IPad Pro 12.9 (2021) Review: Is It Still Worth It?

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 51 views

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021): A Comprehensive Review

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021). This tablet was a game-changer when it was released, packing some serious power and a stunning display. But, in the ever-evolving world of tech, does it still hold up? Let's find out!

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design, Apple rarely misses the mark, and the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is no exception. The sleek, minimalist aesthetic is instantly recognizable, featuring a premium aluminum build that feels incredibly solid in hand. The slim bezels surrounding the display contribute to a modern, immersive viewing experience. Holding this thing, you instantly feel like you've got a high-end piece of tech. The smooth, matte finish on the back not only looks great but also helps to resist fingerprints, which is always a plus. You've got the usual buttons and ports – volume controls, power button, and a USB-C port – all precisely placed and offering satisfying tactile feedback. And let's not forget the magnetic connector for the Apple Pencil, which is super convenient for charging and storage. The quad-speaker setup is another standout feature, delivering rich, immersive audio that's perfect for watching videos or listening to music. Seriously, the sound quality is impressive for a tablet. Overall, the design and build quality of the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) are top-notch. It's a beautiful, well-crafted device that exudes quality and attention to detail. Whether you're a creative professional, a student, or just someone who appreciates premium design, you'll definitely appreciate the look and feel of this iPad. It's not just about aesthetics, though. The robust build ensures that it can withstand the rigors of daily use, making it a reliable companion for all your adventures. Plus, the slim profile and relatively light weight make it surprisingly portable for a tablet of this size. You can easily slip it into a bag and take it with you wherever you go, without feeling like you're lugging around a bulky device. This combination of style and substance is what sets the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) apart from the competition. It's a device that not only looks good but also feels great to use, making it a joy to work and play on.

Display: A Visual Feast

The display is where the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) truly shines. It boasts a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED technology, which translates to incredible brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. Colors pop off the screen, blacks are deep and inky, and everything looks incredibly sharp and detailed. Whether you're watching movies, editing photos, or just browsing the web, the visuals are simply breathtaking. The 120Hz ProMotion technology makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth, adding to the overall premium experience. Trust me, once you've used a 120Hz display, it's hard to go back. The responsiveness is fantastic, making everything feel more fluid and natural. The high resolution ensures that text is crisp and clear, making it a pleasure to read for extended periods. And with support for P3 wide color gamut, you can be sure that you're seeing colors as they were meant to be seen. This is especially important for creative professionals who rely on accurate color representation for their work. But it's not just about the technical specs. The overall viewing experience is simply phenomenal. The immersive display draws you in and makes everything more engaging. Whether you're watching a movie, playing a game, or just browsing social media, you'll be captivated by the vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredible detail. And with the anti-reflective coating, you can use the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) in bright sunlight without any issues. This is a huge advantage for those who like to work or play outdoors. Overall, the display on the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is one of the best you'll find on any tablet. It's a visual feast that will delight your eyes and enhance your overall experience. Whether you're a casual user or a creative professional, you'll appreciate the stunning visuals and incredible detail that this display has to offer.

Performance: M1 Power Unleashed

Under the hood, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is powered by Apple's M1 chip, the same silicon found in their MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops. This means you're getting desktop-class performance in a tablet form factor. The M1 chip delivers blazing-fast speeds and incredible responsiveness, making everything from multitasking to running demanding apps a breeze. Whether you're editing 4K videos, playing graphics-intensive games, or working on complex creative projects, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) can handle it all with ease. The 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU provide plenty of power for even the most demanding tasks. And with the 16-core Neural Engine, machine learning tasks are accelerated, making apps like Photoshop and Procreate even more powerful. The M1 chip also brings significant improvements to battery life. You can easily get through a full day of use on a single charge, even with heavy usage. This is a huge advantage for those who are always on the go. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) also comes with plenty of RAM, ensuring that you can run multiple apps simultaneously without any slowdown. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM, while the higher-end models come with 16GB. This is more than enough for most users, but power users may want to opt for the 16GB model for even better performance. In terms of storage, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is available in a variety of configurations, ranging from 128GB to 2TB. This gives you plenty of options to choose from, depending on your storage needs. If you plan on storing a lot of photos, videos, or other large files, you'll want to opt for a model with more storage. Overall, the performance of the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is simply outstanding. The M1 chip delivers desktop-class performance in a tablet form factor, making it a powerhouse for both work and play. Whether you're a creative professional, a student, or just someone who wants the best possible performance, you won't be disappointed with the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021).

