IPad Pro 12.9 (2021) Vs (2020): What's The Difference?
Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into a comparison that many of you have been asking about: the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 model versus its 2020 predecessor. If you're on the fence about upgrading or just curious about what's new, you've come to the right place. Let's break down everything from display and performance to camera and battery life, so you can make an informed decision. Let's get started!
Design and Display: A Visual Feast?
When comparing the design and display of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch models from 2021 and 2020, you'll notice some significant differences, particularly in display technology. The 2021 iPad Pro introduces a Liquid Retina XDR display, which uses mini-LED technology. This results in a dramatically improved viewing experience, characterized by deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and an incredible 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. This enhanced contrast ratio makes images and videos pop with vibrant colors and stunning clarity. The peak brightness can reach up to 1600 nits for HDR content, making it ideal for professionals working with HDR video and photography. The ProMotion technology, which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz, ensures smooth scrolling and responsiveness, further enhancing the visual experience. All these display enhancements contribute to a more immersive and visually appealing experience, especially when viewing HDR content or playing graphics-intensive games.
On the other hand, the 2020 iPad Pro features a standard Liquid Retina display. While it's still an excellent display with great color accuracy and brightness, it doesn't quite match the visual fidelity of the 2021 model. The 2020 version offers a peak brightness of 600 nits, which is suitable for most indoor and outdoor conditions, but it lacks the extreme dynamic range of the XDR display. It also supports ProMotion technology, providing smooth scrolling and responsiveness, but the overall visual impact is less striking compared to the mini-LED display. The display on the 2020 model is still sharp, vibrant, and color-accurate, making it a great choice for everyday use and professional tasks. However, the 2021 model's display enhancements offer a noticeable upgrade, especially for users who prioritize visual quality and HDR performance.
In terms of design, both models share a similar aesthetic with slim bezels, a sleek aluminum enclosure, and squared-off edges. The dimensions are nearly identical, though the 2021 model is slightly thicker to accommodate the new display technology. This difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Both models are available in Silver and Space Gray finishes, maintaining a consistent and premium look. The overall build quality is excellent in both models, providing a solid and durable feel. The design continuity ensures that accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil are compatible with both versions, making it easier for users to upgrade without replacing their existing peripherals. While the design remains largely unchanged, the internal enhancements, particularly the display technology, set the 2021 model apart, offering a significantly improved visual experience.
Performance: M1 vs A12Z Bionic
When it comes to performance, the difference between the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 and 2020 models is like night and day, primarily due to their respective chipsets. The 2021 iPad Pro is powered by the Apple M1 chip, which is a game-changer. This chip, previously found in MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini models, brings a massive leap in performance and efficiency to the iPad Pro. The M1 features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, delivering up to 50% faster CPU performance and up to 40% faster GPU performance compared to the previous generation. This means everything from multitasking and running demanding apps to gaming and video editing is significantly smoother and faster. The M1 chip also includes a 16-core Neural Engine, which accelerates machine learning tasks, enhancing features like image processing, voice recognition, and augmented reality experiences.
The 2020 iPad Pro, on the other hand, is equipped with the A12Z Bionic chip. While the A12Z Bionic is still a powerful chip, it doesn't quite match the capabilities of the M1. The A12Z Bionic features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, delivering excellent performance for most tasks. It can handle multitasking, run demanding apps, and play graphics-intensive games with ease. However, it lacks the raw power and efficiency of the M1 chip. The A12Z Bionic also includes a Neural Engine, which enhances machine learning tasks, but it is not as advanced as the 16-core Neural Engine in the M1. The A12Z Bionic is a capable chip that provides a smooth and responsive user experience, but the M1 represents a significant upgrade in terms of overall performance and capabilities.
