Released in October of 2022, Apple added the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models to its luxury tablet lineup. As expected, the new models have upgraded chips, improved Apple Pencil support, and enhanced connectivity.
Apple kept many of the same upgrades from the previous iPad Pro generation and incorporated them into the latest models. Like before, this year‘s Pro tablets are very similar apart from a few key distinctions.
So what exactly are the differences between the new iPad Pros, and how do they stack up against each other? This 2500+ word guide will teach you everything you want to know about Apple‘s latest iPad Pro models and help you decide which one is the better fit for your needs and budget.
iPad Pro 11 vs 12.9: Side-by-Side Specs Comparison
| Specifications | iPad Pro 11-inch | iPad Pro 12.9-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Wi-Fi Only – $799 Cellular Model – $999 |
Wi-Fi Only – $1,099 Cellular Model – $1,299 |
| CPU | M2 | M2 |
| RAM | (128GB – 512GB) – 8GB RAM (1TB – 2TB) – 16GB RAM |
(128GB – 512GB) – 8GB RAM (1TB – 2TB) – 16GB RAM |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Display | 11-inch Liquid Retina (2388 X 1668 resolution) |
12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR (2732 X 2048 resolution) |
| Cameras | Front: 12MP TrueDepth Rear: 10MP Ultrawide 12MP Wide |
Front: 12MP TrueDepth Rear: 10MP Ultrawide 12MP Wide |
| Brightness | 600 nits | 600 nits (SDR) 1,000 nits (XDR) |
| Accessories | Apple Pencil Hover | Apple Pencil Hover |
| Size | 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.23 inches | 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches |
| Weight | Wi-Fi Only – 1.03 lbs (466g) Cellular – 1.04 lbs (470g) |
Wi-Fi Only – 1.5 lbs (682g) Cellular – 1.51 lbs (685g) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Wi-Fi) 9 hours (Cellular) |
10 hours (Wi-Fi) 9 hours (Cellular) |
As you can see from the table above, there are a lot of similarities between the latest 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models when it comes to internal specs and features. Let‘s break down some of the key differences in more detail.
Storage and Speed
Both iPad Pro models are powered by Apple‘s newest M2 chip, which provides a 15% CPU and 35% GPU performance boost over the already blazing-fast M1 chip in the previous generation.
This means you‘ll experience lightning-fast speeds whether you opt for the smaller or larger Pro. The M2 also enables new capabilities like Stage Manager on iPadOS 16 for easier multitasking.
In terms of baseline storage, both models start at a paltry 128GB, which is likely to fill up quickly for professional users. However, Apple allows you to configure up to a whopping 2TB of storage if you need massive local capacity.
The amount of RAM varies based on storage tier – 8GB from 128GB to 512GB models, and 16GB on the 1TB and 2TB high-capacity configurations.
Design and Dimensions
The overall industrial design and signature flat-edge look are nearly identical across both new iPad Pro models. Apple has retained the same chassis dimensions from the previous iPad Pro generation.
As you‘d expect, the 11-inch version is smaller, slimmer and nearly half a pound lighter compared to the 12.9-inch model. This makes it a bit easier to carry around and use handheld for longer periods.
However, the larger Pro offers over 20% more screen real estate. This can really improve the experience for creators working with pro apps, editors reviewing timelines, and multitaskers with multiple windows open.
So there‘s a definite trade-off here – portability vs. productivity. Choose based on your needs.
Displays
One key difference lies in the display department. While both tablets sport Apple‘s spectacular Liquid Retina display with ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rates, the 12.9-inch version also adds Mini LED backlighting for a 1000 nit full-screen brightness in HDR content.
This "Liquid Retina XDR" display provides noticeably better contrast ratios and deeper blacks for an overall more immersive viewing experience. It‘s a boon for creative professionals working in imaging, video or 3D rendering apps.
Casual users who mainly browse or stream video likely won‘t gain much benefit from the XDR display though. The 11-inch screen with its 600 nit peak brightness still renders colors very accurately and looks great even outdoors.
Cameras
The latest iPad Pros feature improved image signal processing capabilities thanks to the M2 chip‘s updated GPU and ISP. This enables Smart HDR 4 for photos and better noise reduction in low light shots. Video recording also gets a boost up to 4K resolution at 60fps.
Besides these software enhancements, both sizes use the same rear and front-facing camera hardware as before. You get a 12MP wide camera paired with a 10MP ultrawide module that enables 122o field of view. This allows you to capture more content in each frame.
The updated 12MP TrueDepth front camera now supports Apple‘s Center Stage feature which automatically pans and zooms to keep you in frame during video calls.
Overall, both iPad Pro variants take fantastic photos and video given their integrated form factor. But serious mobile shooters would still likely prefer using a flagship smartphone or dedicated mirrorless camera.
Connectivity
The latest iPad Pros up the ante in the wireless connectivity department. They are Apple‘s first tablets to include support for super-fast Wi-Fi 6E networking standard which enables peak theoretical speeds up to 2.4 Gbps.
Cellular models with 5G have also gotten a boost – they now connect to more 5G network bands for better performance across more countries.
So users should see faster, more reliable wireless data transfers across both Wi-Fi and cellular. This is great news for bandwidth-hungry pros who work with massive media files and projects on the go.
Accessories
A key highlight of the new iPad Pro generation is advanced integration with the Apple Pencil 2. Thanks to the hover feature, the Pencil can now be detected up to 12mm above the iPad screen allowing you to see a preview of your mark before you make it.
