Walking into an Apple Store today feels a bit like browsing a luxury car lot. You see the shiny displays, the sleek finishes, and then you see the stickers. Honestly, if you're wondering how much does an iPad Pro cost, the answer isn't a single number anymore. It's a choose-your-own-adventure of storage tiers, screen sizes, and glass types that can swing the price by over $1,000.
Current 2026 pricing for the flagship M5 iPad Pro starts at $999.
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That gets you the 11-inch model with 256GB of storage. If you want the big 13-inch screen, you're starting at $1,299. But that’s just the base. By the time you add cellular connectivity or max out the storage to 2TB, you could easily be staring at a bill for $2,299 before you've even touched an Apple Pencil.
The Breakdown: M5 iPad Pro Prices
Apple hasn't moved the needle much on starting prices lately, but they’ve definitely widened the ceiling. The introduction of the M5 chip and the Ultra Retina XDR display kept the "entry-level" Pro at that thousand-dollar mark, which is still a tough pill to swallow for many.
Let's look at the 11-inch M5 model first.
A standard Wi-Fi unit with 256GB sits at $999. Double that storage to 512GB, and you’re at $1,199. The real jump happens when you hit the 1TB and 2TB marks. Those aren't just storage bumps; they come with more RAM (16GB instead of 12GB) and the option for that fancy nano-texture glass.
- 11-inch (256GB): $999
- 11-inch (512GB): $1,199
- 11-inch (1TB): $1,599
- 11-inch (2TB): $1,999
Now, the 13-inch model. It's the same math, just $300 more expensive across the board.
The 256GB version is $1,299. If you want the absolute top-of-the-line 13-inch iPad Pro with 2TB of storage and cellular data, you are looking at $2,299. It’s basically MacBook Pro territory at that point.
The Hidden Tax of "Nano-Texture"
If you do a lot of work outdoors or under heavy office lights, you might be tempted by the nano-texture glass. Heads up: you can’t even buy it on the lower storage models. You have to buy at least 1TB of storage first. Once you've paid for that storage, Apple charges an additional $100 for the special glass.
It’s a niche feature. Most people are perfectly happy with the standard glass, which is already pretty great at handling reflections.
Accessories That Aren't Really Optional
Here is the thing nobody tells you until you're at the checkout. An iPad Pro without an Apple Pencil or a keyboard is basically just a very fast Netflix machine.
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To actually use it like a "Pro" device, you'll need to shell out more.
The Apple Pencil Pro currently retails for $129. If you do any digital art or even just heavy note-taking, it’s Sorta necessary.
Then there’s the Magic Keyboard.
For the 11-inch Pro, the Magic Keyboard is $299.
For the 13-inch Pro, it’s $349.
If you add a Pencil and a Keyboard to the base 13-inch model, your $1,299 purchase just became a $1,777 purchase. That’s a massive jump. You've gotta decide if that "lapability" is worth the price of a whole second iPad.
How to Pay Less (Legally)
You don't always have to pay the "Apple Tax" in full. There are a few ways to shave the price down if you're patient.
Trade-Ins and Education Pricing
If you have an older iPad, Apple’s trade-in program is surprisingly decent right now. A used M4 iPad Pro can get you up to $695 in credit depending on the condition. Even an older M2 model might fetch you $300 to $400.
College students (and teachers) should never pay full price. The education discount usually knocks $100 off the iPad and $20-$50 off the accessories. Plus, during the "Back to School" season, they usually throw in a gift card.
The Refurbished Route
Honestly, this is the smartest move. Apple’s Certified Refurbished store is the gold standard. They replace the outer shell and the battery, so it's basically a new device with a full warranty.
You can often find "last year's" M4 models here for 15% to 20% off.
At the time of writing, a refurbished M4 11-inch can be found for around $780 on sites like Back Market, while Apple's own refurb store fluctuates based on stock.
Is It Actually Worth It?
This is the big question. If you’re a video editor, a professional illustrator, or someone who needs 1,600 nits of peak brightness for HDR workflows, then yeah, the M5 Pro is a beast.
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But for most people?
The iPad Air (starting at $599) is about 90% as good for 60% of the price. It supports the same Pencil Pro and has a great screen. You lose out on the 120Hz ProMotion (which makes scrolling look buttery smooth) and the OLED deep blacks, but you save $400.
Final Practical Steps
If you are ready to buy, do this first:
- Check your trade-in value. Go to Apple’s site or a third-party like BankMyCell to see what your current tablet is worth.
- Verify your storage needs. Don't buy the 1TB model just for the RAM unless you're doing heavy 8K video editing. 256GB is plenty for 95% of users.
- Look for "Open-Box" deals. Places like Best Buy often have "Open-Box Excellent" units for $100-$150 less than retail just because someone opened the box and changed their mind.
Buying an iPad Pro is a major investment. It’s a phenomenal piece of hardware, but the true cost is always higher than the number on the box. Plan for the accessories and the inevitable AppleCare+ ($9.99/month), and you'll avoid any nasty surprises at the register.