New and old versions of Apple’s biggest, most expensive iPad compared.
Once the best tablet out there, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) has fallen behind ever so slightly thanks to the existence of its younger sibling, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021), but does that mean you should overlook it? That’s a tricky question, with much of it coming down to how cheaply you can find the iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) and how important it is for you to have the latest technology. Having said that, both of these tablets are still highly remarkable portable devices, and more than competent for the vast majority of what you might need to do while on the move (or at home). If you’re struggling to decide which iPad Pro 12.9 is for you, we’re here to help out. We’ve looked at all the features and specs of both tablets, while also paying attention to any design changes and anything else you might need to know before you consider buying one. The Wi-Fi-only iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) starts at $1,099 / £999 / AU$1,649 for 128GB of storage. The price rises to $1,199 / £1,099 / AU$1,799 for 256GB of storage, with up to 2TB available for a rather pricey $2,199 / £1,999 / AU$3,299. Alternatively, if you want to go the cellular 5G route, expect to pay a bit more for the benefits of not having to rely solely on Wi-Fi when you’re out and about. Stock is easily available, both via Apple directly, and at many different online and bricks-and-mortar retailers. Buying the iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) is a trickier proposition. That’s because Apple no longer sells it, sticking with the newer model instead. However, that does mean you can find it at a considerable discount at various third-party retailers, providing you don’t mind shopping around or potentially buying a refurbished model. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) is only available with between 128GB of storage and 1TB, with Wi-Fi or cellular LTE an option. The price officially starts at $999 / £969 / AU$1,649, rising to $1499 / £1,469 / AU$2,499 for 1TB, and more if you want cellular connectivity, but again, in practice it’s often a lot cheaper. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) and iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) are near identical in terms of dimensions. They both offer the same height of 280.6mm and width of 214.9mm, with the only discernible difference being that the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is slightly deeper at 6.4mm compared to the iPad Pro 12.9 (2020)’s 5.9mm. In regular use, you’ll never notice the difference. Weight wise, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is slightly heavier at 682g for the Wi-Fi model compared to the iPad Pro 12.9 (2020)’s 641g, with 2g in it between the cellular models but again, this is far from a deal-breaker for anyone. Apple has played it safe with both tablets so expect an aluminum rear and frame for both models too, and both have glass fronts that are crying out for a case to protect it.
