The new iPad Pro with the M2 chip takes performance a step further, but what all has changed from the previous-gen iPad Pro? Follow along as we compare the M2 iPad Pro and the M1 iPad Pro to help you decide what’s the best choice and what’s new.
In 2021, the 11 and 12.9″ iPad Pro arrived with a powerful M1 chip, Thunderbolt connectivity, 5G for cellular models, new camera features such as Center Stage, and more.
Now the 2022 M2 iPad Pro series brings a lot of tweaks and changes, but many of them are too few to attract customers to the M1 iPad Pro or even the iPad Air.
Below we will break down all the important details of M2 iPad Pro vs M1 iPad Pro. We also have a complete collection of new iPads and more:
M2 iPad Pro vs M1 iPad Pro
Administration
The main difference between the new and old iPad Pro is the upgrade from an M1 to an M2 chip.
It provides 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU (10-core vs. 8-core), and a 2x increase in memory bandwidth from 50 GB/s to 100 GB/s.
Note: 128, 256 and 512GB models have 8GB RAM, 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB RAM.
| 11″ M2 iPad Pro | 11″ M1 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro | |
| Pig | M2 | M1 | M2 | M1 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| GPU cores | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| Nerve cells | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Storage | 128 GB – 2 TB | 128 GB – 2 TB | 128 GB – 2 TB | 128 GB – 2 TB |
| Aries | 8 or 16 GB | 8 or 16 GB | 8 or 16 GB | 8 or 16 GB |
| Memory bandwidth | 100 GB/s | 50 GB/s | 100 GB/s | 50 GB/s |
| Thunderbolt/USB 4 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | 5G | 5G | 5G | 5G |
Aside from a slight increase in CPU and GPU performance, all other features such as storage, RAM, Thunderbolt connectivity, and 5G remain the same between the new and old iPad Pro models.
Presentation
Like the M1 12.9″ iPad Pro, the M2 12.9″ iPad Pro is the only one to feature the Liquid Retina XDR display with miniLED backlighting.
Common display features across all pro models include up to 120Hz ProMotion, wide P3 color, fully laminated displays, anti-reflective coating, and True Tone.
It seems that there is only one difference between the new M2 11 and 12.9″ iPad Pro display and the M1 versions – the new Apple Pencil Hover feature.
| 11″ M2 iPad Pro | 11″ M1 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro | |
| Presentation | 11″ | 11″ | 12.9″ with miniLED | 12.9″ with miniLED |
| Resolution | 2388 x 1668 | 2388 x 1668 | 2732 x 2048 | 2732 x 2048 |
| PPI (pixels per inch) | 264 | 264 | 264 | 264 |
| Show the light | 600 nits | 600 nits | 600 nits SDR, up to 1600 HDR | 600 nits SDR, up to 1600 HDR |
| True tone | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| P3 wide color | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| ProMotion (120Hz) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Anti-reflective coating | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| A fully laminated display | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Liquid Retina Display | ✅ | ✅ | – | – |
| Liquid Retina XDR display | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple Pencil Hover | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Connections and accessories
The new iPad Pro models work with the same Apple accessories as the previous iPad Pro. These include the second Apple Pencil, the Magic Keyboard, and the Smart Folio Keyboard.
Some minor updates with the M2 iPad Pro include Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6E.
| 11 and 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro | 11 and 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro | |
| Apple Pencil gen 2 support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Magic Keyboard support | ✅ | ✅ |
| 5G | ✅ | ✅ |
| Wi-Fi 6 | – | ✅ |
| WiFi 6E | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| USB-C | ✅ USB 4 | ✅ USB 4 |
| Thunderbolt | ✅ | ✅ |
| Facial recognition | ✅ | ✅ |
Interestingly, the new iPad Pro models did not include the Magic Folio Keyboard like the iPad 10.
battery life
2022 iPad Pro models with the M2 chip feature the same battery life as their predecessors:
- 10 hours of web or video use over WiFi
- 9 hours of web usage with cellular
Storage and price
Storage remains the same between the old and new iPad Pro models. And the price — the original MSRP price — hasn’t changed either. However, with new models available now, keep an eye out for M1 iPad Pro discounts.
