In the ever-evolving landscape of tablet computing, Apple’s iPad Pro line has consistently represented the pinnacle of the company’s tablet vision—a device powerful enough to replace traditional computers for many users while maintaining the simplicity and portability that defines the iPad experience. The 2025 iPad Pro models continue this tradition with significant hardware upgrades, design refinements, and software improvements. But the question remains: are these improvements substantial enough to justify an upgrade for existing iPad owners? This comprehensive review dives deep into what’s new, what’s improved, and—most importantly—whether the latest iPad Pro deserves your hard-earned money.
The Evolution of iPad Pro: Setting the Stage
To properly evaluate the latest iPad Pro, it helps to understand its position in the lineup’s evolution. Since its introduction in 2015, the iPad Pro has undergone several transformative changes:
- 2015: The original 12.9-inch iPad Pro introduced the Smart Connector and Apple Pencil support
- 2017: The second generation brought ProMotion display technology with 120Hz refresh rate
- 2018: Redesign with flat edges, Face ID, and USB-C connectivity
- 2020: LiDAR Scanner and improved cameras
- 2021: M1 chip brought Mac-level processing power
- 2022: M2 chip with modest performance improvements
- 2024: M3 chip with more significant performance leap
- 2025: The current generation featuring the M4 chip and OLED display technology
Each iteration has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in a tablet, gradually transforming the iPad Pro from a consumption-focused device to a legitimate productivity powerhouse. The 2025 models represent perhaps the most significant upgrade since the 2018 redesign, particularly in display technology. But innovations don’t automatically translate to necessity—especially when they come with Apple’s premium pricing structure.
Design and Hardware: Refinement, Not Revolution
The Physical Form: Slimmer, Lighter, Stronger
The 2025 iPad Pro maintains the established flat-edge design language but manages to shed some weight and thickness without compromising structural integrity. The 12.9-inch model now weighs just 1.29 pounds (down from 1.5 pounds), while the 11-inch version tips the scales at a mere 0.95 pounds. This might seem inconsequential on paper, but the reduced weight makes a noticeable difference during extended handheld use.
The chassis is now constructed from a more advanced aluminum alloy that Apple claims is 40% more rigid than previous generations while allowing for the thinner profile. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro measures just 5.3mm thick—making it the thinnest iPad ever produced and remarkably thin for a device with such powerful internals.
Port selection remains minimal with a single Thunderbolt 4/USB-C connection, though it now supports a wider range of peripherals and faster data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps. The Smart Connector has been redesigned to provide more power to connected accessories, addressing a limitation of previous generations.
While these refinements are welcome, they don’t fundamentally change how you interact with the device. If you’re satisfied with your current iPad Pro’s physical design, the slightly sleeker profile alone doesn’t justify an upgrade.
Display Technology: The Headline Upgrade
The most significant hardware advancement in the 2025 iPad Pro is undoubtedly the new Tandem OLED display, which Apple has branded “Ultra Retina XDR.” This display technology combines the perfect blacks and infinite contrast of OLED with an innovative dual-layer structure that allows for exceptional brightness without the burn-in concerns that have historically plagued OLED panels.
The specifications are impressive across both models:
- 12.9-inch Ultra Retina XDR: 2732 x 2048 resolution (264 ppi)
- 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR: 2388 x 1668 resolution (264 ppi)
- Both feature: 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness, 1,200 nits full-screen brightness
- 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate with 1Hz minimum (improved from 24Hz minimum)
- P3 wide color gamut with 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
- True Tone and anti-reflective coating with fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
The visual difference compared to the previous Mini-LED display is noticeable, particularly in high-contrast content like watching movies or editing photos. Blacks are perfectly black, colors are more vibrant yet accurate, and the improved minimum refresh rate results in better battery efficiency when viewing static content.
For creative professionals who work with visual media, this display upgrade alone might justify the cost. However, for everyday users who primarily use their iPad for web browsing, document editing, and occasional media consumption, the difference, while appreciable, may not warrant the premium price.
