iPad 9 (2021, A13 series) vs iPad Pro (2020, A12 series)

The practical lifespan of a tablet is often determined by its hardware durability and, crucially, its software support. The iPad 2021, being released a year later than the iPad Pro 2020, is expected to receive software updates for a slightly longer duration. Apple typically provides 5-6 years of major iPadOS updates for its devices. This means the iPad 2021 will likely continue to receive the latest features and security patches for an additional year compared to the iPad Pro 2020. Both models feature robust aluminum enclosures, offering good resistance to daily wear and tear. Repairability scores for both devices are generally moderate, with common repairs like screen replacements being feasible. Users prioritizing the longest possible software longevity will find the iPad 2021 to have a marginal advantage.

• Software Updates: The iPad 2021 is anticipated to receive major iPadOS updates for approximately one year longer than the iPad Pro 2020, extending its functional lifespan.
• Physical Durability: Both tablets feature durable aluminum constructions, designed to withstand typical daily use, with similar repairability considerations for common components.
• Practical Lifespan: While both offer several years of reliable use, the iPad 2021's newer release date provides a slight edge in terms of extended software support and future compatibility.

The core performance of a tablet dictates its responsiveness and ability to handle various applications, from casual browsing to demanding creative tasks. The iPad 2021 is equipped with a capable processor that handles everyday applications, web browsing, and light gaming smoothly. It provides a responsive experience for general productivity and media consumption. The iPad Pro 2020, on the other hand, features a more advanced processor designed for intensive workloads, offering enhanced capabilities for professional applications, complex multitasking, and graphically demanding games. Its architecture is optimized for sustained performance, which can be beneficial for tasks like video editing or 3D rendering. Storage options also differ, with the iPad Pro 2020 starting with a higher base storage capacity, which can be important for users with large files or extensive app libraries. Both devices offer reliable battery behavior, typically providing a full day of mixed usage.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The iPad 2021 delivers a fluid experience for common tasks, while the iPad Pro 2020 offers a higher level of performance for more demanding applications and intensive multitasking.
• Storage Flexibility: The iPad Pro 2020 provides more generous base storage options and higher maximum capacities, catering to users who require significant space for files and applications.
• Multitasking Capability: The iPad Pro 2020's more powerful internal components and higher RAM capacity contribute to smoother transitions and better handling of multiple applications simultaneously.

The display is a primary interface for any tablet, influencing everything from reading to creative work and media enjoyment. The iPad 2021 features a 10.2-inch Retina IPS display, offering clear visuals and accurate colors suitable for general use and media consumption. It includes True Tone technology, which adjusts the display's color and intensity to match the ambient light, providing a more natural viewing experience. The iPad Pro 2020, available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, boasts a Liquid Retina IPS display with several enhancements. It offers higher brightness levels, which improves visibility in bright outdoor conditions, and features ProMotion technology, enabling an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. This results in noticeably smoother scrolling, more fluid animations, and a more responsive feel, particularly beneficial for drawing, gaming, and fast-paced content. Both displays provide excellent clarity, but the iPad Pro 2020 offers a more advanced visual experience.

• Display Technology: The iPad 2021 uses a standard Retina IPS panel, while the iPad Pro 2020 features a Liquid Retina IPS display with ProMotion for smoother visuals.
• Brightness and Clarity: The iPad Pro 2020 offers higher peak brightness, enhancing outdoor visibility, and its higher resolution on the 12.9-inch model provides greater detail.
• Refresh Rate: The iPad Pro 2020's adaptive 120Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid and responsive interaction, which is particularly noticeable during scrolling and gaming, compared to the iPad 2021's standard refresh rate.

Tablet cameras are increasingly used for more than just casual snapshots, including video calls, document scanning, and augmented reality applications. The iPad 2021 is equipped with an 8-megapixel wide rear camera that performs well for everyday photography and document scanning. Its front-facing 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera is a notable feature, supporting Center Stage, which automatically keeps subjects in the frame during video calls. The iPad Pro 2020 features a more comprehensive camera system, including a 12-megapixel wide lens and a 10-megapixel ultra-wide lens on the rear, alongside a LiDAR Scanner. This scanner enhances augmented reality experiences and improves depth sensing for photography. Its front-facing 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera supports Face ID and offers good quality for video conferencing. Both devices record high-quality video, but the iPad Pro 2020 offers more versatility with its dual-camera setup and LiDAR. For audio, both provide clear microphone quality for calls, and their stereo speakers deliver a satisfactory media consumption experience.

• Rear Camera Versatility: The iPad Pro 2020 offers a dual-camera system with a LiDAR scanner, providing more options for photography and advanced augmented reality applications compared to the iPad 2021's single rear camera.
• Front Camera Features: The iPad 2021 excels with its 12-megapixel ultra-wide front camera and Center Stage, ideal for dynamic video calls, while the iPad Pro 2020's TrueDepth camera enables Face ID.
• Video and Audio: Both tablets are capable of recording clear video and offer good microphone quality for communication, with stereo speakers providing a decent audio experience for media.

Beyond core specifications, various practical features contribute to the overall user experience and device utility. The iPad 2021 retains the traditional Lightning port for charging and data transfer, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering broad compatibility with existing accessories. It supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard. The iPad Pro 2020 adopts a more modern approach with a versatile USB-C port, enabling connections to a wider range of peripherals like external displays and storage devices, but it omits the headphone jack. It supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which attaches magnetically and charges wirelessly, and the Magic Keyboard, which includes a trackpad. Both devices offer reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The iPad 2021 uses Touch ID for secure authentication, while the iPad Pro 2020 utilizes Face ID. In terms of design, the iPad Pro 2020 features a thinner profile and more uniform bezels, contributing to a more contemporary aesthetic.

• Connectivity and Ports: The iPad 2021 uses a Lightning port and includes a headphone jack, while the iPad Pro 2020 features a USB-C port for broader peripheral compatibility but lacks a headphone jack.
• Accessory Support: The iPad 2021 is compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, whereas the iPad Pro 2020 supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard.
• Authentication and Design: The iPad 2021 features Touch ID and a classic design, while the iPad Pro 2020 offers Face ID and a more modern, thinner design with reduced bezels.