Device hub · Tablets · Desk research
iPad Pro (M1)
iPad Pro (M1) is the April 2021 leftover Pro: first Thunderbolt + first 12.9 mini-LED XDR, M1 8-core GPU, 8/16GB, Wi-Fi 6 / BT 5.0, $799 / $1,099 US Wi-Fi start.
Product images
Placeholder — OEM press not licensediPad Pro (M1)
Credit: GadgetShowdown labeled placeholder (not an Apple asset). View official product image
Studio still only. Manufacturer press JPEGs are not hosted here. See the official product page for the real product photo.
Placeholder — OEM press not licensediPad Pro (M1)
Credit: GadgetShowdown labeled placeholder (not an Apple asset). View official product image
Studio still only. Manufacturer press JPEGs are not hosted here. See the official product page for the real product photo.
In short
iPad Pro (M1) is the April 2021 leftover Pro: first Thunderbolt + first 12.9 mini-LED XDR, M1 8-core GPU, 8/16GB, Wi-Fi 6 / BT 5.0, $799 / $1,099 US Wi-Fi start. Buy leftover/refurb if you want that first XDR / Thunderbolt generation. Skip it if you want M2 Wi-Fi 6E / hover or current tandem OLED / Pencil Pro.
Who it is for
- Leftover / refurb shoppers who want the first Thunderbolt iPad Pro and the first 12.9-inch mini-LED XDR — not M2 radios or later tandem OLED.
- People comparing M1 vs M2 vs M4/M5 Pro on GPU core count, Wi-Fi generation, Bluetooth, and whether Support prints Pencil hover.
- Cellular travelers who still need a nano-SIM tray. Later M4/M5 Support sheets are eSIM-only.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who wants current Pro hardware. That is iPad Pro (M5): tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR, Pencil Pro, N1 / C1X.
- Buyers who want published Pencil hover or Wi-Fi 6E. Live Support 111897 / 111896 list Pencil 2nd gen + USB-C without a hover line, and Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.0. M2 Support later adds hover, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.
- People who need a compact 8.3-inch tablet. M1 Pro is 11-inch / 12.9-inch class, 466–685 g before a keyboard.
Key differentiators
- Two different display stacks on one hub: 11-inch IPS Liquid Retina at 600 nits SDR; 12.9-inch mini-LED XDR with 2596 local-dimming zones and 1000/1600-nit HDR — Apple’s first iPad XDR.
- M1 with 8-core CPU (4P+4E), 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine; 8GB RAM on 128/256/512GB and 16GB on 1TB/2TB. M2 Support later lists a 10-core GPU and 100GB/s bandwidth — do not copy those onto this sheet.
- First iPad Pro Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 up to 40Gb/s; USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s).
- Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.0 and optional 5G with nano-SIM + eSIM + mmWave. Not Wi-Fi 6E / BT 5.3 (M2) and not N1 / C1X (M5).
Caveats
- Every nits, battery-hour, and Newsroom performance line is an Apple claim. GadgetShowdown has not lab-tested M1 iPad Pro.
- Pencil hover is not on the 111897 / 111896 display blocks we re-opened 2026-09-19. Do not invent it from the M2 hub.
- 11-inch and 12.9-inch are one line with two display technologies. Do not pretend the 11-inch has mini-LED XDR.
- Apple product photography is not hosted here.
Tablet-category specs
Same rows on every tablet page (iPad Pro / Air / mini, Galaxy Tab S, Pixel Tablet).
