iPad Pro 2018 iPad Pro 11 vs 2021 iPad Pro 11 M1?

[omelet1978]

Hi,

I have a 2018 iPad Pro 11 256gb with LTE, and it is still running extremely well after 2.5 years of ownership. Has anyone with a 2018 iPad Pro 11 upgraded to the 2021 iPad Pro 11 M1 and if so have you seen any noticeable speed improvements.

I’ve read through the various threads on here and it appears to be mostly a spec bump with the standard apps loading faster as well as Safari being a bit faster too. Also from my research the M1 is overkill bc iPadOS is so limiting, so as a result I have not upgraded yet and am trying to wait until next year since that is supposedly when the iPad Pro 11 will get the updated screen as well. However, I just thought I’d ask and if I’m wrong and you are noticing noticeable improvements I just thought I’d ask!

Thanks

 

[mclld]

I couldn't imagine it being worth the upgrade. Now if you didn't have an iPad then sure but no way would I upgrade from the 2018

 

[Shirasaki]

Well, games run better and cooler. That’s the most glaring difference I could tell from upgrading.


However, if you don’t game, only light productivity apps, drawings etc, 1 or 2 second app launch time saving wont really benefit much in the long run. Pay for miniLED upgrade instead.

 

[Surfman]

I have a 2018 iPad Pro 11 256gb with LTE, and it is still running extremely well after 2.5 years of ownership. Has anyone with a 2018 iPad Pro 11 upgraded to the 2021 iPad Pro 11 M1 and if so have you seen any noticeable speed improvements.

I did to the the M1 12.9" . Sorry can't help you other than to say I wouldn't of bothered going to another 11" as the screen is no different and just a speck bump, my wife has the 2108 11" and works same as day 1.
I would wait till they upgrade the screen if you are stuck on 11" size.
Going to the 12.9 was a big jump in screen quality and speed.

 

[doboy]

Depends on what you’re doing of course. At minimum you should see much more apps and/or Safari tabs stay in memory and not reload since M1 has 2-4x more RAM depending on configuration. I upgraded from 2020 11” and it was good enough improvement for me.

 

[MhaelK]

Based on the fact that your 2020 is ”still running extremely well“ and the fact that iPadOS still can’t utilize the true potential of the M1.

Better to hold on for another year, and get the 2022 11inch M2 iPP with miniLED. IMO.

 

[Jára Tyky]

I dont think there will be M2 iPP in 2022.

 

[omelet1978]

I dont think there will be M2 iPP in 2022.

I'd guess it would be fall 2022 since iPad's sometimes seem to be on a 1.5 year update cycle. Most likely a small spec bump and the miniLED screen.

 

[Jára Tyky]

M1 is actually overkil in iPad Pro, so I think there will be no upgrade in performance in few years.

Maybe something unsignifficant as A12X went to Z.

 

[azentropy]

I was and I guess still am debating it but only because my 2018 iPad Pro 11 screen is cracked/webbed. I put a screen protector over it and it hasn't cracked or webbed more and is usable, but looks pretty bad. I really want to hold out the mini LED.

 

[Jára Tyky]

I have it and it is great ?

 

[Abazigal]

My 2018 iPad Pro feels largely the same to me. If apps are loading faster, I don’t see it, but the public beta has been pretty smooth for me so far.

 

[Digitalguy]

from 2018 to 2021 it's not speed the main difference, it's RAM. So you'll have much less reloads. The 2018 with 4GB reloads quite often. So it depends if this bothers you or not, That's the only big difference, the rest is marginal.

 

[Jára Tyky]

from 2018 to 2021 it's not speed the main difference, it's RAM. So you'll have much less reloads. The 2018 with 4GB reloads quite often. So it depends if this bothers you or not, That's the only big difference, the rest is marginal.

Marginal?

• Miniled (12.9”)
• Thunderbolt port
• 5G (Celular)
• 8 GB RAM
• 50% more performance
• Desktop Apple Chip
• Better camera
• centered stage
• More years on updates
• Fresh new battery
• Harder to bent (more mm in bulk is actually for me advantage because on it feels to me much more premium than holdin 2018-2020)

 

[Digitalguy]

• Thunderbolt port
• Miniled (12.9”)
• 5G
• 8 GB RAM
• 50% more performance
• Apple Chip
• Better camera
• centered stage
• More years on updates
• Fresh new battery

Miniled doesn't matter, it's the 11in, 5G is optional, thunderbolt at this point is almost useless, they are all Apple Chips, Better comera is marginal (other than center stage), next gen pro will get even more years of updates and even fresher battery, and 50% more speed makes much less difference than double the RAM for most uses...

 

[Digitalguy]

M1 is actually overkil in iPad Pro, so I think there will be no upgrade in performance in few years.

Maybe something unsignifficant as A12X went to Z.

At this point the iPad pro will probably get the exact same (M2 in 2022) chip as the Macbook air, just a few months later

 

[Jára Tyky]

Miniled doesn't matter, it's the 11in, 5G is optional, thunderbolt at this point is almost useless, they are all Apple Chips, Better comera is marginal (other than center stage), next gen pro will get even more years of updates and even fresher battery, and 50% more speed makes much less difference than double the RAM for most uses...

Do u speak from experience with M1 2021 or from reading website storries?
I have changed iPad Pro 12.9” 2020 for 2021 and I see quite a big difference.

 

[rui no onna]

Do u speak from experience with M1 2021 or from reading website storries?
I have changed iPad Pro 12.9” 2020 for 2021 and I see quite a big difference.

