available in Space Gray.

Conclusion

Both tables are among the best of their kind. Do you edit a lot of photos and videos and want the best possible screen? Choose the iPad Pro (2021) 12.9 inches. The Liquid Retina XDR display is brighter and the contrast is higher than the screen of its predecessor. The M1 chip makes the 2021 version more powerful, so demanding photo and video editing apps and 3D games run smoothly. If you don't really use the tablet to edit multimedia and instead want to watch movies and series in high quality, choose the iPad Pro (2020).

Evany
Article by:
Evany Apple Expert.
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