Software and Features

The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) runs on iPadOS, Apple's dedicated tablet operating system. iPadOS is designed to take full advantage of the iPad's hardware, offering a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features. The multitasking capabilities are particularly impressive, allowing you to run multiple apps side-by-side or in Slide Over mode. This makes it easy to switch between tasks and stay productive on the go. The Files app provides a convenient way to access and manage your files, whether they're stored locally on your iPad or in the cloud. And with support for external storage devices, you can easily transfer files between your iPad and other devices. The Apple Pencil support is another standout feature, allowing you to take notes, draw, and create artwork with incredible precision. The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) for charging and storage, making it super convenient to use. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) also supports a wide range of accessories, including the Magic Keyboard, which transforms the iPad into a laptop-like device. The Magic Keyboard features a full-size keyboard, a trackpad, and a built-in stand, making it perfect for writing emails, working on documents, or browsing the web. Other notable features include Face ID for secure authentication, a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port for fast data transfer and charging, and support for 5G cellular connectivity. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) also comes with a variety of pre-installed apps, including Safari, Mail, Photos, and iMovie. And with access to the App Store, you can download millions of other apps to customize your iPad to your liking. Overall, the software and features of the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) are top-notch. iPadOS is a powerful and user-friendly operating system that's designed to take full advantage of the iPad's hardware. And with support for a wide range of accessories, you can transform the iPad into a versatile device that can handle almost any task.

Camera Quality

Okay, so let's talk cameras. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) has a pretty solid camera setup. You've got a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera on the back, which are great for snapping photos and videos. But let's be real, you're probably not buying an iPad Pro primarily for its camera. That being said, the image quality is surprisingly good. The colors are accurate, the detail is sharp, and the dynamic range is decent. The Ultra Wide camera is especially useful for capturing landscapes or group shots. And with support for Smart HDR 3, your photos will look even better. On the front, there's a 12MP Ultra Wide camera that's perfect for video calls and selfies. The Center Stage feature is a game-changer, automatically keeping you in the frame as you move around. This is especially useful for video conferences or online classes. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) can also record 4K video at up to 60fps, which is great for capturing high-quality footage. And with support for cinematic video stabilization, your videos will look smooth and stable. The camera app is easy to use and offers a variety of features, including Portrait mode, Panorama mode, and Time-lapse mode. You can also use the camera to scan documents, which is super convenient. While the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)'s camera may not be as good as the cameras on the latest iPhones, it's still more than capable for most tasks. Whether you're snapping photos, recording videos, or making video calls, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) will get the job done. And with the Center Stage feature, you'll always look your best during video calls.

Battery Life

Battery life is always a crucial factor, and the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) doesn't disappoint. Thanks to the efficiency of the M1 chip, this tablet can easily last through a full day of typical use. Whether you're browsing the web, watching videos, or working on documents, you won't have to worry about running out of battery. Apple claims that the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) can last up to 10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi or watching video. In my testing, I found that this claim is pretty accurate. With moderate use, I was able to get even longer battery life. Of course, battery life will vary depending on your usage. If you're playing graphics-intensive games or editing 4K videos, you'll likely see shorter battery life. But for most users, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) will easily last through a full day. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) also supports fast charging, so you can quickly top up the battery when needed. The included 20W USB-C power adapter can charge the iPad from 0% to 100% in about 2.5 hours. If you're in a hurry, you can use a more powerful charger to charge the iPad even faster. Overall, the battery life of the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is excellent. The efficient M1 chip and large battery combine to provide long-lasting power that will keep you going all day long. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone who likes to use their tablet on the go, you'll appreciate the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)'s impressive battery life.

Is it Still Worth It?

So, the big question: is the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) still worth buying? Even with newer models on the market, the answer is a resounding yes, especially if you can find it at a good price. The M1 chip is still incredibly powerful, the display is gorgeous, and the overall experience is top-notch. If you're looking for a premium tablet that can handle anything you throw at it, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is an excellent choice. It's perfect for creative professionals, students, or anyone who wants the best possible tablet experience. However, if you need the absolute latest and greatest technology, or heavily rely on features exclusive to newer models, then you might consider those. But for most users, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) remains a fantastic option that offers incredible value for the money. You get a powerful processor, a stunning display, and a wide range of features that make it a joy to use. And with its long battery life, you can take it with you wherever you go without worrying about running out of power. Plus, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is compatible with a wide range of accessories, including the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, which can enhance your productivity and creativity. So, if you're in the market for a new tablet, be sure to give the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) a serious look. You might just find that it's the perfect device for your needs. Just keep an eye out for deals and discounts, as the price can vary depending on the retailer and configuration.

Pros and Cons

To summarize, let's break down the pros and cons of the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021):

Pros:

Blazing-fast M1 chip
Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display
Excellent battery life
Wide range of features and accessories
Premium design and build quality

Cons:

Can be expensive
No headphone jack
Accessories sold separately

Final Thoughts

The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is still a powerhouse tablet that offers an exceptional user experience. Its powerful performance, stunning display, and long battery life make it a great choice for anyone looking for a premium tablet. While it may not be the newest model on the market, it still holds up remarkably well and offers incredible value, especially if you can snag it at a discounted price. So, if you're in the market for a new tablet, don't overlook the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021). It's a true winner!