The 11" model (which is what this thread is about) doesn't have Mini-LED hence, no display upgrade.

 

[Digitalguy]

Do u speak from experience with M1 2021 or from reading website storries?
I have changed iPad Pro 12.9” 2020 for 2021 and I see quite a big difference.

I have tried the M1 iPad and honestly in normal usage it’s not a big difference. It’s a similar difference as moving from A10X to A12X, not a reason to upgrade by itself unless you regularly use specific apps that can take advantage of the additional speed (I upgraded from 10.5 to 11 because of USB C, pencil etc, not lack of speed). I just bought a M1 Mac Mini and there the full performance of M1 can be more easily leveraged. As for the M1 iPad, RAM is the big differentiating factor

 

[Jára Tyky]

The 11" model (which is what this thread is about) doesn't have Mini-LED hence, no display upgrade.

Read my previous post again.

 

[rui no onna]

Read my previous post again.

I have and I actually had the chance to compare 2018, 2020 and 2021 at one point. I agree with @Digitalguy.

OP wants the 11" so no Mini-LED/display improvement.

I don't really notice much performance difference between A12X/A12Z and M1. Best thing with the 2021 for me is the 16GB RAM. Tabs and apps stayed open even after a week.

5G is hit or miss at this point. Depending on carrier, location and time of day, sometimes it's slower than LTE. Also, it's a moot point if buying the wifi-only model.

Thunderbolt appears to be limited to USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds at this time.

I don't really care much about the cameras and Center Stage.

The bending concerns on 2018-2020 seem overblown (granted, I use cases).

Yes, the 2021 iPP will get more updates and it does have a fresh battery. However, whatever succeeds it will likely get even more updates and an even newer battery.

I'm upgrading from the 2017 iPP and for me, it was worth spending extra on the 2021 since I expect to keep it at least 3 years. For someone who has no issues with their current iPad, might as well wait until there's an even bigger improvement. The 2021 iPP is nice and all but the next one will be better.

 

[Jára Tyky]

I have and I actually had the chance to compare 2018, 2020 and 2021 at one point. I agree with @Digitalguy.

OP wants the 11" so no Mini-LED/display improvement.

I don't really notice much performance difference between A12X/A12Z and M1. Best thing with the 2021 for me is the 16GB RAM. Tabs and apps stayed open even after a week.

5G is hit or miss at this point. Depending on carrier, location and time of day, sometimes it's slower than LTE. Also, it's a moot point if buying the wifi-only model.

Thunderbolt appears to be limited to USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds at this time.

I don't really care much about the cameras and Center Stage.

The bending concerns on 2018-2020 seem overblown (granted, I use cases).

Yes, the 2021 iPP will get more updates and it does have a fresh battery. However, whatever succeeds it will likely get even more updates and an even newer battery.

I'm upgrading from the 2017 iPP and for me, it was worth spending extra on the 2021 since I expect to keep it at least 3 years. For someone who has no issues with their current iPad, might as well wait until there's an even bigger improvement. The 2021 iPP is nice and all but the next one will be better.

About battery - I was using iPad Pro 2020 and I thought that I used it very little. But my battery had already 253 cycles. From 1000 cycles it is 25% of iPad devaluation. So I spent "few bucks" and now have 100% battery condition and much better device that can last much more right now. Due to the M1 chip the battery does not drain so much when using performace.

 

[rui no onna]

About battery - I was using iPad Pro 2020 and I thought that I used it very little. But my battery had already 253 cycles. From 1000 cycles it is 25% of iPad devaluation. So I spent "few bucks" and now have 100% battery condition and much better device that can last much more right now. Due to the M1 chip the battery does not drain so much when using performace.

A "few bucks" is subjective. Personally, I don't resell my devices so to me, the 2021 12.9 1TB 5G is a ~$2200 cash outlay (with tax). I don't consider that to be a "few bucks".

Mind, the 2021 was actually $900 more than the certified refurb/open box 2018/2019 12.9 1TB LTE (~$1300). However, considering I wish to keep it for 4-5 years, I figured I'd be much happier spending $2200 and benefiting from extra RAM, etc. now rather than $1300 now for the refurb 2018 then $1300 for the refurb 2021 or $2000+ for the latest model after 3 years.

With that said, I did notice the M1 iPad Pro having much better battery life compared to the 2018/2020 with my usage and settings (mostly reading and web browsing at 0-25% screen brightness).

 

[Digitalguy]

A "few bucks" is subjective. Personally, I don't resell my devices so to me, the 2021 12.9 1TB 5G is a ~$2200 cash outlay (with tax). I don't consider that to be a "few bucks".

Mind, the 2021 was actually $900 more than the certified refurb/open box 2018/2019 12.9 1TB LTE (~$1300). However, considering I wish to keep it for 4-5 years, I figured I'd be much happier spending $2200 and benefiting from extra RAM, etc. now rather than $1300 now for the refurb 2018 then $1300 for the refurb 2021 or $2000+ for the latest model after 3 years.

With that said, I did notice the M1 iPad Pro having much better battery life compared to the 2018/2020 with my usage and settings (mostly reading and web browsing at 0-25% screen brightness).

I see people complaining about it having worse battery life or at least no better, despite the bigger battery. My guess is that they watch HDR content that get much brighter on the M1.
By the way I don't think that M1 consumes any less than A12X/Z, the difference is the battery size

 

[Jára Tyky]

Maybe if you play games there can be lower battery consumption.