Apple iPad (10th generation) vs Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation, M1)
Apple iPad (10th generation) ($272) vs Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation, M1) ($412) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right budget tablet.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple iPad (10th generation) | Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation, M1) |
| Price | $272 | $412 |
| Weight | 477g | 466g |
| Chip | A14 Bionic | Apple M1 |
| Display | 10.9" Liquid Retina, edge-to-edge | 11" Liquid Retina, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Port | USB-C | Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
| TouchID | Moved to top button | — |
| Pencil | 1st generation Apple Pencil, via adapter | 2nd generation Apple Pencil |
| Weight | 477g (Apple published, Wi-Fi) | 466g (Apple published, Wi-Fi) |
| Camera | — | 12MP Wide + 10MP Ultra Wide, LiDAR |
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad (10th generation)
- USB-C, first base iPad to drop Lightning
- Edge-to-edge display matches the iPad Air's modern look
- A14 chip is a real step up from the 9th gen's A13
- Landscape stereo speakers, better for video and games
- Still only supports the 1st-gen Apple Pencil, and needs a USB-C adapter to charge it
- No ProMotion or laminated display like the Air/Pro
- 477g, barely lighter than the 9th gen despite the redesign
- Costs meaningfully more than the 9th gen used for a smaller feature gap than the redesign suggests
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation, M1)
- M1 chip, genuinely desktop-class performance that still feels fast
- Thunderbolt/USB 4 port supports external displays and fast storage
- 120Hz ProMotion display
- LiDAR scanner for AR and improved autofocus
- No mini-LED XDR display, that arrived on the 12.9-inch model only
- 466g plus a Magic Keyboard adds real bag weight
- M1 is now several generations behind current iPad Pro silicon
- Costs meaningfully more used than the iPad Air it visually resembles
Apple iPad (10th generation) is the better value at $272. If weight matters most, Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation, M1) carries lighter at 466g. Both are part of our curated budget tablet index — tap through to check current pricing.