The new 11-inch iPad Pro looks exactly as its predecessor but offers up to 50% better performance, 5G connectivity, fast Thunderbolt connector, and ultra-wide front camera.
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) was announced together with the larger 12.9-inch model on April 20, and available for preorder from April 30.
The new model is available in Silver and Space Gray. Its prices start from $799, just like the previous-generation model. One internal storage variants was added: 2 TB. For its version with Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity you will have to pay $2,099.
The 11-inch iPad Pro has the same display as its predecessor, and is compatible with Apple Pencil 2, Magic Keyboard (now available also in White), and Smart Keyboard Folio.
Is it worth buying the 2021 iPad Pro 11 or go for a 2020 model? If you don’t heavily depend on the performance and don’t plan to buy the cellular version for its 5G support, you can pick up the earlier model.
Below, there is a simplified list of the features and improvements of the newest iPad Pro 11 (3rd generation), released in 2021.
iPad Pro 11 2021 – what’s new
M1 chip – the Mac’s revolutionary M1 chip is now available in the iPad Pro, offering a huge performance boost: up to 50% faster CPU performance than A12Z Bionic and up to 40% faster graphics. And it does not happen at the cost of a battery life, which runs for up to 10 hours – just like in the previous-generation model.
Thunderbolt / USB 4 – the new Thunderbolt port is compatible with USB-C connectors and is the fastest connection ever on the iPad, with up to 40 Gbps bandwidth for wired connections, support for 10Gbps Ethernet, and compatibility with top shelf external displays, including the Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution.
5G Connectivity – featuring the most 5G bands on any device of its kind, iPad Pro offers the broadest 5G coverage worldwide. iPad Pro models in the US support millimeter wave, the higher frequency version of 5G, allowing iPad Pro to reach speeds up to 4 Gbps.
Ultra-wide front camera with Center Stage – on the front there is now an all-new 12 MP ultra-wide camera designed specifically for iPad, enabling Center Stage, a new feature that uses the much larger field of view combined with the machine learning capabilities of M1 to recognize and keep users centered in the frame.
Magic Keyboard in White – a great new is the availability of the White version of the Magic Keyboard, which would go insanely well with the Silver variant.
iPad Pro 11 2021 – compatibility chart
The new 11-inch iPad Pro has the same shape and dimensions (width, height, depth) as the model released in 2020. Therefore, you won’t experience any of the iPad Pro 12.9 2021 compatibility issues.
Below, you will find a quick compatibility list for iPad Pro 11 released in 2021.
Compatible with Magic Keyboard
If you bought Magic Keyboard for your iPad Pro 11 2020, it will fit the 2021 model as well. No compatibility issues (neither in size nor performance) were reported so far.
Also, a newly bought Magic Keyboard will be compatible with:
- iPad Pro 11 (2nd generation) from 2020
- iPad Pro 11 (1st generation) from 2018
Magic Keyboard costs $299 in the Apple online store, but if you want to save between 5 and 10% without waiting for big shopping events, you can buy it in the Official Apple Reseller Store on Amazon.
Compatible with Smart Folio
When you visit Apple online store, you will see that Smart Folio for iPad Pro 11 is compatible with three generations of the 11-inch Pro – the ones from 2021 (3rd), 2020 (2nd), and 2018 (1st).
Again, no compatibility issues were reported or shared, so both forward and backward iPad Pro 11 Smart Folio compatibility is guaranteed. Check out the latest prices of Smart Folio cover on Amazon.
Compatible with Smart Keyboard Folio
You should assume the same as for Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio:
- The newly bought Smart Keyboard Folio is compatible with older generations of iPad Pro 11.
- Your old Smart Keyboard Folio is compatible with iPad Pro 11 released in 2021.
In the official online Apple store, Smart Keyboard Folio comes with a compatibility list that clearly says that the folio works with iPad Pro 11 released in 2021 and with the 2nd and 1st-generation models as well (and iPad Air 4 as well).
Compatible with Apple Pencil 2
You can use Apple Pencil 2 with your new iPad Pro 11 released in 2021 just like you used in with your earlier 11-inch Pro.
If you plan to buy the pen, check out its price on Amazon – Apple Pencil 2 is always a few dollars cheaper there.
Not compatible with Apple Pencil 1
This is a reminder that Apple Pencil 1 is incompatible with iPad Pro 11 (2021) just like it was not compatible with 11-inch iPad Pro models from 2020 and 2018.
In general, you may assume that any iPad that’s compatible with one Apple Pencil is not compatible with the other.
Mixed compatibility with earlier third-party cases
Although iPad Pro 11 released in 2021 has the same width, height and depth as the older model from 2020, many third-party producers offer cases that are compatible with only the latest iPad Pro 11 2021.
To my surprise, almost as many producers claim cross compatibility between iPad Pro 11 2021 and earlier models.
We will be observing this confusing case compatibility discrepancy and report back.
One of the possible compatibility issues may be due to unconfirmed slightly different positions of speakers and microphones. The camera panel has the same size and is in the same place as before.