| 11″ M2 iPad Pro | 11″ M1 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro | 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro | |
| 128 GB Wi-Fi | $799 | $799 | $1,099 | $1,099 |
| 128 GB + cell | $999 | $999 | $1,299 | $1,299 |
| 256 GB Wi-Fi | $899 | $899 | $1,199 | $1,199 |
| 256 GB + cell | $1,099 | $1,099 | $1399 | $1399 |
| 512 GB Wi-Fi | $1,099 | $1,099 | $1399 | $1399 |
| 512 GB + cell | $1299 | $1,299 | $1,599 | $1,599 |
| 1TB Wi-Fi | $1,499 | $1,499 | $1799 | $1799 |
| 1TB + cell | $1,699 | $1,699 | $1,999 | $1,999 |
| 2TB Wi-Fi | $1,899 | $1,899 | $2,199 | $2,199 |
| 2TB + cell | $2,099 | $2,099 | $2,399 | $2,399 |
Camera, video and audio
With the iPad Pro’s rear camera system, you have a 12 MP wide lens, a 10 MP ultra wide lens, LiDAR Scanner, and True Tone flash.
On the back, you get a 12 MP ultra wide lens with Center Stage support.
The only changes between the M2 and M1 iPad Pro, so far, are Smart HDR 4 photos versus Smart HDR 3 and the ability to shoot ProRes video in 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB models).
| 11 and 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro | 11 and 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro | |
| 12 MP wide lens | ✅ | ✅ |
| 10MP ultra wide lens | ✅ | ✅ |
| LiDAR | ✅ | ✅ |
| 4K video | ✅ | ✅ |
| ProRes video up to 4K 30 fps | ✅ | ❌ |
| Extended dynamic range | ✅ | ✅ |
| Slo-mo video | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rear camera flash | ✅ | ✅ |
| TrueDepth camera with Face ID | ✅ | ✅ |
| 12 MP Ultra wide front camera | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2x optical zoom | ✅ | ✅ |
| Smart HDR images 3 | – | ✅ |
| Smart HDR 4 photos | ✅ | ❌ |
| Center Stage auto-tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| 4-speaker audio | ✅ | ✅ |
| Stereo recording | ✅ | ✅ |
| 5 studio quality microphones | ✅ | ✅ |
The iPad Pro’s front camera also supports Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, and Animoji/Memoji.
Surprisingly, while the iPad 10 has a wide-angle Landscape front camera, the iPad Pro keeps the front camera on the top bezel (short side).
Size, weight, color
Size and weight are the same between the M2 iPad Pro and the M1 iPad Pro according to Apple:
- M2 and M1 11-inch iPad Pro: 1.03 pounds, 9.74 inches (247.6 mm) high, 7.02 inches (178.5 mm) wide, 0.23 inches (5.9 mm) thick
- M2 and M1 12.9-inch iPad Pro: 1.5 pounds, 11.04 inches (280.6 mm) high, 8.46 inches (214.9 mm) wide, 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) thick
The color options remain the same with silver and gray.
Other minor differences
Two other small differences you’ll notice with the M2 iPad Pro:
- Instead of a plastic cable, the USB-C cable in the box is threaded
- “iPad Pro” wordmark on the back instead of “iPad” on previous iPad Pro models
- The gray M2 iPad Pro may be slightly lighter than the gray finish of the M1 iPad Pro with the antenna line being more muted for the cellular models.
M2 iPad Pro vs M1 iPad Pro result
Why buy M2 iPad Pro?
When you consider all the similarities between the M2 iPad Pro and the M1, you’ll probably only want to choose the new model if you’re a professional with workflows that will benefit from the M2 chip/ProRes support or you’re just fine. spending money on the latest and greatest from Apple.
The M2 iPad Pro is available at Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, BH Photo, and more with stock looking good everywhere.
Why buy M1 iPad Pro?
While you can get most of the features of the M2 iPad Pro with the M1 iPad Pro and the processor difference isn’t a problem for most users, choosing one over the counter can be a popular move.
Also, don’t forget the iPad Air offers a great package at a cheaper price than the last iPad Pro. That is if you’re fine with the 11-inch size.
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