How fast are the iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier iPad Pro models and the iPad Air?

In the company press release for the iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) models released in 2021, Apple proudly declares the tablets to be the "most powerful and advanced iPad Pro ever" and specifically claims:

The breakthrough M1 chip takes the industry-leading performance of iPad Pro to an entirely new level. The 8-core CPU design features the world's fastest CPU cores in low-power silicon -- delivering up to 50 percent faster CPU performance than A12Z Bionic. The 8-core GPU is in a class of its own, delivering up to 40 percent faster GPU performance. This combination of CPU and graphics performance on iPad Pro widens its lead as the fastest device of its kind. Powerful custom technologies, including a next-generation 16-core Apple Neural Engine, an advanced image signal processor (ISP), a unified, high-bandwidth memory architecture with up to 16 GB of memory, 2x faster storage, and up to 2 TB capacity, make iPad Pro more capable than ever.

With a definite performance claim, it is a safe bet that these iPad Pro models are dramatically faster than their predecessors.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Pro 12.9" 5th Gen - 2021)

As the EveryiPad.com comparison of the iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) explains, both tablets have the same 3.2 GHz Apple M1 processor and architecture, so overall performance should be similar. However, regardless of display size, models with 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of storage have 8 GB of onboard RAM whereas models with 1 TB or 2 TB of storage have 16 GB of onboard RAM, which may improve performance at the high-end for apps that can utilize the extra RAM.

Although Apple's official performance claim is impressive, independent benchmarks still can be worthwhile to objectively compare the performance of the 2021 iPad Pro models to earlier iPad Pro models and other iOS devices, too.

Benchmark Performance Overview

For a helpful general overview of the performance differences between the iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) compared to each other as well as other iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices, Everyi.com's own Ultimate iComparison makes it quick to compare side-by-side Geekbench benchmark averages for hundreds of possible performance comparisons.

The Geekbench 5 benchmark confirms that the two iPad Pro models released in 2021 essentially are the same speed.

Compared to other recent iOS devices, these iPad Pro models perform accordingly:

iPad Pro 2021 Compared To:	Percent Faster (Single Core)	Percent Faster (Multicore)
iPad Pro 11"/12.9" (2020)	53%	55%
iPad Pro 11"/12.9" (2018)	54%	56%
iPad Pro 12.9" (2nd Gen)	105%	215%
iPad Pro 12.9" (Original)	164%	498%
iPad Air 4th Gen	8%	73%
iPad 8th Gen	54%	237%
iPhone 12	8%	81%

With a review of the above, you can see that the Geekbench 5 benchmark shows the iPad Pro 2021 models are more than 50% faster than their predecessors -- as Apple claims -- as well as notably faster than other current and recent iPad models, as well.

However, the much cheaper iPad Air 4th Gen holds up pretty well in single core tasks. The iPad Pro 2021 models are only 8% faster than the iPad Air 4, but cost at least 33% more (US$200). However, the iPad Air 4 only has a six-core processor whereas the iPad Pro 2021 models have an eight-core processor and are much faster in multicore tasks, accordingly.

Performance Summary

Ultimately, the iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) models released in 2021 are the fastest iPad models Apple ever has made and there is a substantial speed boost compared to their predecessors and all other iPad models available at the time they were released.

In addition to a performance boost, the iPad Pro 2021 models also have the option of more RAM and storage, a better camera system, and a faster port (Thunderbolt / USB 4). Models with cellular networking support add 5G for the first time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Pro models with free shipping across the US.

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.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City may have used iPad Pro models in stock, as well. All Macs and devices are available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Also see: 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?