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Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021)

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23 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [23]

88
Total expert reviews: 23
  • with a score: 20
  • without a score: 3
Highest score by Stuff.tv
100
Average score based on 23 reviews
88
Lowest score by PCMag
70

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) is highly praised for its exceptional display quality, powerful performance, and impressive audio capabilities, making it an ideal choice for professionals and enthusiasts who prioritize visual excellence and a luxurious media experience.

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) has received high praise from experts for its exceptional display quality, featuring Mini LED technology known as Liquid Retina XDR. The display offers higher brightness, better contrast control, and more vibrant visuals compared to previous iPad models.

It is particularly suitable for professionals and color-critical work, making it ideal for digital illustrations, professional photography, and cinematic filmmaking. While there are concerns about potential "blooming" effects, the display is still considered one of the best on the market.

The iPad Pro 5 (2021) is equipped with the powerful M1 chip, delivering desktop-class performance and setting new records for iPadOS. It outperforms its predecessor in benchmark and graphics tests, making it an excellent choice for professionals and enthusiasts who use intensive apps for content creation or editing.

The device is incredibly fast in everyday tasks, providing a seamless user experience.

In terms of battery life, the iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers an average of around 10 hours, which should be sufficient for most users. However, heavy usage can drain the battery more quickly. The device supports fast charging, but its maximum charging speed is not as impressive as some competitors.

The iPad Pro 5 (2021) has received high praise for its audio capabilities, with a quad-speaker system delivering clear, loud, and immersive sound. The speakers automatically adjust to the device's orientation, creating a proper stereo sound experience. The audio quality has been compared to that of the best TVs, making it ideal for activities like streaming music, playing games, and watching movies.

The device offers a range of storage options to suit different user needs, with options ranging from 128GB to 2TB. The iPad Pro 5 (2021) does not offer expandable storage, which may be a limitation for users who require extensive storage for large files or media content. However, for users who primarily use cloud storage or have moderate storage needs, the available options should be sufficient.

In terms of connectivity, the iPad Pro 5 (2021) supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more reliable connections. It also offers support for 5G networks, providing high-speed and broad coverage options for cellular connectivity. Bluetooth 5. 0 ensures a stable connection for wireless devices.

The device features a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port for fast connectivity and support for high-performance devices, as well as a Smart Connector for power and data transmission when using approved accessories.

Overall, the Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers exceptional display quality, powerful performance, solid battery life, impressive audio capabilities, a range of storage options, and comprehensive connectivity options. It is highly recommended for professionals and enthusiasts who prioritize visual excellence, powerful performance, and a luxurious media experience.

Display

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) features a Mini LED display technology known as Liquid Retina XDR, which offers higher brightness, better contrast control, and more vibrant visuals, making it suitable for professional work and showcasing HDR content, although there are concerns about potential "blooming" effects.

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) features a Mini LED display technology, known as Liquid Retina XDR, which has received high praise from experts. The display offers higher brightness and better contrast control compared to previous iPad models, resulting in more vibrant and vivid visuals with deeper blacks and brighter whites.

The 12. 9-inch screen is particularly impressive, with Apple noticeably improving the display for this model. It is accurate enough for professional and color-critical work, making it suitable for digital illustrations, professional photography, and cinematic filmmaking. The display is also capable of showcasing brighter and more vivid HDR content compared to previous Retina panels.

However, there are some concerns about potential "blooming" effects, especially in high peak brightness situations, which can cause unused areas of the screen to appear more gray than black. Despite this issue, the display of the iPad Pro 5 (2021) is still considered one of the best on the market.

Overall, the display quality of the Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) is highly regarded, making it an excellent choice for professionals and those who prioritize visual excellence.

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Performance

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) with its powerful M1 chip offers exceptional performance that surpasses its predecessors and sets new standards for iPadOS, making it highly recommended for professionals and enthusiasts.

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) is highly praised for its exceptional performance. Equipped with the powerful M1 chip, which is typically found in MacBooks, it offers desktop-class performance and sets new records for iPadOS. The iPad Pro 5 (2021) outperforms its predecessor, the iPad Pro 2020, by a significant margin in benchmark tests and graphics tests.

