In 2021, the 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro arrives with the powerful M1 chip, Thunderbolt connectivity, 5G for cellular models, and new camera features like Center Stage and more.
Now the iPad Pro 2022 M2 lineup offers a number of modifications and changes, but many of them are very minor, which may push customers towards the M1 iPad Pro or even the iPad Air.
Below we will break down all the subtleties of the M2 iPad Pro and M1 iPad Pro. We also have a full comparison of the new entry-level iPad and more:
M2 iPad Pro vs. M1 iPad Pro
performance
The main difference between the new and old iPad Pro is the upgrade from the M1 chip to the M2.
This provides an 18% faster CPU, a 35% faster GPU (10 cores vs. 8 cores), and a twofold increase in memory bandwidth from 50GB/s to 100GB/s.
Note: The 128, 256, and 512GB models have 8GB of RAM, while the 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB of RAM.
| 11″ M2 iPad Pro | 11″ M1 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro | |
| chip | M2 | m 1 | M2 | m 1 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| GPU cores | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| neuronal nuclei | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| storage | 128 GB – 2 TB | 128 GB – 2 TB | 128 GB – 2 TB | 128 GB – 2 TB |
| RAM | 8 or 16 GB | 8 or 16 GB | 8 or 16 GB | 8 or 16 GB |
| memory bandwidth | 100 GB / sec | 50 GB/sec | 100 GB / sec | 50 GB/sec |
| Thunderbolt / USB 4 port | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| cellular | Fifth generation network | Fifth generation network | Fifth generation network | Fifth generation network |
Outside of the slight boost in CPU and GPU performance, all other specs like storage, RAM, Thunderbolt connectivity, and 5G remain the same between the new and old iPad Pro models.
Show
Just like the M1 12.9″ iPad Pro, only the M2 12.9″ iPad Pro features a miniLED-backlit Liquid Retina XDR display.
Display features common across all professional models include up to 120Hz ProMotion, P3 wide color, fully laminated displays, anti-reflective coatings, and True Tone.
There seems to be only one difference between the new M2 11 and 12.9 iPad Pro display and M1 versions — the new Apple Pencil Hover feature.
| 11″ M2 iPad Pro | 11″ M1 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro | |
| Show | 11″ | 11″ | 12.9″ with miniLED | 12.9″ with miniLED |
| the decision | 2388 x 1668 | 2388 x 1668 | 2732 x 2048 | 2732 x 2048 |
| PPI (pixels per inch) | 264 | 264 | 264 | 264 |
| screen brightness | 600 nt | 600 nt | 600 nits SDR, up to 1600 HDR | 600 nits SDR, up to 1600 HDR |
| true tone | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| P3 wide color | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| ProMotion (120 Hz) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Anti-reflective coating | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fully laminated screen | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Liquid Retina screen | ✅ | ✅ | – | – |
| Liquid Retina XDR display | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple Pencil Hover | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Delivery and accessories
The new iPad Pro models work with the same Apple accessories as the previous generation iPad Pro. This includes the second-generation Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio.
Some of the small upgrades with the M2 iPad Pro include Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6E.
| 11 and 12.9 M2 iPad Pro | 11 and 12.9 M1 iPad Pro | |
| Support for the second-generation Apple Pencil | ✅ | ✅ |
| Magic Keyboard support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fifth generation network | ✅ | ✅ |
| Wi-Fi 6 | – | ✅ |
| Wi-Fi 6e | ✅ | ❌ |
| bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| USB-C | USB 4 | USB 4 |
| lightning strike | ✅ | ✅ |
| face id | ✅ | ✅ |
Interestingly, the new iPad Pro models don’t get the Magic Keyboard Folio like the iPad 10.
battery life
The 2022 iPad Pro models feature the M2 chip with the same battery life as their predecessors:
- 10 hours of web or video use on WiFi
- 9 hours of web use with a cell phone
Storage and price
Storage remains the same between old and new iPad Pro models. Also, the pricing – the original MSRP pricing – remains unchanged. However, keep an eye out for M1 iPad Pro discounts with the new models available now.
