We all know the iPad Pro is one of the fastest and most powerful tablets. But is right now the right time to buy it? Should you get the iPad Pro M1 or wait to see if Apple will announce the new iPad anytime soon? If you’ve been on the fence with this question, I recommend going through this article to make a better decision.
So a year has passed since Apple introduced the M1-powered chip iPad Pro, a truly game-changing device in its category, with the following specs:
Features of the M1 iPad Pro:
- A 12.9 inch 2732 x 2048 or 11-inch 2388 x 1668 display.
- M1 chip with next-gen Neural Engine.
- 5G connectivity.
- Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch model.
- 12MP Wide, 10MP Ultra Wide rear cameras with LiDAR scanner.
- TrueDepth Camera with Face ID and upgraded 12MP camera.
- Thunderbolt port.
On paper, this might look like just another spec sheet, but with Apple, you can always expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to performance, and that’s precisely the case with the iPad Pro M1.
It’s a total performance beast.
But despite being the fastest, most capable tablet, the question remains… should you buy the M1 iPad Pro in October 2022? Well, the answer is yes and no, depending on your needs.
And I’m going to help you decide which is it for you!
Why you Should Buy the M1 iPad Pro
If you’re really up for an upgrade and don’t care much about the latest and greatest, the M1 iPad Pro is for you, and there are several reasons for that.
Besides the M1 chip, the iPad features an improved front-facing camera and a Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display on the larger models. Moreover, the M1 iPad Pro offers up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of storage, which puts it more in line with Mac specs than ever before.
Apple also introduced the Thunderbolt port to the iPad for the first time, allowing much faster data transfer and support for thunderbolt peripherals. Oh, and yes! I forgot the long-lasting battery time. The M1 iPad Pro features all-day battery support on a single charge, so there’s no need to worry about charging the iPad throughout the day.
Aesthetic Design
Design-wise, the M1 iPad Pro remained unchanged, and that’s fine; why fix something that’s not broken? Like the 2018 and 2020 models, the iPad Pro features a TrueDepth camera system with Face ID that uses facial recognition instead of biometrics. However, the camera has been upgraded to a 12-megapixel front camera, facial recognition now works better, and you can also get better selfies. In essence, except for internal upgrades, the M1 iPad Pro is similar to last year’s model.
The 2021 M1 iPad Pros is a beast of a tablet, so if you need a faster iPad, go ahead and buy it. If you’ve been on the fence and need a new iPad right away and can’t wait, sure, it won’t be a bad purchase.
But…
Why You Should Wait
Announced in April 2021, the M1 iPad Pros are at the end of their product cycle, and rumor has it that the new iPad Pro will be announced on October 22 or soon after. If Apple does hold an event to announce the new iPad Pro, it could sport the M2 chip and better specs than the 2021 model, which would be a significant upgrade!
And, of course, if you were to spend $799 or more to buy the M1 iPad Pro right now and find out there’s a more capable iPad out there for the same amount, you’re going to have a tinge of regret hanging over you for the course of your usage.
My Verdict: WAIT!
Rumors aside, I don’t know if Apple will introduce the M2 chips in the 2022 iPad Pros until they officially announce it. But the M2 rumors have been around for quite a long time. If you’re an iPad Pro user, you must know Apple usually provides updates for iPad pros in a span of 12 to 18 months, so in a couple of days or a week, they’re probably announcing something for the Pro iPad soon.
Hence, I suggest that you hold off buying a new iPad Pro for at least a week or two, and you might snag a way better deal!