In real-world usage, the performance differences are noticeable. The M1-powered iPad Pro handles complex tasks like 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and running multiple professional apps simultaneously with greater speed and efficiency. The M1 chip also enables features like Center Stage, which automatically adjusts the camera to keep you in frame during video calls. The increased performance also translates to faster app launch times, smoother animations, and improved responsiveness. The 2020 iPad Pro can still perform these tasks, but it may take longer and may not be as smooth, especially when dealing with large files or complex projects. The M1 chip's advanced architecture and enhanced capabilities make the 2021 iPad Pro a powerhouse for creative professionals and power users who demand the best possible performance. The M1 chip not only offers faster processing speeds but also provides better power efficiency, leading to longer battery life during intensive tasks. This makes the 2021 iPad Pro a more versatile and capable device for both work and play.
Camera Capabilities: What's New?
Regarding camera capabilities, both the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 and 2020 models share a similar setup, but the 2021 version introduces a notable feature: Center Stage. The 2020 iPad Pro features a dual-camera system with a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera. It also includes a LiDAR Scanner, which enhances augmented reality experiences by accurately measuring distances to objects in the environment. The camera system in the 2020 model is capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, with features like Smart HDR and 4K video recording at up to 60fps. The LiDAR Scanner also improves autofocus performance in low-light conditions and enables more realistic AR effects.
The 2021 iPad Pro retains the same dual-camera setup and LiDAR Scanner as its predecessor, but the addition of Center Stage is a significant improvement. Center Stage uses the Ultra Wide camera and machine learning to automatically keep you in the frame during video calls. As you move around, the camera intelligently adjusts to keep you centered, making it ideal for video conferencing and online collaboration. If other people join the call, the camera automatically zooms out to include them in the frame. This feature is powered by the M1 chip's Neural Engine, which provides the necessary processing power for real-time face tracking and intelligent framing. Center Stage is compatible with a wide range of video conferencing apps, including FaceTime, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, making it a versatile tool for remote communication.
In terms of image quality, both models produce excellent results. The 12MP Wide camera captures sharp and detailed photos with accurate colors, while the 10MP Ultra Wide camera allows you to capture wider scenes and creative perspectives. The Smart HDR feature enhances dynamic range, ensuring that highlights and shadows are well-balanced. The LiDAR Scanner improves low-light performance, reducing noise and improving detail in challenging lighting conditions. Both models are also capable of recording high-quality 4K video at up to 60fps, with features like cinematic video stabilization and extended dynamic range. While the 2020 iPad Pro offers a solid camera system, the addition of Center Stage in the 2021 model provides a more engaging and user-friendly video conferencing experience. The Center Stage feature alone can be a compelling reason to upgrade, especially for users who frequently participate in video calls or online meetings. The enhanced video conferencing capabilities, combined with the already excellent camera performance, make the 2021 iPad Pro a more versatile and practical device for both personal and professional use.
Battery Life and Connectivity
When it comes to battery life and connectivity, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 and 2020 models offer similar performance, but there are some notable differences in connectivity options. The 2020 iPad Pro provides excellent battery life, typically lasting around 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on a single charge. The battery life is consistent across various tasks, making it a reliable device for all-day use. In terms of connectivity, the 2020 model features Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for fast wireless speeds and Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting to accessories. It also includes a USB-C port, which supports charging, data transfer, and connecting to external displays and peripherals. The USB-C port provides versatile connectivity options, allowing you to connect to a wide range of devices, such as external hard drives, cameras, and audio interfaces.
The 2021 iPad Pro offers similar battery life, also providing around 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on a single charge. The M1 chip's efficiency helps maintain consistent battery performance, even during demanding tasks. However, the 2021 model introduces Thunderbolt / USB 4 support via the USB-C port. This upgrade provides significantly faster data transfer speeds and enhanced connectivity options. Thunderbolt / USB 4 supports data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps, allowing you to quickly transfer large files and connect to high-resolution displays and peripherals. The Thunderbolt / USB 4 port also supports DisplayPort, enabling you to connect to external displays with resolutions up to 6K. This makes the 2021 iPad Pro an excellent choice for creative professionals who need to work with large files or connect to multiple displays.