| 11″ M2 iPad Pro | 11″ M1 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro | |
| 128 GB Wi-Fi | $799 | $799 | $1,099 | $1,099 |
| 128 GB + cell | $999 | $999 | $1299 | $1299 |
| 256 GB Wi-Fi | $899 | $899 | $1199 | $1199 |
| 256 GB + cell | $1,099 | $1,099 | $1,399 | $1,399 |
| 512 GB WiFi | $1,099 | $1,099 | $1,399 | $1,399 |
| 512 GB + cell | $1299 | $1299 | $1,599 | $1,599 |
| 1 terabyte wifi | $1499 | $1499 | $1,799 | $1,799 |
| 1 TB + cell | $1699 | $1699 | 1999 dollars | 1999 dollars |
| 2tb wifi | 1899 USD | 1899 USD | $2,199 | $2,199 |
| 2tb + cell | $2,099 | $2,099 | $2,399 | $2,399 |
Cameras, video and audio
With the iPad Pro’s rear camera system, you have a 12MP wide lens, a 10MP ultra-wide lens, a LiDAR scanner, and a True Tone flash.
On the back, you get a 12MP ultra-wide lens with Center Stage support.
The only changes between the M2 and M1 iPad Pro, for now, are Smart HDR 4 photos versus Smart HDR 3 and the ability to shoot ProRes video up to 4K at 30fps (1080p at 30fps for the 128GB models).
| 11 and 12.9 M2 iPad Pro | 11 and 12.9 M1 iPad Pro | |
| 12MP wide lens | ✅ | ✅ |
| 10MP Ultra Wide Lens | ✅ | ✅ |
| lidar | ✅ | ✅ |
| 4K video | ✅ | ✅ |
| ProRes video up to 4K 30fps | ✅ | ❌ |
| Extended dynamic range | ✅ | ✅ |
| Slow motion video | ✅ | ✅ |
| Back camera flash | ✅ | ✅ |
| TrueDepth camera with Face ID | ✅ | ✅ |
| 12MP ultra wide front camera | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2x optical zoom out | ✅ | ✅ |
| Smart HDR 3 photos | – | ✅ |
| Smart HDR4 photos | ✅ | ❌ |
| Automatic phase center tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| 4 speakers | ✅ | ✅ |
| stereo recording | ✅ | ✅ |
| 5 studio-quality microphones | ✅ | ✅ |
The iPad Pro’s front camera also features support for Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, and Animoji/Memoji.
Curiously, while the iPad 10 got an ultra-wide landscape front-facing camera, the iPad Pro keeps the front-facing camera on the top (the short side) of the frame.
Dimensions, weight and colors
Size and weight are identical between the M2 iPad Pro and M1 iPad Pro according to Apple:
- M2 and M1 11-inch iPad Pro: 1.03 pounds, 9.74 inches (247.6mm) high, 7.02 inches (178.5mm) wide, 0.23 inches (5.9mm) thick
- M2 and M1 12.9-inch iPad Pro: 1.5 pounds, 11.04 inches (280.6mm) high, 8.46 inches (214.9mm) wide, 0.25 inches (6.4mm) thick
Color options remain the same with silver and space gray.
Other small differences
There are two other small differences that you’ll see with the M2 iPad Pro:
- The USB-C cable is braided into the box instead of a plastic cable
- “iPad Pro” text label on the back instead of “iPad” on previous iPad Pro models
- The M2 iPad Pro’s space gray color may be slightly lighter than the M1 iPad Pro’s space gray color, with the antenna line of the cellular models being more muted
Conclusion M2 iPad Pro and M1 iPad Pro
Why buy M2 iPad Pro?
Considering all the similarities between the M2 iPad Pro and M1, you’ll probably only want to pick the new model if you’re a pro with workflows that will take advantage of the M2 chip/ProRes support or you’re okay with spending money on the latest and best from Apple.
The M2 iPad Pro is available at Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, BH Photo, and more with stock that looks good across the board.
Why buy the M1 iPad Pro?
When you can get the vast majority of the M2 iPad Pro’s features with the M1 iPad Pro and the processor difference isn’t an issue for most users, picking one up at a discount is probably a popular move.
Also, don’t forget that the iPad Air offers a great package at a cheaper price than the last generation iPad Pro. That’s if you’re okay with the 11-inch size.
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