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Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) vs Apple iPad Pro 12.9″ (M1)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)AppleiPad Pro 12.9″ (M1)
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2020May 2021
Display
Screen size12.9″12.9″
Resolution2732 × 20482732 × 2048
Sharpness265 pixels per inch265 pixels per inch
PanelLCDMini-LED
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Brightness600 nits600 nits
HDR peak brightness–1,600 nits
Display typeLiquid Retina; LED-backlit IPS LCD; rounded corners reduce the viewable areaLiquid Retina XDR display, mini-LED-backlit IPS LCD; 2596 full-array local dimming zones; 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
Pixel density264 ppi264 ppi
Brightness detail1.8% reflectivityUp to 1000 nits full-screen HDR; 1600 nits peak for HDR content only
Display featuresProMotion adjusts refresh up to 120 Hz; P3 wide colour; True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective and fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coatings; Dolby Vision and HDR10 content playbackProMotion up to 120Hz (TechRadar); wide colour (P3); True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective coating with 1.8% reflectivity; fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Performance
ChipA12Z BionicM1
Memory6 GB8 GB – 16 GB
Storage128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
CPUEight-core 64-bit CPU; 6 GB RAM on every storage option (Notebookcheck)8-core CPU with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores; 8GB RAM on 128–512GB models, 16GB on 1–2TB models
GPUEight-core Apple GPU8-core GPU
AI engineNeural Engine16-core Neural Engine
Cameras
Rear camera12 MP12 MP
Ultra wide camera10 MP10 MP
Front camera7 MP12 MP
Rear cameraWide f/1.8; ultra wide f/2.4 with 125° field of view; 2x optical zoom out; digital zoom up to 5x; five-element lenses; True Tone flash; sapphire lens cover; Focus Pixels autofocus on wide; Smart HDR; wide colour capture12MP Wide, ƒ/1.8, autofocus with Focus Pixels; 10MP Ultra Wide, ƒ/2.4, 125°; five-element lenses; 2x optical zoom out, up to 5x digital zoom; True Tone flash; Smart HDR 3; sapphire crystal lens cover
Front cameraTrueDepth; f/2.2; Portrait mode and Portrait Lighting; Retina Flash; Smart HDR; Animoji and Memoji12MP TrueDepth Ultra Wide, ƒ/2.4, 122°; Center Stage; Portrait mode and Portrait Lighting; Smart HDR 3; Retina Flash; 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 fps
Video recordingWide 4K at 24/30/60 fps; ultra wide 4K at 60 fps; 1080p at 30/60 fps; slow-motion 1080p at 120/240 fps on wide and 240 fps on ultra wide; HEVC/H.264; front 1080p at 30/60 fps4K at 24, 25, 30 or 60 fps (Wide); 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 fps; 720p at 30 fps; slo-mo 1080p at 120 or 240 fps; cinematic video stabilisation; HEVC and H.264; stereo recording
Depth sensorLiDAR Scanner; measures surrounding objects up to 5 m indoors or outdoorsLiDAR Scanner
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Battery capacity36.71 Wh40.88 Wh
Battery (mAh)9,720 mAh–
Mobile data optionYesYes
StylusSupported, sold separatelySupported, sold separately
Keyboard made for itYesYes
Battery life detailUp to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing or video; nine hours cellular browsing; 9,720 mAh reported by NotebookcheckUp to 10 hours surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video; up to 9 hours surfing the web on mobile data
ChargingUSB-C power adaptor or computer; supplied 18 W adaptor is not a stated maximum charging rateVia USB-C power adapter or computer; 20W adapter included, maximum charging power not specified by Apple
USB-CUSB-C; video mirroring and output up to 4K through compatible adaptors; Smart ConnectorUSB-C with charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 up to 40Gb/s, USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s; one external display up to 6K at 60Hz
Wi-FiDual-band 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6; HT80 with MIMOWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz, HT80 with MIMO
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0
Mobile networkGigabit-class LTE; UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA; GSM/EDGE; nano-SIM and eSIM; data only; cellular model weighs 643 gOptional 5G and LTE; nano-SIM and eSIM; GPS/GNSS on cellular models; 685g for Wi-Fi + Cellular, 682g for Wi-Fi; mmWave limited to US models
Stylus supportApple Pencil (2nd generation) with magnetic attachment, pairing and wireless charging; Apple Pencil (USB-C); sold separatelyApple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil (USB-C), sold separately; USB-C Pencil compatibility added after launch
KeyboardsMagic Keyboard with trackpad and USB-C pass-through charging; Smart Keyboard Folio; sold separatelyMagic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, sold separately; Smart Connector
Design
Weight641 g682 g
Thickness5.9 mm6.4 mm
Height × width280.6 × 214.9 mm280.6 × 214.9 mm
Operating systemiPadOSiPadOS
BiometricsFace ID through TrueDepth cameraFace ID via TrueDepth camera
SpeakersFour-speaker audioFour-speaker audio
MicrophonesFive studio-quality microphonesFive studio-quality microphones
SensorsThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light sensor; digital compass; iBeacon; GPS/GNSS on cellular modelThree-axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass
MaterialsRecyclable low-carbon aluminium enclosure; 100% recycled tin in solder on the main logic board, True Tone flash and Pencil wireless chargerEnclosure made with 100% recycled aluminium
ColoursSilver, Space GreySilver, Space Grey
Software at launchiPadOS 13.4iPadOS 14.5; Apple's support page was subsequently updated to iPadOS 15
In the boxiPad Pro; USB-C Charge Cable (1 m); 18 W USB-C Power AdapteriPad Pro, USB-C Charge Cable (1 m), 20W USB-C Power Adapter

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