Could the magnets be located in different places, making the auto sleep & wake feature not working with older cases? This is something to observe and confirm as well.
iPad Pro 11-inch (2021 model, 3rd generation) – full specs
Are you looking for a quick overview of the 11-inch iPad Pro 2021? Take a look at the simplified but complete tech specs table.
| Screen | 11-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina LED-backlit Multi‑Touch display with ProMotion, True Tone, and Wide color display (P3) |
|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 2388 × 1668 px |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi |
| Storage capacity | • 128 GB • 256 GB • 512 GB • 1 TB • 2 TB |
| microSD card | No |
| RAM memory | • 8 GB (variants with 128, 256 and 512 GB of storage) • 16 GB (variants with 1 and 2 TB of storage) |
| Processor | • Apple M1 chip • 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores • 8-core GPU • 16-core Neural Engine |
| Rear cameras | • Wide: 12 MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture • Ultra Wide: 10 MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture, and 125° field of view |
| Front camera | • 12 MP Ultra Wide camera with TrueDepth and Center Stage, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 122° field of view |
| Body colors | • Silver • Space Gray |
| Battery | Built-in 28.65-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, non-removable |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video |
| Charging | Charging via power adapter or USB-C to computer system |
| Weight | 16.44 oz / 466 g |
| Dimensions | 9.74 × 7.02 × 0.23 in / 247.6 × 178.5 × 5.9 mm |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6; simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); HT80 with MIMO |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 technology |
| 5G cellular connectivity | Yes, with the broadest 5G coverage worldwide |
| Ports and connectors | • Thunderbolt / USB 4 • Smart Connector |
| Face ID | Yes, enabled by the TrueDepth front camera |
| Operating System | iPadOS |
| Sound | Four built‑in speakers |
| Sensors | • Face ID • LiDAR Scanner • Three-axis gyro • Accelerometer • Barometer • Ambient light sensor |
| In the box | • iPad Pro 11 (2021) • USB-C charge cable (1 meter) • 20W USB-C Power Adapter |
| Apple Pencil | Yes, compatible with Apple Pencil 2, sold separately |
| Smart Keyboard Folio | Yes, compatible with Smart Keyboard Folio, sold separately |
| Magic Keyboard | Yes, compatible with Magic Keyboard, sold separately |
| Launch dates | • Announcement – April 20, 2021 • Pre-orders – April 30, 2021 • Release – May 21, 2021 |
| Prices |
• 128 GB / WiFi – $799 • 128 GB / WiFi + Cellular – $999 • 256 GB / WiFi – $899 • 256 GB / WiFi + Cellular – $1,099 • 512 GB / WiFi – $1,099 • 512 GB / WiFi + Cellular – $1,299 • 1 TB / WiFi – $1,499 • 1 TB / WiFi + Cellular – $1,699 • 2 TB / WiFi – $1,899 • 2 TB / WiFi + Cellular – $2,099 |
iPad Pro 11 (2021 model) – buttons and connectors
What are the locations of buttons, ports, connectors, microphones, and speakers in the newest 11-inch iPad Pro model released in 2021? Take a look:
iPad Pro 11 (2021 model) – product highlights
What are the main benefits of the newest iPad Pro 11 model released in May 2021? Here is what Apple is saying.
iPad Pro 11, 2021 release, 3rd generation
Space Gray / 128 GB
Breakthrough M1 chip
With M1, iPad Pro is the fastest device of its kind. It’s designed to take full advantage of the next‑level performance and custom technologies like the advanced image signal processor and unified memory architecture of M1. And with the incredible power efficiency of M1, iPad Pro is still thin and light with all‑day battery life, making it as portable as it is powerful.
Faster performance and graphics
The 8‑core CPU of M1 delivers up to 50 percent faster performance. And M1 has an 8‑core GPU in a class of its own, providing up to 40 percent faster graphics performance to iPad Pro. So you can build intricate AR models, play games with console‑quality graphics at high frame rates, and more.
Easy on the eyes. Easy to carry
The Liquid Retina display on the 11‑inch iPad Pro is not only gorgeous and portable, it also features incredibly advanced technologies.2 Like ProMotion, True Tone, P3 wide color, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything feel responsive and look stunning.
Blazing‑fast connection
iPad has always been uniquely portable with superfast Wi‑Fi and cellular options. Now with 5G capabilities, you can connect to the fastest wireless networks when you need to download files, stream movies, collaborate with colleagues, and upload content on the go. And iPad Pro has the most 5G bands of any device of its kind — so it can get 5G in more places.
Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage
iPad Pro features a new Ultra Wide camera with a 12MP sensor and a 122‑degree field of view, making it perfect for FaceTime and the new Center Stage feature. It’s also great for epic Portrait mode selfies. And it works with the TrueDepth camera to securely unlock iPad Pro with Face ID.
LiDAR Scanner
The LiDAR Scanner measures how long it takes light to reflect back from objects, so it can create a depth map of any space you’re in and unlock immersive AR experiences. And it works with the powerful ISP to more accurately focus images and videos in low‑light conditions and reduce capture time.
Thunderbolt – for powerful creative workflows
Now with Thunderbolt, this is the fastest, most versatile port ever on iPad. It works with existing USB‑C connectors and opens up an extensive ecosystem of high‑performance accessories for iPad Pro — like fast external storage, displays, and docks. Transfer huge assets or even drive the Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution.
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