| Attribute | Value | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 11-inch model 11-inch rectangle diagonal; 12.9-inch model 12.9-inch rectangle diagonal (rounded-corner footnote) | Apple Support 111897 / 111896Apple: actual viewable area is less than the rectangle measurement. |
| Display type | 11-inch: Liquid Retina; LED-backlit IPS Multi-Touch. 12.9-inch: Liquid Retina XDR; mini-LED backlit Multi-Touch IPS with 2596 full-array local-dimming zones | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Display resolution | 11-inch: 2388 × 1668 at 264 ppi; 12.9-inch: 2732 × 2048 at 264 ppi | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Peak brightness (OEM) | Both sizes: SDR 600 nits max. 12.9-inch XDR only: 1000 nits max full screen, 1600 nits peak (HDR content only); 1,000,000:1 contrast | Apple Support 111897 / 111896Do not copy tandem-OLED 1000-nit SDR language from M4/M5 onto the 11-inch IPS row. |
| Refresh rate | ProMotion technology (Apple Support does not publish a 10–120 Hz numeric range on these 2021 sheets) | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Display features | Wide color (P3); True Tone; oleophobic coating; fully laminated; antireflective coating; 1.8% reflectivity. Pencil hover is not printed on these Support display blocks (accessed 2026-09-19). | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Sold size(s) | 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation) and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation), both M1 | Apple Newsroom, 2021-04-20; Apple Support titles |
| Dimensions | 11-inch: 247.6 × 178.5 × 5.9 mm; 12.9-inch: 280.6 × 214.9 × 6.4 mm | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Weight | 11-inch Wi-Fi 466 g; 11-inch cellular 470 g; 12.9-inch Wi-Fi 682 g; 12.9-inch cellular 685 g | Apple Support 111897 / 111896Case-only figures from Apple; Keyboard / Pencil not included. |
| Finishes | Silver; Space Gray | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Chassis / enclosure | Aluminum iPad Pro enclosure (Apple Environment block language on Support if present; not a detailed recycled-content percentage on the cells we pulled) | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Chip / processor | Apple M1: 8-core CPU (4 performance + 4 efficiency), 8-core GPU, 16-core. | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB RAM on 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB; 16GB RAM on 1TB or 2TB | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| On-device storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB (no microSD) | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Operating system | iPadOS (Apple Support names the OS family; these leftover sheets still show iPadOS 15 in the OS block). Confirm the current signed iPadOS on apple.com/ipados — do not freeze 2021 launch software. | Apple Support 111897 / 111896; Newsroom 2021-04-20 |
| Pencil / stylus | Supports Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil (USB-C). Neither Pencil is in the box. Pencil Pro is not listed. Hover is not printed on these Support display blocks (accessed 2026-09-19). | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Keyboard / cover (OEM) | Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio (sold separately). Newsroom education block at launch: second-generation Apple Pencil $119; Smart Keyboard Folio $159 / $179 for college students; Magic Keyboard college prices also listed on that post. Smart Connector on the chassis. | Apple Newsroom, 2021-04-20; Support buttons/connectors |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Speakers | Four speaker audio | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Microphones | Five studio-quality microphones for calls, video recording, and audio recording | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Cellular | Wi-Fi models: none. Wi-Fi + Cellular: 5G NR + 5G NR mmWave with 4x4 MIMO language on the band footnotes; Gigabit LTE; nano-SIM (supports Apple SIM) + eSIM. 11-inch models A2301 and A2379 on Support 111897. | Apple Support 111897 |
| Wireless (Wi-Fi / Bluetooth) | 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6; simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); HT80 with MIMO; Bluetooth 5.0. Not Wi-Fi 6E — that lands on M2 Support. | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Ports / expansion | Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Thunderbolt 3 up to 40Gb/s; USB 4 up to 40Gb/s; USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s); magnetic Pencil connector; Smart Connector; SIM tray on cellular SKUs | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Rear camera | Pro camera system: 12MP Wide ƒ/1.8 + 10MP Ultra Wide ƒ/2.4 (125°); LiDAR Scanner; 4K video up to 60 fps | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Front camera | TrueDepth 12MP Ultra Wide, 122° field of view, ƒ/2.4; Center Stage; 1080p video | Apple Support 111897 / 111896; Newsroom 2021-04-20 |