Performance: The M4 Advantage
The 2025 iPad Pro is powered by Apple’s new M4 chip, manufactured on an enhanced 3nm process. This represents a significant leap over the M2 found in the previous generation and even outperforms the M3 that briefly appeared in the 2024 mid-cycle refresh.
Benchmarks reveal impressive gains:
- Single-core performance: 15% faster than M3, 32% faster than M2
- Multi-core performance: 22% faster than M3, 40% faster than M2
- GPU performance: 30% faster than M3, 45% faster than M2
- Neural Engine: 2x faster than M3 for machine learning tasks
These numbers translate to tangible real-world improvements for demanding tasks. Video editors will appreciate the ability to work with multiple 4K streams without dropped frames. 3D modeling applications respond more fluidly, and even the most complex Procreate illustrations with hundreds of layers maintain smooth performance.
Battery efficiency has also improved, with the M4’s enhanced performance cores requiring less power at the same performance level as previous chips. This translates to roughly an hour of additional battery life in mixed-use scenarios compared to the M2 models.
However, it’s important to note that for many common iPad tasks—web browsing, document editing, media consumption, even most digital art—the previous M2 chip was already overkill. Unless you’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on an iPad with professional applications, the performance improvement alone may not justify an upgrade from recent models.
Camera System: Modest Improvements
The camera system on the 2025 iPad Pro receives incremental upgrades rather than transformative changes:
- Rear Camera: 12MP Wide (ƒ/1.8 aperture) and 10MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4 aperture)
- Front Camera: Now center-mounted in landscape orientation, 12MP with ƒ/2.4 aperture
- Improved True Tone flash and computational photography features
- 4K video recording at 24/25/30/60 fps with extended dynamic range
The most meaningful change is the repositioned front camera, which now sits along the landscape edge of the iPad rather than the portrait edge. This creates a more natural eye line during video calls when the iPad is in landscape orientation with a keyboard attached—addressing a long-standing ergonomic complaint.
While these camera improvements are welcome, they’re relatively minor and unlikely to sway purchasing decisions for most users. The iPad, even the Pro model, remains a secondary camera device for most people, with smartphones typically offering superior photography in a more convenient form factor.
Software Experience: iPadOS 18 and Beyond
Hardware is only half of the equation—software ultimately determines how useful and versatile the iPad Pro can be. The 2025 models ship with iPadOS 18, which brings several notable enhancements particularly relevant to power users:
Professional Application Support
Perhaps the most significant development is Apple’s continued push to bring professional applications to iPadOS. Final Cut Pro for iPad has been substantially enhanced to take advantage of the M4 chip, now supporting more complex timelines and effects that previously required a Mac.
Logic Pro for iPad has similarly evolved, with support for more tracks, plugins, and a new spatial audio mixing environment. Most importantly, these pro applications can now open and edit project files with full compatibility between Mac and iPad versions, addressing a major limitation of previous iPad Pro workflows.
Third-party developers have also embraced the iPad Pro’s capabilities. Adobe has fully optimized its Creative Cloud suite for the M4 chip, with Photoshop for iPad now offering feature parity with its desktop counterpart for most common tasks. Even 3D applications like Blender and Cinema 4D offer impressive iPad Pro versions that leverage the Metal API for hardware-accelerated rendering.
Multitasking and Window Management
iPadOS 18 introduces a more sophisticated approach to multitasking that begins to bridge the gap with desktop operating systems:
- Resizable floating windows that can be positioned freely, rather than just in split-view
- Support for up to four active applications simultaneously on screen
- Improved external display support with independent window management
- Enhanced Stage Manager with more intuitive workspace organization
These improvements address long-standing complaints about the iPad’s limited multitasking capabilities, making it significantly more viable as a primary computing device for complex workflows.
File Management and External Storage
The Files app has matured considerably, now offering:
- More robust search capabilities with content-based indexing
- Better integration with cloud storage services
- Improved network share access
- Support for additional file formats and preview types
External storage support has been enhanced with the ability to directly work with professional video formats from external SSDs, format drives in various file systems, and transfer files at the full Thunderbolt 4 speeds the hardware supports.