This adds a whole new dimension of precision and control for note-takers and digital artists. Both iPad Pro models support this upgraded Apple Pencil functionality.
And as with previous versions, Apple‘s Magic Keyboard with built-in trackpad is available for both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch latest iPad Pro models. So you can easily add keyboard and cursor support to boost on-the-go productivity.
Battery Life
Despite having different battery capacities, Apple rates both the new iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch models to deliver up to 10 hours of internet use on Wi-Fi or 9 hours when connected to 5G cellular data.
Of course, actual battery runtimes vary greatly depending on what apps you run and screen brightness levels. But it‘s safe to say you‘ll comfortably get through a full day of active usage on one full charge – great for road warriors!
The M2 chip‘s efficiency improvements should also result in marginally better real-world runtimes this generation. Fast charging support via USB-C cable also helps quickly top up when running low.
iPad Pro History & Generations
The very first iPad Pro launched in November 2015 as Apple‘s most powerful tablet aimed at creative professionals and enterprise users needing desktop-class performance on the go.
Since then, Apple has iterated on the Pro lineup every 1-2 years, consistently upgrading the chipset and display. But the last major physical redesign happened back in 2018 when Apple moved the iPad Pro family to slim-bezel, Face ID-equipped design in both 11-inch and 12.9-inch screen sizes.
Let‘s do a quick generational comparison:
1st gen (2015) – Original iPad Pro in 12.9" only option with A9X chip, 4GB RAM option and 12MP camera
2nd gen (2017) – Refreshed 12.9" model plus new 10.5" size, with faster A10X chip and 120Hz ProMotion display
3rd gen (2018 October) – All-new thin-bezel design in 11" and 12.9" sizes with Face ID and A12X chip
4th gen (2020 March) – Upgraded cameras, A12Z chip, LiDAR scanner and Magic Keyboard support
5th gen (2021 April) – Next-gen M1 chip, XDR MiniLED (12.9" model) and Thunderbolt support
6th gen (2022 October) – Even faster M2 chip and advanced Apple Pencil hover features
As you can see, Apple has maintained a steady pace of improvements over the Pro family lifecycle. Users upgrading from 4+ year old models would see massive performance, design and accessory upgrades.
iPad Pro 11 vs 12.9: Who Should Buy Which?
So which 2022 iPad Pro model is better suited for you? Here are some quick use case recommendations:
For creatives (animators, videographers, photographers) – The 12.9-inch Pro with its stunning XDR display, abundant screen real estate and desktop-class power is ideal for visual content creation workflows.
For digital artists and note-takers – Same as above, the 12.9" Pro paired with Apple Pencil is closest to recreating pen/paper creative experience digitally but portability fans can also enjoy new Pencil hover feature equally well on the 11" model.
For productivity multitaskers – If your work revolves around using multiple documents, slides, emails simultaneously, the expansive 12.9" display helps tremendously in juggling everything efficiently even without an external monitor.
For students – The compact 11-inch Pro slate will easily slip into backpacks and worktables. It has all the Apple Pencil and keyboard smarts for notetaking, school projects etc without the heavier price tag of 12.9” model.
For business execs always traveling – Frequent flyers who need a powerful yet portable companion, the svelte 1 pound iPad Pro 11-inch offers the ultimate combination of performance and mobility.
For casual browsing and entertainment – Both latest models are overkill if you‘ll mostly be streaming video and web browsing. A previous generation iPad Pro or iPad Air provide sufficient horsepower at lower costs.
In a nutshell, creatives and power users able to leverage the 12.9-inch screen real estate would see tremendous ROI but compactness fans get nearly the same feature-set with the more affordable 11" Pro tablet.
iPad Pro 2022: Final Verdict & Buying Recommendations
Best Overall Pick: iPad Pro 12.9” 2022
With its expansive, stunning XDR display, abundant horsepower and excellent creative app integration, the latest large-screen iPad Pro flagship represents the pinnacle of tablet computing and mobility today. If budget allows, creatives should invest in this productivity powerhouse.
Most Practical Pick: iPad Pro 11” 2022
For those seeking top-notch performance in a more portable design at an easier price point, the 11-inch Pro delivers nearly everything its larger sibling can, just in a smaller yet very capable package. From enterprise users to students, it hits the sweet spot across many everyday workloads.
Both the latest iPad Pro tablets earn strong recommendations – identifying your key priorities between screen size, power, mobility and budget will determine the right fit.
Hopefully this detailed yet easy to understand 2022 iPad Pro comparison guide has helped you determine which model better matches your usage needs! Feel free to reach out via comments below if you still have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What‘s the key difference between iPad Pro 11 vs 12.9 this year?
The 12.9" Pro features a brighter, higher contrast XDR miniLED display compared to standard 11" Pro but otherwise core M2 chip performance, cameras, accessories are similar across both tablets.
How much does iPad Pro 11 vs 12.9 battery life differ?
Apple rates both models nearly the same – up to 10 hours internet use over Wi-Fi or 9 hours on cellular data. So in practical terms, not a major battery life variance.
Which accessories work with 2022 iPad Pro models?
The latest iPad Pro generation supports 2nd gen Apple Pencil with new hover features, Magic Keyboard with trackpad and Smart Keyboard Folio.
Is it worth upgrading to 2022 iPad Pro from previous models?
Upgrading every 2-3 years makes sense for Pro users to benefit from the latest chip/camera/display tech improvements. Those with 2020 or later models won‘t see dramatic gains this cycle unless needing Apple Pencil hover capabilities.
