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iPad Pro Q&A
Update Published May 16, 2024
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What are all the differences between the iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen)? Which is best for my needs?
The iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) models all have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently with current iOS support and more and can be quite helpful to anyone buying or selling one on the used market.
Confusingly, the iPad Pro models released at the same time in 2021 are considered different generations -- "3rd Gen" for models with 11" displays and "5th Gen" for models with 12.9" displays -- but these overall models just vary by display size and quality.
However, there actually are four different iPad Pro models of each display size, as well. Some of the models are sold in different locations and have different connectivity, identifiers, and prices.
EveryiPad.com officially documents the 11" models as the iPad Pro 11" (Wi-Fi Only - 3rd Gen), 11" (Wi-Fi/Cell US - 3rd Gen), 11" (Wi-Fi/Cell Global - 3rd Gen), and 11" (Wi-Fi/Cell China - 3rd Gen) and the 12.9" models as the iPad Pro 12.9" (Wi-Fi Only - 5th Gen), 12.9" (Wi-Fi/Cell US - 5th Gen), 12.9" (Wi-Fi/Cell Global - 5th Gen), and 12.9" (Wi-Fi/Cell China - 5th Gen).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Pro 11" 3rd Gen; iPad Pro 12.9" 5th Gen)
Device Differences
Of course, the larger iPad Pro models are physically larger and weigh more, but both share the same general design -- a glass front with a narrow bezel around the edge, an aluminum back, and flat sides with rounded corners. Case color options include a black front with either a silver colored or darker "Space Gray" back.
Both have high quality displays. Specifically, the 11" models have an LED-backlit 2388x1668 "Liquid Retina" display (264 ppi, 600 nits brightness) whereas the 12.9" models have a mini-LED backlit 2732x2048 "Liquid Retina XDR" display (264 ppi, 1000 nits full-screen brightness, 1600 nits peak HDR brightness, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio).
The 12.9" iPad Pro models have the best display to date in a tablet. It has extremely dark blacks that really pop in person. For those of us who are fans of the smaller iPad Pro, it was a bit of a disappointment that only the larger model receives the XDR display (this was not resolved until 2024 with the introduction of the iPad Pro M4 line).
Both are compatible with the Apple Pencil 2 (A2051, MU8F2AM/A) and size-specific Apple Smart Keyboard Folio and Apple Magic Keyboard. The Apple Magic Keyboard includes an integrated trackpad.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Pro & White Apple Magic Keyboard)
Although they have different specific internal parts, the 2021 iPad Pro models all are powered by an eight-core 3.2 GHz Apple M1 processor (SoC), an eight-core GPU, and a 16-core "Neural Engine" that assists with machine learning and augmented reality (AR). Regardless of display size, if either of these iPad Pro models is configured with 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of storage, it has 8 GB of onboard RAM. If one is configured with 1 TB or 2 TB of storage, it has 16 GB of onboard RAM.
Both of the 2021 iPad Pro models have three cameras -- one 12 megapixel, 1080p front-facing "TrueDepth" camera and dual rear cameras -- a 12 megapixel wide angle lens and a 10 megapixel ultra-wide angle lens that shoot in 4K. The front-facing "TrueDepth" camera introduces a new "Center Stage" feature that automatically pans and zooms to keep subjects in frame during video calls. It's pretty slick.
Other features that the 2021 iPad Pro models all share include LiDAR, "Face ID" authentication, a Thunderbolt / USB 4 port for power and advanced connectivity, dual-band 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) with HT80 with MIMO capability and Bluetooth 5.0. They each have five microphones and a four speaker system, too. Cellular-capable models introduce 5G capability for the first time in the iPad Pro line.
iOS Support Similarities
The 2021 iPad Pro models all initially shipped with iOS 14.5 (iPadOS) and fully support iPadOS 15, iPadOS 16, and iPadOS 17, with the exception of "Reference Mode" for the iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) models.
Identification Differences
It is difficult to use visual identification for different iPad Pro models and impossible to differentiate between models within the same line that have different cellular capabilities.
