iPad vs iPad Pro: Which Apple Tablet Should You Buy?

Apple's iPad lineup is more confusing than ever. You've got the base iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro—all running the same operating system, all supporting the Apple Pencil (sort of), and all capable of most tablet tasks. For many buyers, the real decision comes down to the standard iPad versus the iPad Pro.

The price gap is significant—we're talking $449 versus $999+ depending on configuration. Is the Pro worth more than double the price? Let's find out.

The Quick Comparison

Display: The Visible Difference

The display is where you'll notice the biggest day-to-day difference between these tablets.

iPad Display

The standard iPad has a Liquid Retina display—Apple's marketing term for a quality LCD panel. It's bright (500 nits), sharp (264 ppi), and perfectly good for most uses.

What you get: - 10.9-inch screen - 2360 x 1640 resolution - 60Hz refresh rate - True Tone (adjusts to ambient light) - P3 wide color gamut

iPad Pro Display

The Pro's Ultra Retina XDR display is in a different league entirely. It uses OLED technology (specifically, tandem OLED) for perfect blacks and incredible contrast.

What you get: - 11-inch or 12.9-inch options - ProMotion (up to 120Hz refresh) - 1000 nits sustained, 1600 nits peak HDR - Perfect blacks (OLED) - Reference modes for color-critical work

Does It Matter?

For casual use—browsing, email, video watching—the standard iPad's display is excellent. You won't feel like you're missing out.

For creative work, HDR content, or if you're sensitive to refresh rates, the Pro's display is noticeably superior. The 120Hz ProMotion makes everything feel smoother, from scrolling to Apple Pencil input.

The Pro's display isn't just "better"—it's a different experience. Once you've used 120Hz ProMotion, 60Hz feels sluggish. If you've never used ProMotion, you won't miss what you don't know.

Performance: More Than You Need?

Both iPads are fast. The question is whether you need Pro-level power.

iPad Performance (A14 Bionic)

The A14 chip is the same processor that powered the iPhone 12. It handles: - All iPad apps smoothly - Light photo and video editing - Gaming (most titles) - Multitasking with Stage Manager - Web browsing, streaming, productivity

For 95% of tablet tasks, the A14 is more than sufficient.

iPad Pro Performance (M4)

The M4 chip is Apple's latest, most powerful silicon. It's the same class of chip in MacBooks. It handles: - Professional video editing (4K, 8K, ProRes) - 3D modeling and rendering - Complex music production - Machine learning tasks - Anything you can throw at it

Real-World Difference

The Pro's power is future-proofing and professional capability. If you're not doing heavy creative work, you're paying for performance you won't use.

Apple Pencil Support

Both iPads support Apple Pencil, but not the same one.

iPad + Apple Pencil (USB-C)

The standard iPad works with the Apple Pencil (USB-C), which is the newest but most basic Pencil: - Pressure sensitivity - Tilt support - Low latency - USB-C charging - No: Double-tap, hover, squeeze, barrel roll

Price: $79

iPad Pro + Apple Pencil Pro

The Pro supports the new Apple Pencil Pro with advanced features: - Everything above, plus: - Squeeze gesture for tool switching - Barrel roll for brush angle - Haptic feedback - Find My support - Hover preview

Price: $129

For Artists and Note-Takers

If you're serious about digital art or handwritten notes, the Apple Pencil Pro's features are genuinely useful. Squeeze to switch tools and barrel roll for brush control speed up workflows significantly.

For casual note-taking or occasional sketching, the basic Pencil is perfectly adequate.

For more on Apple accessories, check out our guide on AirPods vs AirPods Pro.

Keyboard and Productivity

Both iPads can be productivity machines with the right accessories.

iPad Keyboard Options

- Magic Keyboard Folio ($249): Detachable keyboard with trackpad - Third-party options: Logitech, Zagg, etc. - No floating design - Function row included

iPad Pro Keyboard Options

- Magic Keyboard ($299-349): Floating design, backlit, trackpad - Smart Keyboard Folio ($179-199): Lighter, no trackpad - USB-C passthrough charging - Premium typing experience

The Laptop Replacement Question

Can either iPad replace a laptop? It depends on your workflow:

iPad can replace laptop if you: - Primarily browse, email, and consume content - Use web-based tools - Do light document editing - Don't need specialized desktop software

iPad Pro can replace laptop if you: - Do creative work (with iPad-optimized apps) - Can adapt to iPadOS limitations - Don't need legacy software - Value portability over versatility

Neither fully replaces a laptop for everyone. iPadOS, while capable, still has limitations compared to macOS or Windows.

