Apple’s new iPad Pro boasts M1, 5G and a mini-LED display

Apple is determined to stay ahead in the mobile tablet market, and that was clearer than ever at its Spring Loaded event. The company launched an updated iPad Pro for 2021 with computer-grade performance – also because it uses more technology for computers.

Both the 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro for 2021 focus on the M1 processor, which was previously only found in the Mac. The chip offers up to 50% more performance than the previous iPad Pro, with up to 40% faster graphics and up to 16 GB of storage. You also get optional 5G data as well as features you might not expect from a mobile tablet, including a Thunderbolt port for high-speed peripherals (including Pro Display XDR at a full 6KB) and twice as fast storage up to 2TB.

There’s also a stronger incentive to buy the larger iPad Pro in 2021. The 12.9-inch model is Apple’s first device with a mini LED display and promises an image quality that is closer to that of the Pro Display XDR. The 10,000 lights of the Liquid Display XDR offer a brightness of 1,600 nits and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000: 1, which is exceptionally high for a non-OLED screen. You can rely more on it for color accurate photo and video work.

Even the front camera got a welcome update in the iPad Pro 2021. The ultra-wide 12-megapixel front sensor introduces Center Stage, a function in the style of a Facebook portal that allows people to stay in the picture while they are moving. You don’t have to stand right in front of the iPad during a work meeting or a remote family get-together.

See also: The best Android tablets you can buy

However, you still pay a premium. The 2021 iPad Pro will be available to order starting April 30, starting at $ 799 for the 11-inch iPad Pro with WiFi and 128 GB of storage. It’s a steep $ 1,099 for the 12.9-inch edition. Before considering accessories like the Magic Keyboard ($ 299 or $ 349, now available in white depending on size) or the $ 129 Apple Pencil. The two ships later in May.

How do you compare to the Android tablet competition? It’s harder than you might think. Put simply, the 2021 iPad Pro starts where Android tablets normally leave off. Apple’s Slate is much more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus for $ 649, but it also offers more processing power, connectivity, and storage options. As the name suggests, this latest iPad is aimed at the creative and uncompromising enthusiast for whom the Tab S7 Plus is more mainstream geared. The iPad Air is more of a direct competitor to most high-end Android offerings.

That makes the 2021 iPad Pro a tough best seller if you don’t need its power or want a more flexible platform than the iPad OS. At the same time, the question arises, why are you not seeing more powerful Android tablets. If you need more than 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage in a mobile tablet, then you probably have to go for an iPad Pro – and that doesn’t take into account perks like a mini LED display. Like it or not, Apple is probably your best bet if you need a mobile tablet for demanding creative endeavors.