| Battery (OEM) | 11-inch 28.65Wh; 12.9-inch 40.88Wh. Up to 10 hours Wi-Fi web or video; cellular models up to 9 hours web on cellular | Apple Support 111897 / 111896Apple test footnote: March 2021 preproduction 11-inch (3rd gen) and 12.9-inch (5th gen) units, 50% brightness. |
| Charging (OEM) | USB-C Charge Cable (1m) and 20W USB-C Power Adapter in the box. Charging via adapter or USB-C to computer. No published 50%-in-30-minutes table on these Support sheets (accessed 2026-09-19). | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Durability / ingress | Not published | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Location / GNSS | All models: digital compass, Wi-Fi, iBeacon. Cellular models add GPS/GNSS | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| US MSRP (launch) | 11-inch Wi-Fi $799; 11-inch cellular $999; 12.9-inch Wi-Fi $1,099; 12.9-inch cellular $1,299 (US, 20 April 2021) | Apple Newsroom, 2021-04-20 |
| Price band | Previous flagship tablet ($799–$1,299+ US launch before Pencil/Keyboard) | Derived from Apple launch prices |
| Announced | 20 April 2021 | Apple Newsroom |
| Availability | Order from Friday 30 April 2021; Newsroom said available in the second half of May; Apple later said stores Friday 21 May 2021. Superseded by iPad Pro (M2) on 18 October 2022, then M4 (7 May 2024) and M5 (15 October 2025). | Apple Newsroom 2021-04-20; 2021-04-29 orders post; 2021-05-21 stores post |
iPad Pro (M1) extras
Unique to this line or SKU. Other tablets keep the first table aligned and swap this extras list.
| Attribute | Value | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| First Thunderbolt iPad Pro | Newsroom: Thunderbolt support is new on this generation. Support: Thunderbolt 3 / USB 4 up to 40Gb/s. | Apple Newsroom, 2021-04-20; Support 111897 / 111896 |
| First 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) | 2596 full-array local-dimming zones; 1000/1600-nit HDR table. The 11-inch sibling stays IPS Liquid Retina at 600 nits SDR. Tandem OLED arrives on M4. | Apple Support 111896; Newsroom 2021-04-20 |
| LiDAR Scanner | Rear LiDAR listed on both sizes. | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Five studio-quality microphones | Support lists five mics on M1 Pro. Same count later repeats on M2. M4/M5 Support lists a four-mic array. | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Pencil hover not on these sheets | 111897 / 111896 display blocks list Pencil 2nd gen + USB-C and do not print hover. M2 Support 111842 / 111841 later adds hover. Do not back-port it. | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| In the box | iPad Pro; USB-C Charge Cable (1m); 20W USB-C Power Adapter | Apple Support 111897 / 111896 |
| Later leftover sibling | iPad Pro (M2) is live at /tablets/ipad-pro-m2/ — 10-core GPU, Wi-Fi 6E / BT 5.3, published hover. Same 11/12.9 mm and gram table. | Apple Support 111842 / 111841 |
Overview
iPad Pro with M1 is the April 2021 Pro — the generation that first shipped Thunderbolt and the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED panel. Apple sold two sizes as one line: 11-inch (3rd generation) IPS Liquid Retina and 12.9-inch (5th generation) Liquid Retina XDR. Current Pro sell-in is M5. This hub stays so leftover and refurb shoppers, and the vs mesh, have an OEM first table instead of mixing M1 Wi-Fi 6 with M2 6E or M4 OLED language.
We have not used this iPad. Newsroom “fastest device of its kind” and any later Apple Intelligence add-on stay labeled as Apple claims.
Display
Two stacks.
| Size | Apple’s display name | Resolution | Brightness (OEM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-inch | Liquid Retina IPS | 2388 × 1668 / 264 ppi | SDR 600 nits max |
| 12.9-inch | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED (2596 zones) | 2732 × 2048 / 264 ppi | SDR 600; XDR 1000 full-screen / 1600 peak HDR |
Both list ProMotion, P3, True Tone, lamination, antireflective coating, and 1.8% reflectivity. Support does not print a 10–120 Hz numeric range on these 2021 sheets — we do not invent one. Hover is not on these display blocks.