Accordingly, one of the best ways to identify these models externally is via Model Number. Model numbers are listed in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad Pro:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
Initially, the cellular-equipped models likely will not cross paths because of their different geographic distribution, but over time, they will inevitably find their way around the world.
The 11" and 12.9" iPad Pro models released in 2021 also can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number. The Order Number can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the Wi-Fi only configuration of the iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) in Silver with 2 TB of storage is MHNQ3LL/A.
To track down an exact iPad Pro by a variety of different identifiers, please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.
Connectivity & Battery Life Differences
While using Wi-Fi, the 2021 iPad Pro configurations provide up to of ten hours of runtime, but the cellular data-capable configurations only provide up to nine hours of runtime when using a cellular connection.
All of these cellular-equipped iPad Pro models support A-GPS, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), 4G LTE, but 5G cellular connectivity varies accordingly:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
5G |
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79, n260, n261 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79, n260, n261 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 |
All cellular iPad Pro models ship unlocked. In the United States, the applicable tablet works with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, but some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network.
All of these cellular-equipped iPad Pro models have a Nano SIM card slot. With the exception of iPad Pro models sold only in mainland China (A2460, A2462), they all have a software-based eSIM and support a physical Apple SIM, as well. The models sold in mainland China only have a physical Nano SIM card slot.
iPad Pro 2021 Comparison Chart
The above differences between the 11" iPad Pro (3rd Gen) and the 12.9" iPad Pro (5th Gen) -- as well as US pricing details -- are summarized below:
 11" iPad Pro 3 |
 12.9" iPad Pro 5 |
|
| Display Size: | 11" | 12.9" |
| Display Type: | Liquid Retina | Liquid Retina XDR |
| Resolution: | 2388x1668 | 2732x2048 |
| RAM: | 8 GB; 16 GB | 8 GB; 16 GB |
| Storage Capacity: | 128, 256, 512 GB; 1, 2 TB |
128, 256, 512 GB; 1, 2 TB |
| 5G LTE: | Yes | Yes |
| Front Camera: | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Center Stage: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Camera: | 10+12 MP | 10+12 MP |
| Video Recording: | 4K | 4K |
| Thunderbolt / USB 4: | Yes | Yes |
| Face ID: | Yes | Yes |
| LiDAR: | Yes | Yes |
| Apple SIM: | Embedded | Embedded |
| SIM Card: | Nano | Nano |
| Original iOS: | iOS 14.5 | iOS 14.5 |
| Maximum iOS: | Current | Current |
| Color Options: | Silver Gray |
Silver Gray |
| Battery: | 28.65 W Hr | 40.88 W Hr |
| Height: | 9.74 in. | 11.04 in. |
| Width: | 7.02 in. | 8.46 in. |
| Depth/Thinness: | 0.23 in. | 0.25 in. |
| Weight: | 1.03-1.04 lb. | 1.5-1.51 lb. |
| Smart Keyboard: | Small | Large |
| Apple Pencil 2: | Yes | Yes |
| Original Price (Wi-Fi): | US$799 US$899 US$1099 US$1499 US$1899 |
US$1099 US$1199 US$1399 US$1799 US$2199 |
| Original Price (5G): | US$999 US$1099 US$1299 US$1699 US$2099 |
US$1299 US$1399 US$1599 US$1999 US$2399 |
For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPad as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPad.com.
So, which of these iPad Pro models is best for my needs?
Ignoring subsequent models, it is a bit of a difficult decision between the 2021 iPad Pro models --- the iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) -- because they differ not only by display size and price, but also by display quality. The Liquid Retina display in the smaller model is high quality, but the Liquid Retina XDR display in the larger tablet is next level, as the kids say.
If you want the best quality display possible in an iPad from 2021, you have to get the larger 12.9" model, even if you prefer the relative portability of the smaller one. Personally, EveryMac.com prefers the 11" option overall and thinks it is best for someone who is always on the go and who either has smaller hands or doesn't do a lot of typing. If you want the best screen possible and do a lot of typing, and price is no object, the 12.9" iPad Pro is your best bet. If you want a better quality display in an 11" iPad Pro, you would be better off buying a newer iPad Pro M4.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).
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