Will iPadOS 18 Come to Older Models?
Most features of iPadOS 18 will be available on iPad Pro models dating back to 2018, though some AI-enhanced features require the Neural Engine capabilities of M-series chips. This means that while software alone isn’t a compelling reason to upgrade from a 2020 or newer iPad Pro, there are certain forward-looking features that may eventually become exclusive to newer hardware.
The Ecosystem: Accessories and Integration
Apple Pencil Pro: Meaningful Innovation
The new Apple Pencil Pro introduced alongside the 2025 iPad Pro represents a substantial upgrade over its predecessor:
- Pressure sensitivity has increased from 4,096 levels to 8,192 levels
- New haptic feedback provides tactile response that simulates different drawing surfaces
- “Squeeze” gesture detection adds a new dimension of control
- Visual feedback when hovering above the display has been enhanced
- Improved palm rejection and reduced latency (now an imperceptible 8ms)
For artists and designers, these improvements create a significantly more natural drawing experience that more closely mimics traditional media. The haptic feedback in particular represents a genuine innovation that changes how it feels to use the Pencil.
Importantly, the Apple Pencil Pro is only fully compatible with the 2025 iPad Pro models. While it will work with basic functionality on older iPad Pros, the haptic feedback and highest sensitivity levels require the new hardware.
Magic Keyboard: Incremental Evolution
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro has received a minor refresh with:
- Slightly larger trackpad surface
- Function row of keys (finally)
- Improved key travel (1.1mm versus 1mm previously)
- New aluminum bottom plate that improves lap stability
- Additional viewing angle adjustments
These refinements address some common criticisms of previous Magic Keyboard designs, but they don’t fundamentally transform the typing experience. If you already own a Magic Keyboard for a previous generation, the upgrades may not justify the expense of a new one unless the function keys are particularly important to your workflow.
Continuity and Ecosystem Integration
Apple continues to enhance the integration between iPad and other devices in the ecosystem:
- Universal Control has been improved with lower latency and more reliable connections
- Handoff capabilities now extend to more complex professional applications
- AirDrop supports higher-speed transfers leveraging Wi-Fi 7 on the new models
- Sidecar functionality has been enhanced with support for HDR content when used as an external display for M2 and newer Macs
These ecosystem benefits provide additional value for users already invested in Apple’s product lineup but aren’t exclusive to the 2025 iPad Pro models, with most features working on iPad Pros dating back several generations.
Battery Life and Charging: Endurance Matters
Despite the thinner profile and more powerful processor, the 2025 iPad Pro maintains impressive battery life thanks to display and chip efficiency improvements:
- 12.9-inch model: Up to 11 hours of web browsing or video playback (up from 10 hours)
- 11-inch model: Up to 11.5 hours of web browsing or video playback (up from 10 hours)
Under heavy professional workloads like video editing or 3D rendering, expect 4-6 hours depending on the specific application and settings. This represents a modest but welcome improvement over previous generations.
Charging speeds have been enhanced with support for:
- 45W fast charging with compatible USB-C power adapters (sold separately)
- 15W MagSafe charging with the new MagSafe adapter for iPad (sold separately)
The addition of MagSafe magnetic charging addresses a convenience factor, though the necessity of purchasing additional charging accessories somewhat diminishes its appeal as an upgrade factor.
Price and Value Proposition: The Critical Question
The 2025 iPad Pro commands premium pricing consistent with its positioning as Apple’s flagship tablet:
12.9-inch iPad Pro (2025):
- 256GB: $1,299
- 512GB: $1,499
- 1TB: $1,899
- 2TB: $2,299
11-inch iPad Pro (2025):
- 256GB: $999
- 512GB: $1,199
- 1TB: $1,599
- 2TB: $1,999
These prices represent a $100 increase over the previous generation, which Apple attributes to the costs associated with the new OLED display technology. Cellular connectivity adds $200 to any configuration.