Chip, memory, and storage
| Storage | Unified memory | CPU / GPU |
|---|---|---|
| 128 / 256 / 512GB | 8GB | 8-core CPU / 8-core GPU |
| 1TB / 2TB | 16GB | same 8-core CPU / 8-core GPU |
Both tiers list a 16-core Neural Engine. Memory bandwidth GB/s is not published on 111897 / 111896 — do not copy M2’s 100GB/s. No microSD.
Pencil, keyboard, and speakers
- Pencil: 2nd generation + USB-C on the live Support sheets. Not Pencil Pro. Not in the box. Hover not printed here.
- Keyboard: Magic Keyboard / Smart Keyboard Folio, sold separately. Smart Connector on the chassis.
- Speakers: Four speaker audio. Mics: five studio-quality.
Cellular, wireless, and ports
- Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0 on every M1 Pro. M2 later publishes Wi-Fi 6E / BT 5.3.
- Cellular is a separate SKU: 5G NR + mmWave, Gigabit LTE, nano-SIM + eSIM.
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 up to 40Gb/s; USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s.
Battery and charging (OEM table only)
| Mode (Apple’s words) | M1 Pro claim |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi web or video | Up to 10 hours |
| Cellular web | Up to 9 hours |
| Pack | 28.65Wh (11-inch) / 40.88Wh (12.9-inch) |
| In-box charge | 20W USB-C adapter + 1m cable |
No published fast-charge table on Support 111897 / 111896 (accessed 19 September 2026).
How this page compares on a desk (not a vs-page)
| Desk fact (OEM) | iPad Pro (M1) | iPad Pro (M2) | iPad Pro (M5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | IPS 11 / first mini-LED 12.9 | Same public IPS / mini-LED table | Tandem OLED XDR 11/13 |
| GPU | 8-core | 10-core | 10-core (SKU split on CPU) |
| Pencil | 2nd gen + USB-C; hover not on sheet | 2nd gen + USB-C + hover | Pencil Pro + USB-C + hover |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 / BT 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6E / BT 5.3 | N1 Wi-Fi 7 / BT 6 / Thread |
| Cellular SIM | nano-SIM + eSIM | nano-SIM + eSIM | eSIM + C1X |
| US Wi-Fi start | $799 / $1,099 (Apr 2021) | $799 / $1,099 (Oct 2022) | $999 / $1,299 (Oct 2025) |
Sources
- Apple Newsroom — Apple unveils new iPad Pro with M1 chip and stunning Liquid Retina XDR display — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Newsroom — All-new iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K orders start tomorrow — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Newsroom — iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K in stores Friday — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Support — iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) tech specs — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Support — iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) tech specs — accessed 2026-09-19
Frequently asked questions
Is M1 still the current iPad Pro?
No. Current Pro on 19 September 2026 is iPad Pro (M5). M2 (October 2022) is the leftover mini-LED sibling with Wi-Fi 6E. Keep this slug as the first Thunderbolt / first 12.9 XDR generation.
Does the 11-inch M1 have Liquid Retina XDR?
No. Support 111897 is IPS Liquid Retina at 600 nits SDR. XDR mini-LED is the 12.9-inch sheet (111896). Tandem OLED XDR starts on M4.
Does Support print Pencil hover?
Not on 111897 / 111896 (re-opened 2026-09-19). Those sheets list Pencil 2nd gen + USB-C only. Hover is printed on the later M2 Support sheets.
How much RAM on the $799 SKU?
Apple publishes 8GB on 128/256/512GB. 1TB/2TB are 16GB. Do not invent 12GB from the later M5 floor.
eSIM only?
No. Support still lists nano-SIM (supports Apple SIM) + eSIM on these leftover Pro sheets. M4/M5 cellular SKUs later go eSIM-only.
Official product page: iPad Pro (M1). Tech specs: iPad Pro (M1) specs.