This makes it an ideal choice for professionals and enthusiasts who use intensive apps for content creation or editing.

Experts have noted that the iPad Pro 5 (2021) is incredibly fast in everyday tasks like opening apps, scrolling, and browsing the web. The combination of the powerful M1 chip and the smooth performance of iPadOS 16 creates a seamless user experience. Whether you're a power user, professional, or enthusiast, the iPad Pro 5 (2021) delivers pro-level performance that is highly impressive.

In summary, the Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers exceptional performance that surpasses its predecessors and sets new standards for iPadOS. It is highly recommended for professionals and enthusiasts who require powerful performance for intensive tasks like content creation and editing.

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Battery Life

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) has an average battery life of around 10 hours and takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to fully charge.

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers an average battery life of around 10 hours, according to expert reviews. This should be sufficient for a full day of use for most users. However, heavy usage, such as video conferencing or running intensive apps, can drain the battery more quickly. On the other hand, lighter tasks like web browsing and streaming videos have less impact on battery life.

In terms of charging, the iPad Pro 5 (2021) takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to fully charge from zero to full using the charger provided in the box. This is based on a review from TechRadar. It's important to note that the charging time may vary depending on the charger used and other factors.

The iPad Pro 5 (2021) does support fast charging, but its maximum charging speed is not as impressive as some Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. The iPad Pro 5 (2021) comes with an 18W charger in the box, while the Samsung tablet supports 45W fast charging. As a result, the iPad Pro 5 (2021) takes a little longer to charge compared to some Android tablets.

The review mentions that the tablet can recharge from zero to full in around two hours and 45 minutes using the charger provided in the box.

Overall, the Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers a solid battery performance that should meet the needs of most users. It can handle a full day of use, but heavy usage may require more frequent charging. The fast charging capability is not as impressive as some competitors, but it still provides a relatively quick charging time.

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Audio

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) has received high praise for its immersive audio capabilities, delivering clear and loud sound that rivals the best TVs and making it ideal for streaming music, playing games, and watching movies without the need for headphones or external speakers.

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) has received high praise from experts for its audio capabilities. With a quad-speaker system, including a tweeter and woofer at each corner, the iPad Pro 5 delivers an immersive audio experience. The speakers automatically adjust to the orientation of the device, ensuring that mid-range and high-frequency sounds come from the top-most speakers.

This setup creates a proper stereo sound experience, with virtualized surround sound when held in landscape orientation.

Experts have described the audio quality as clear, loud, and able to reproduce a wide range of sounds. They have compared the audio performance to that of the very best TVs, making it ideal for activities such as streaming music, playing games, and watching movies without the need for headphones or external speakers.

The speakers are also said to be enhanced when using standard Bluetooth or wired headphones, as well as with a pair of AirPods Max cans. Overall, the experts have been impressed with the audio capabilities of the iPad Pro 5 (2021), making it a top choice for those seeking a luxurious media experience.

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Storage

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers a range of storage options, from 128GB to 2TB, to cater to different user needs, but does not have expandable storage.

According to expert reviews, the Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers a range of storage options to suit different user needs. The device is available in storage capacities of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. The iPad Pro 5 (2021) comes with 8GB of RAM if you choose the 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage options, providing ample memory for multitasking and running demanding applications.

However, if you require even more storage space, the 1TB and 2TB models come with 16GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance even with large files and intensive tasks.

It is important to note that the Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) does not offer expandable storage options, such as a microSD card slot. This means that the storage capacity you choose at the time of purchase is the maximum storage capacity you will have on the device. This may be a limitation for users who frequently work with large files or require extensive storage for media content.

However, for users who primarily use cloud storage or have moderate storage needs, the available storage options should be sufficient.

Overall, the Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) provides a range of storage options to cater to different user requirements. Whether you need ample storage for professional work or simply want to store a large media library, there is a storage capacity available to suit your needs.