The accessories add substantially to the total investment:
- Apple Pencil Pro: $149
- Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro: $349
- Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro: $299
A fully equipped 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 1TB storage, cellular connectivity, Apple Pencil Pro, and Magic Keyboard would cost an eye-watering $2,697—approaching or exceeding the price of many high-end laptops, including Apple’s own MacBook Pro models.
Should You Upgrade? Breaking It Down by User Type
For Owners of 2018-2020 iPad Pro Models
If you’re using an iPad Pro from 2018-2020 (A12X/A12Z chip era), the upgrade to the 2025 model represents a substantial leap in capabilities:
- Significantly faster performance with the M4 chip (2-3x in many tasks)
- Vastly superior display technology
- Better battery life and camera system
- Full compatibility with the latest accessories
For these users, especially those who use their iPad for professional work or creative pursuits, the upgrade is easier to justify, particularly if the device is central to your workflow.
For Owners of 2021-2022 iPad Pro Models (M1/M2)
The calculus becomes more complicated for owners of M1 or M2 iPad Pros. While the 2025 models offer clear improvements, the previous generation remains extremely capable:
- Performance differences will only be noticeable in the most demanding applications
- Display improvement is noticeable but may not transform your experience
- Battery life and form factor improvements are relatively minor
Unless you specifically need the OLED display for professional visual work or are hitting performance limitations with your current model, waiting another generation is probably the more sensible financial decision.
For Owners of Non-Pro iPads Looking to Upgrade
If you’re currently using a standard iPad, iPad Air, or iPad mini and considering moving to the Pro ecosystem, the question becomes whether the Pro features align with your needs:
- If you’re primarily using the iPad for web browsing, email, social media, and media consumption, the iPad Air offers most of the essential experience at a significantly lower price point
- If you’re a creative professional, student taking extensive notes, or looking to replace a laptop, the Pro’s advanced display, Apple Pencil Pro compatibility, and processing power may justify the premium
The key is honest assessment of your use case rather than being drawn to the most expensive option by default.
The Competitive Landscape: Alternatives Worth Considering
While the iPad Pro has few direct competitors in the premium tablet space, several alternatives merit consideration:
iPad Air (M2): At $599, it offers impressive performance, Apple Pencil compatibility, and the same software experience at roughly half the price of the Pro. What you sacrifice is the ProMotion display, advanced camera system, and Face ID.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Samsung’s flagship tablet offers an excellent OLED display, included S Pen, and DeX mode for a more desktop-like experience. It’s a strong alternative for Android users, though its app ecosystem lacks the tablet-optimized professional applications available on iPadOS.
Microsoft Surface Pro 10: For those seeking a more traditional computing experience, the Surface Pro offers a full Windows environment in a similar form factor. It’s more versatile as a laptop replacement but less refined as a pure tablet.
Conclusion: Excellence at a Premium
The 2025 iPad Pro represents Apple’s most refined tablet experience to date, with the new OLED display technology, M4 chip, and continued software improvements creating a compelling package for the right user. It exemplifies Apple’s approach to product development: meticulous refinement with premium materials and pricing to match.
For creative professionals, the display improvements alone may justify the upgrade, particularly for those working with visual media where color accuracy and contrast are paramount. The performance enhancements will benefit those pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a tablet, particularly in video production, 3D modeling, and complex illustration.
For the average user—even those who consider themselves tech enthusiasts—the value equation is less clear. The previous generation iPad Pro remains an exceptionally capable device that will continue to receive software updates for years to come. The improvements, while meaningful, may not transform your daily experience enough to justify the significant financial investment.
Ultimately, the 2025 iPad Pro isn’t trying to be all things to all users. It’s a premium tool for professionals and enthusiasts who want the absolute best tablet experience available, regardless of cost. For that specific audience, it delivers magnificently. For everyone else, Apple offers more accessible options that provide much of the same experience without the cutting-edge display and raw performance headroom.
The question isn’t whether the new iPad Pro is excellent—it unquestionably is. The question is whether its particular brand of excellence aligns with your needs and budget. If it does, you’ll be rewarded with what is arguably the most refined computing device Apple has ever created.
