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iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
An M1 Mac chip arrives in the iPad Pro.
Overview
The third-generation 11-inch iPad Pro was notable for what sat inside: the M1, the same chip Apple had introduced on the Mac only months before. Its eight-core CPU and eight-core GPU delivered a substantial jump in speed, and memory rose to 8 GB or 16 GB depending on the storage tier.
The USB-C port gained Thunderbolt and USB 4 support, allowing faster storage, external displays up to 6K and more demanding accessories. Cellular models picked up 5G, and Wi-Fi 6 improved wireless speeds.
The front camera got a 12-megapixel ultra wide sensor with Center Stage, which kept the user framed during video calls by panning and zooming digitally. The display stayed at 11 inches with ProMotion, while the larger 12.9-inch sibling received a new mini-LED screen.
Why it mattered
Marked the move of iPad Pro to Mac-class silicon, narrowing the hardware gap between tablet and laptop.
At a glance
- Announced
- April 20, 2021
- Released
- May 21, 2021
- Discontinued
- October 18, 2022
- Launch price
- $799
- Chip
- Apple M1
- Display
- 11"
- Storage
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Status
- Discontinued
Highlights
- Apple M1 chip with 8 GB or 16 GB RAM
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 port
- 5G on cellular models
- 12 MP ultra wide front camera with Center Stage
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Display
- Size
- 11-inch
- Type
- Liquid Retina IPS with ProMotion, True Tone, wide color (P3)
- Resolution
- 2388 x 1668 (264 ppi)
- Refresh rate
- Up to 120 Hz
- Brightness
- 600 nits
Chip
- Chip
- Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU
- Coprocessor
- 16-core Neural Engine
Memory
- RAM
- 8 GB (128GB-512GB), 16 GB (1TB-2TB)
- Storage options
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Camera
- Rear camera
- 12 MP wide (f/1.8) + 10 MP ultra wide (f/2.4), LiDAR scanner, 4K video at 60 fps
- Front camera
- 12 MP ultra wide, Center Stage
Battery
- Battery life
- Up to 10 hours of web, video or music
- Capacity
- About 28.65 Wh
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Cellular
- Optional 5G sub-6 GHz and mmWave (US) model
- Connector
- USB-C with Thunderbolt / USB 4 and Smart Connector
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.0
Accessories
- Apple Pencil
- Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
- Keyboard
- Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio
Audio
- Speakers
- Four speakers, five studio-quality microphones
Design
- Dimensions
- 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm
- Weight
- 466 g (Wi-Fi), 468 g (cellular)
Security
- Authentication
- Face ID
Software
- Launch OS
- iPadOS 14.5
- Latest supported OS
- iPadOS 27 (still supported)
How it compares
More in the iPad Pro family
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
A giant-screen iPad built for work, drawing and four speakers.
iPad Pro 9.7-inch
Pro power and a True Tone screen in the familiar 9.7-inch size.
iPad Pro 10.5-inch
ProMotion arrives, filling a larger screen into the same body.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
The big Pro gains ProMotion, a faster chip and a better camera.
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
A new look: no home button, Face ID and USB-C.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
The Face ID redesign in the large 12.9-inch size.
iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
Dual cameras and a LiDAR scanner join the Pro.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
The large Pro gains LiDAR, dual cameras and an A12Z Bionic.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
Mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR brings HDR to the biggest iPad.
iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
M2 speed and Apple Pencil hover in an unchanged body.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
The M2 refresh keeps the mini-LED display and the big canvas.
iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Impossibly thin, with a tandem OLED display and the first M4 chip.
iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
The thinnest Apple product ever, in the large size.
iPad Pro 11-inch (M5)
M5 speed and Apple's own wireless silicon in the OLED Pro.
iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)
The 5.1 mm OLED Pro, upgraded to M5 and Wi-Fi 7.