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Connectivity

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers a wide range of connectivity options including Wi-Fi 6, 5G, Bluetooth 5.0, Thunderbolt/USB 4, and a Smart Connector, making it a versatile device for various connectivity needs.

The Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers a range of connectivity options that cater to different needs. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections. Users have reported flawless network performance with impressive speed and reliability when connected to Wi-Fi.

For those who require cellular connectivity, the iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers support for 5G networks. It is compatible with both low-band and ultra-wideband 5G, allowing users to access high-speed networks as well as networks with broader coverage and more bandwidth. The tablet is compatible with multiple carriers in the US, ensuring connectivity options for different users.

Bluetooth connectivity is also supported, with Bluetooth 5.0 providing a reliable and stable connection for wireless devices. Users have reported no noticeable lag or connection issues when using Bluetooth-enabled accessories such as headphones, speakers, and keyboards.

In terms of ports, the iPad Pro 5 (2021) features a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port, allowing for fast connectivity and support for high-performance devices. This port can be used for connecting external drives, monitors, hubs, and storage devices. It can also be used for charging the iPad Pro. Additionally, the tablet has a Smart Connector on the back, which is used for power and data transmission when using approved accessories like Apple's Smart Keyboard Cover with Trackpad or Logitech's Combo Touch keyboard, trackpad, and case.

Overall, the Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, making it suitable for various use cases such as fast and reliable internet browsing, seamless cellular connectivity, wireless device connectivity, and high-performance device connectivity.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all tablets.

Rank Change Price Tablet
techadvisor
Laptop Mag
PCMag
Digital Trends
What Hi-Fi
T3
WIRED
Wirecutter
TechRadar
Tom's Guide
1
- $329
Apple iPad 10th Gen (2022)
The Apple iPad 10th Gen (2022) has received positive reviews for its display, performance, audio quality, and connectivity options, making it a versatile device for various use cases.
-
5
1
-
1
7
1
1
1
8
2
- Check price
Apple iPad Air (2022)
The Apple iPad Air (2022) receives positive reviews for its display, performance, and connectivity options, making it a versatile and powerful tablet for various use cases.
1
1
-
1
-
1
-
-
-
-
3
+1 $350
Apple iPad Mini 6 2021
The Apple iPad Mini 6 2021 has received positive reviews for its display, performance, battery life, audio quality, storage options, and connectivity, making it a versatile and powerful tablet.
5
9
7
5
5
5
-
-
9
10
4
+2 $447
Google Pixel Tablet
The Google Pixel Tablet offers a good display, fast performance, excellent battery life, impressive audio quality, and sufficient storage options, making it a great choice for casual users.
9
4
10
-
-
4
3
3
-
9
Show all rows
Apple iPad Pro 5 (2021) did not receive any endorsements this month.

Highest recommended tablets this month

ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. tablets below are at the top of our ranking this October.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the tablet for more details.
Apple iPad 10th Gen (2022) Apple iPad Air (2022) Apple iPad Mini 6 2021 Google Pixel Tablet
Reviews
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Apple iPad 10th Gen (2022) rank #1 out of 95. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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9.7
Amazing
Reviews
In comparison:
Apple iPad Air (2022) rank #2 out of 95. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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10.0
Amazing
Reviews
In comparison:
Apple iPad Mini 6 2021 rank #3 out of 95. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
10.0
Amazing
Reviews
In comparison:
Google Pixel Tablet rank #4 out of 95. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
8.7
Great
Price
The Apple iPad 10th Gen (2022) has received positive reviews for its display, performance, audio quality, and connectivity options, making it a versatile device for various use cases. The Apple iPad Air (2022) receives positive reviews for its display, performance, and connectivity options, making it a versatile and powerful tablet for various use cases. The Apple iPad Mini 6 2021 has received positive reviews for its display, performance, battery life, audio quality, storage options, and connectivity, making it a versatile and powerful tablet. The Google Pixel Tablet offers a good display, fast performance, excellent battery life, impressive audio quality, and sufficient storage options, making it a great choice for casual users.
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