Camera and Sensors

iPad Cameras

- Rear: 12MP wide - Front: 12MP ultra-wide with Center Stage - Good for video calls and document scanning - Adequate for casual photos

iPad Pro Cameras

- Rear: 12MP wide + 10MP ultra-wide - Front: 12MP TrueDepth with Face ID - LiDAR Scanner: For AR and 3D scanning - ProRes video recording - Better low-light performance

Face ID vs Touch ID

The Pro has Face ID; the standard iPad has Touch ID in the top button. Both work well. Face ID is more convenient when the iPad is on a desk; Touch ID is easier when holding the tablet.

Storage Considerations

iPad Storage

- 64GB or 256GB options - No expandable storage - 64GB fills up fast with apps and photos - Recommendation: Get 256GB if budget allows

iPad Pro Storage

- 256GB to 2TB options - Higher tiers include more RAM (16GB vs 8GB) - Thunderbolt allows fast external storage - Recommendation: 256GB minimum, 512GB for creative work

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the iPad If:

- You want a tablet for content consumption - Budget is a primary concern - You'll use it for browsing, streaming, reading - Light productivity and note-taking - Kids' education and entertainment - You don't need the latest Apple Pencil features

Buy the iPad Pro If:

- You do professional creative work - Display quality matters (HDR, ProMotion) - You want the best Apple Pencil experience - You need maximum performance for demanding apps - You're using it as a laptop replacement - You want Face ID - Future-proofing is important to you

Consider the iPad Air

If the iPad feels limiting but the Pro seems excessive, the iPad Air ($599) sits in the middle: - M2 chip (very capable) - 10.9" Liquid Retina display - Apple Pencil Pro support - Touch ID - Better value for many users

Value Analysis

iPad at $449 (64GB)

You get a capable tablet that handles most tasks well. The main compromises are storage (64GB is tight) and display (60Hz, LCD). For the price, it's excellent value.

True cost with accessories: - iPad 256GB: $549 - Apple Pencil USB-C: $79 - Magic Keyboard Folio: $249 - Total: $877

iPad Pro at $999 (256GB, 11")

You get professional-grade performance, the best display Apple makes, and premium features throughout. Whether you need them is the question.

True cost with accessories: - iPad Pro 256GB: $999 - Apple Pencil Pro: $129 - Magic Keyboard: $299 - Total: $1,427

The Pro setup costs $550 more. That's significant—enough to buy another iPad.

Got Questions About iPad vs iPad Pro? Let's Clear Things Up.

Is the iPad Pro worth twice the price?

For most people, no. The standard iPad handles typical tablet tasks excellently. The Pro is worth it if you specifically need: the OLED display for creative work, M4 performance for professional apps, Apple Pencil Pro features, or Face ID. If none of those are must-haves, save your money.

Can the regular iPad handle video editing?

Yes, for casual editing. Apps like iMovie and LumaFusion work fine for simple projects. For professional 4K/ProRes editing or complex timelines, the Pro's M4 chip makes a real difference. The standard iPad will feel sluggish with demanding video work.

Which iPad is better for students?

The standard iPad is the better value for most students. It handles note-taking, research, textbooks, and light productivity perfectly. The Pro is only worth it for art/design students or those doing video production coursework.

How long will each iPad be supported?

Apple typically supports iPads for 5-6 years with software updates. The Pro's newer chip means it will likely be supported longer. However, even the standard iPad will receive updates for years to come. Both are good long-term investments.

Should I wait for the next iPad?

Apple updates iPads roughly annually. If a new model is rumored within 2-3 months, waiting might be worthwhile. Otherwise, buy when you need it—there's always something newer coming. The current models are excellent.

Still deciding? Explore more Apple guides and comparisons at Celmin to make the right choice for your needs. https://celmin.ca