In terms of wireless connectivity, both models support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, providing fast and reliable wireless connections. However, the 2021 iPad Pro's Thunderbolt / USB 4 port offers a significant advantage in terms of wired connectivity. The faster data transfer speeds and enhanced display support make it a more versatile device for professional use. While both models offer excellent battery life, the 2021 iPad Pro's Thunderbolt / USB 4 port provides a compelling reason to upgrade, especially for users who need to transfer large files or connect to high-resolution displays. The Thunderbolt / USB 4 support ensures that the 2021 iPad Pro is future-proofed for the latest peripherals and accessories. The enhanced connectivity options, combined with the already excellent battery life, make the 2021 iPad Pro a more practical and efficient device for both personal and professional use.
Price and Value: Bang for Your Buck?
When considering the price and value of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 versus the 2020 model, it's essential to weigh the cost against the features and performance improvements. The 2020 iPad Pro was initially priced starting at $999 for the base model with 128GB of storage. Over time, the price has likely decreased, especially on the used or refurbished market. The 2020 model offers excellent value for its price, providing a powerful processor, a stunning display, and a versatile camera system. It's a great option for users who need a high-performance tablet for everyday tasks, creative work, and entertainment.
The 2021 iPad Pro launched with a starting price of $1099 for the base model with 128GB of storage, representing a slight increase over the previous generation. The higher price reflects the significant upgrades in display technology, performance, and connectivity. The Liquid Retina XDR display, M1 chip, and Thunderbolt / USB 4 port all contribute to a more premium and capable device. The 2021 model is targeted towards professionals and power users who demand the best possible performance and features. While the initial cost is higher, the long-term value may be greater due to the enhanced capabilities and future-proofing.
When evaluating the value proposition, consider your specific needs and usage patterns. If you primarily use your iPad for browsing the web, watching videos, and light productivity tasks, the 2020 iPad Pro may be sufficient and offer better value for your money. However, if you're a creative professional who needs to edit 4K video, work with large files, or connect to high-resolution displays, the 2021 iPad Pro's M1 chip and Thunderbolt / USB 4 port will provide a significant advantage. The Center Stage feature is also a valuable addition for users who frequently participate in video calls or online meetings. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your budget and how you plan to use your iPad. If you're willing to spend a bit more for the latest technology and enhanced performance, the 2021 iPad Pro offers excellent value. If you're looking for a more affordable option that still provides excellent performance, the 2020 iPad Pro remains a solid choice. The price difference reflects the advancements in technology, so it's crucial to assess whether those advancements align with your needs and justify the additional cost.
Final Verdict: Which iPad Pro Reigns Supreme?
Alright, guys, let's wrap things up and give you the lowdown on which iPad Pro 12.9-inch model comes out on top. Both the 2021 and 2020 versions are fantastic tablets, but they cater to slightly different needs and budgets. If you're looking for the absolute best in display technology, performance, and future-proof connectivity, the 2021 iPad Pro is the clear winner. The M1 chip delivers a massive performance boost, the Liquid Retina XDR display is stunning, and the Thunderbolt / USB 4 port provides unparalleled connectivity options. The addition of Center Stage also enhances the video conferencing experience. However, all these upgrades come at a higher price.
On the other hand, the 2020 iPad Pro remains a solid choice for users who want a high-performance tablet without breaking the bank. It still offers excellent performance, a beautiful display, and a versatile camera system. It's a great option for everyday tasks, creative work, and entertainment. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of the 2021 model, it's still a capable device that can handle most tasks with ease. The 2020 iPad Pro is a more budget-friendly option that still provides a premium iPad experience.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you're a creative professional who demands the best possible performance and features, the 2021 iPad Pro is worth the investment. If you're a casual user who primarily uses your iPad for browsing the web, watching videos, and light productivity tasks, the 2020 iPad Pro may be a better fit. Consider your budget, your usage patterns, and the features that are most important to you. Whichever model you choose, you're sure to enjoy a premium iPad experience. I hope this comparison has been helpful in making your decision. Happy shopping, and catch you in the next one!