Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch M1 review

The 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch M1 is a tablet that’s ideal as a mobile photography command centre, with a few caveats

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)
(Image: © Apple)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The iPad Pro M1 is, simply, the best tablet you can buy. The screen is astounding, the M1 processor is truly a beast, and everything else is top-tier too. The only question is of value – whether you’ll make use of the new features, or whether Apple’s (excellent) cheaper tablets would serve you just as well. Because if money’s no object, this is clearly the peak of the tech currently.

Pros

  • +

    Amazing HDR Mini-LED screen

  • +

    Ridiculously powerful M1 chip

  • +

    Extremely thin and well-made

  • +

    Useful optional 5G connectivity

Cons

  • -

    Screen is mostly still 600 nits

  • -

    Just one port still

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The 2021 iPad Pro 12.9 M1 looks almost identical to its predecessor, but there are several key changes that make it an especially interesting upgrade for photo and video work. A workstation-class processor, an ultra-bright HDR screen, a Thunderbolt 4 port for rapid file transfer, and the option of 5G connectivity – all in a slim and light body – combine to make it one of the most desirable ways to view and quickly process your photos - and one of the best tablets for photo editing overall. 

It’s not just for photographers, though – it’s generally the best tablet overall, though it has a pro-level price to match its name, and the features that make it so expensive are totally overkill for most people. However, once you see that screen in particular, which uses cutting-edge Mini-LED technology, you still not not be able to resist.

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Matt Bolton

Matthew is the editor of T3 magazine putting the best gadgets in ink every month, having worked across on many tech mags over the last decade.