Apple Ipad Pro 2nd Gen Vs 3rd Gen

Apple during Tuesday's Leap Forwards result announced exciting new devices and technologies. Amidst those was a refresh for both the eleven-inch and 12.9-inch the iPad Pro tablets – now dubbed the three^rd generation and 5^th generation respectively for the yr of 2021.

There'due south a lot to take in, and that's why in this slice, we'll compare the features and technical specifications of the 3^rd generation eleven-inch iPad Pro and 5^th generation iPad Pro of 2021 with the features and technical specifications of the 2^nd generation 11-inch iPad Pro and four^th generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro of 2020.

Without further ado, let'due south go started in comparing this yr's iPad Pro refresh to the iPad Pro tablets that Apple introduced last year:

Brandish

Mayhap ane of the most distinguishable features of the 2021 iPad Pro refresh that will grab whatever user's eye is the novel display that the tablet now possesses – or at least, for the 12.ix-inch model, that is.

12.9-inch

12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation/2021): Liquid Retina XDR with mini-LED, ProMotion technology, and TrueTone
12.ix-inch iPad Pro (4th generation/2020): Liquid Retina LCD with ProMotion technology, and TrueTone

11-inch

eleven-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation/2021): Liquid Retina LCD with ProMotion technology, and TrueTone
eleven-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation/2020): Liquid Retina LCD with ProMotion technology, and TrueTone

Processor & GPU

A less discernible difference at first glance, just more noticeable with regard to performance, is the upgraded SoC provided by the 2021 iPad Pro refresh, which now incorporates Apple tree's M1 flake – the same found in many of Apple's Mac computers.

12.ix-inch

12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation/2021): viii-cadre M1 scrap with next-generation sixteen-cadre Neural Engine
12.ix-inch iPad Pro (4th generation/2020):viii-cadre A12Z Bionic chip with Neural Engine

11-inch

eleven-inch iPad Pro (tertiary generation/2021): 8-core M1 chip with next-generation 16-core Neural Engine
11-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation/2020): 8-core A12Z Bionic bit with Neural Engine

Storage

Apple doubled down on its largest storage space offering this year, which was a smart move given that more and more professionals are turning to the iPad Pro platform for projects involving larger file sizes.

12.ix-inch

12.9-inch iPad Pro (fifth generation/2021): Available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB
12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation/2020): Available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

11-inch

11-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation/2021): Available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB
11-inch iPad Pro (second generation/2020): Available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

Memory

Apple is advertising the amount of RAM provided by certain models of the iPad Pro for the starting time fourth dimension starting this twelvemonth, but every bit you might come to await, more RAM is only available on the more expensive 1 & 2TB storage models.

12.nine-inch

12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation/2021): 8GB RAM for 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models, 16GB RAM for 1TB and 2TB models
12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation/2020): 6GB RAM for 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models

11-inch

11-inch iPad Pro (tertiary generation/2021): 8GB RAM for 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models, 16GB RAM for 1TB and 2TB models
11-inch iPad Pro (second generation/2020): 6GB RAM for 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models

Rear Camera

The specs of Apple's rear-facing camera are nearly identical in this year's iPad Pro refresh as they were in final year'due south model.

12.ix-inch

12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation/2021): 12 megapixel wide camera and x megapixel ultra-wide photographic camera
12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation/2020): 12 megapixel wide photographic camera and 10 megapixel ultra-wide photographic camera

11-inch

eleven-inch iPad Pro (third generation/2021): 12 megapixel wide camera and 10 megapixel ultra-wide camera
11-inch iPad Pro (second generation/2020): 12 megapixel broad camera and 10 megapixel ultra-wide camera

Front Camera

While the rear-facing camera didn't change much, the same isn't true nearly the front. Apple tree is proving significant updates to the front-facing camera in this year'due south iPad Pro refresh when compared with last year's model.

12.nine-inch

12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation/2021): 12 megapixel TrueDepth camera system ƒ/2.4 aperture, Face ID, ultra-broad, and 2x optical zoom
12.9-inch iPad Pro (fourth generation/2020): 7 megapixel TrueDepth camera with ƒ/ii.2 aperture and Face ID

xi-inch

xi-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation/2021): 12 megapixel TrueDepth photographic camera system with ƒ/ii.four discontinuity, Confront ID, ultra-broad, and 2x optical zoom
11-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation/2020): seven megapixel TrueDepth camera with ƒ/two.four discontinuity and Confront ID

I/O

Apple is upgrading the way nosotros connect devices and accessories to our iPad Pro in a big mode this yr, and much of that comes by way of the speedy new Thunderbolt and USB four-in-one port. This is the starting time year that Thunderbolt has made its way to the iPad Pro.

12.9-inch

12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation/2021): USB C port with support for Thunderbolt and USB 4
12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation/2020): USB C port (USB 3)

11-inch

11-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation/2021): USB C port with back up for Thunderbolt and USB 4
11-inch iPad Pro (second generation/2020): USB C port (USB 3)

Cellular

As expected, the latest iPad Pro is capable of connecting to 5G networks – both sub-6GHz networks and the much faster mmWave variant – in addition to 4G LTE. This compares to last year'southward model existence 4G LTE-ready but.

12.9-inch

12.ix-inch iPad Pro (5th generation/2021): Super-fast downloads and loftier quality streaming over 5G, and 4G LTE where 5G isn't available
12.9-inch iPad Pro (fourth generation/2020): 4G LTE

11-inch

eleven-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation/2021): Super-fast downloads and high quality streaming over 5G, and 4G LTE where 5G isn't available
11-inch iPad Pro (second generation/2020): 4G LTE

Other notable differences

These features aren't as important to all users every bit they would be to a niche few, then we'll list them out to make consuming the information easier.

2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro is .5mm thicker and slightly heavier than its predecessor considering of the inclusion of the mini-LED brandish
2021 12.nine-inch iPad Pro reaches a max total-screen brightness of one,000 nits, or top full-screen brightness of 1,600 nits compared to the previous max brightness of 600 nits at all times
2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro boasts a one,000,000:1 contrast ratio whereas other models sport a 1,400:1 contrast ratio
2021 12.9-inch & 11-inch iPad Pro back up extended dynamic range up to 30fps (front and rear cameras) whereas 2020 models do not
2021 12.9-inch & eleven-inch iPad Pro support Centre Phase, assuasive the ultra-broad front photographic camera to pan and follow the user as they move around in video
2021 12.nine-inch & 11-inch iPad Pro back up 32 different bands of Gigabit LTE, whereas 2020 models only support 30 bands of Gigabit-class LTE

Conclusion

The 2021 iPad Pro lineup offers an enticing crash-land over the 2020 lineup, and maybe even more-so if you accept one of the older 2018 iPad Pro models. All of your existing accessories including the Smart Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, and Apple Pencil 2 will continue to work with the latest iPad Pro lineup.

Are you excited about all of the hardware changes Apple is packing into this twelvemonth's iPad Pro refresh? Be certain to let u.s.a. know in the comments section downwards below.