Apple 2021 iPad Pro Review: Still the Best Tablet?

The iPad Pro: A Stunning Device Held Back by Software

If you’ve moved several times, you likely understand the excitement of a new living space – a fresh start brimming with potential. However, often this potential is quickly filled with familiar, well-worn belongings.

I’ve personally experienced this numerous times. When I first moved out of my parents’ home, all my furniture was either thrifted, salvaged, or gifted. It was an eclectic mix of styles and eras, each piece carrying its own history. Even after marriage and subsequent moves, much of that same furniture accompanied us.

Over time, these pieces began to feel incongruous with our evolving tastes, and we gradually replaced them with items that better reflected our home and resonated with our lifestyle. Yet, there’s always that one object – like a slightly damaged Dutch-modern coffee table – that evokes memories of karaoke nights in our twenties and sticky kid snacks from our thirties.

The iPad Pro: New Hardware, Familiar Software

This is precisely where the iPad Pro currently stands. It represents a beautiful, innovative achievement by Apple’s engineering and hardware teams, consistently delivering exceptional performance year after year. However, it’s still running iPadOS, software that, while functional, feels increasingly dated.

This assessment focuses on the currently available iPad Pro model, the device consumers are receiving upon order. However, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is just weeks away, and I anticipate revisiting this review with a renewed perspective.

Image Credits: Matthew Panzarino

Hardware Prowess: The M1 Chip

One of the most significant hardware upgrades, the M1 chip, will likely receive a measured response. The M1 is absolutely incredibly fast, matching the performance of the M1 MacBook Pro in benchmark tests. This shifts the focus from raw power to form factor and intended use within Apple’s product lineup.

Frankly, the previous model still feels remarkably responsive in almost all applications and daily tasks. While the M1 offers the latest in silicon technology, upgraders may not notice an immediate difference. This is, in part, intentional.

In a recent interview, Apple’s John Ternus and Greg Joswiak explained that the unified processor strategy and the exceptional display are designed to provide a foundation for developers to build upon.

Image Credits: Matthew Panzarino

Enhanced Cameras and Center Stage

The new iPad Pro cameras, both front and rear, are notably improved, offering increased usability. The upgraded front camera benefits from higher resolution and new wide-angle optics. This wider field of view makes video calls more natural and comfortable.

This is complemented by Center Stage, Apple’s machine learning-powered feature that automatically crops and centers the frame on your face, smoothly panning and zooming as you move. Utilizing machine learning frameworks, Center Stage detects your silhouette and adjusts the camera accordingly. Unlike other auto-zooming features, it feels like having a virtual camera operator ensuring you’re always properly framed. It’s a clever and well-executed upgrade, significantly enhancing iPad Pro usability.

Image Credits: Matthew Panzarino

Center Stage also effectively addresses the iPad Pro’s camera placement. The camera’s position in the “top center” of a vertically oriented iPad Pro translates to the “middle left” when used horizontally with a keyboard, often resulting in awkward video call angles. Center Stage doesn’t eliminate this issue entirely, but it substantially improves usability. The new APIs will also make this feature available to all video calling applications, alongside minor multitasking improvements that prevent video calls from being obscured during Zoom sessions.

A Breathtaking Display

The Liquid Retina XDR display, driven by mini-LED technology, is arguably the best display ever featured on a mobile computer. It’s simply outstanding. The typical brightness is excellent, peaking at 600 nits, while full-screen HDR content reaches an average of 1,000 nits with a peak of 1,600 nits. This display is incredibly bright, dramatically improving daylight viewing of HDR content. It also includes standard features like the 120Hz ProMotion technology.

The 10,000 mini-LEDs enable more precise black levels (as they can turn off completely) and reduced bloom. They also contribute to a noticeably more uniform brightness across the screen and improved off-axis viewing. It’s superior in every aspect – an absolute gold standard display.

Image Credits: Matthew Panzarino

Accessories and Design

Apple’s new Magic Keyboard functions similarly to the previous version, now available in white. Existing Magic Keyboards are fully compatible with the new iPad Pro models. Despite initial concerns about dimensional differences, the fit remains essentially identical, with functionality unchanged. The only noticeable difference is a slight reduction in clearance between the case and the iPad Pro’s edge – approximately 1mm. Apple likely prioritized transparency over potential fit issues.

The white color is aesthetically pleasing, particularly with the silver iPad Pro and its white antenna window accents. However, it’s likely to show wear and tear easily, as the box includes a warning about potential color transfer. My demo unit remains unmarked, but I anticipate it’s only a matter of time.

The keyboard’s overall feel remains excellent, providing a comfortable typing experience and serving as an essential accessory for any iPad Pro user.

Software Limitations

However, the iPad’s aging software remains a significant drawback. It’s comparable to the software I reviewed with the iPad Pro in 2020, where my conclusion was that it was adaptable but could be improved. That was a year ago. As a user who has relied on the iPad Pro as my primary portable device for the past two and a half years, I can attest that a substantial leap forward in capability is long overdue.

My request for the iPad’s software is simple: I want to experience the same energy, vibrancy, and performance optimization that the hardware embodies.

Apple’s iPad Pro hardware performs like an athlete at the peak of their condition, significantly ahead of the competition. The M1 chip and mini-LED display are unmatched – it’s exhilarating to witness such excellence in a single device.

Unfortunately, the software cannot keep pace, leaving this iPad Pro feeling like a perfect house furnished with the same old furniture.

Image Credits: Matthew Panzarino

Apple has undeniably achieved remarkable success with the 2021 iPad Pro’s hardware, but a software upgrade is crucial. As a frequent iPad Pro user, I’ve become accustomed to workarounds and adjustments. However, a significant commitment to the iPad paradigm is needed. The pane-style interface offers a remarkably fast and fluid workflow, but lacks comprehensive support.

Too much of the iPad Pro’s current software relies on “affordance valley” – a design approach that treats users as if they are incapable of learning a touch-first interface, ultimately hindering progress.

This is reminiscent of the “reduce animations” affordance from the iOS 7 era. Apple’s initial redesign of iOS included excessive animations to clarify interactions. While not impacting hardware performance, these animations felt sluggish. Disabling them instantly improved the interface’s responsiveness.

Apple eventually refined these animations, acknowledging that users were capable of embracing a more advanced touch experience.

This is where the iPad Pro currently stands – a disparity that is frustrating. It’s one of the best computing devices ever created, capable of so much more than it’s currently allowed to do. Apple’s editorial approach to software is understandable, but currently feels overly conservative for the iPad Pro.

Therefore, I eagerly await WWDC. With such exceptional hardware execution, I anticipate Apple will take a significant leap forward with iPad software. When that happens, and we gain a clear understanding of Apple’s vision for the next generation of iPad workflows, I will revisit this review with a fresh perspective.