You’re looking at it. That sleek slab of aluminum. The 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation sits in a weird spot in Apple’s timeline. Released in 2021, it was the moment the iPad finally got "the chip." You know, the M1. The same processor Apple was putting into MacBooks at the time. It felt like overkill then. Honestly? It still feels like a powerhouse now.
But there is a massive amount of confusion about what "3rd generation" actually means. See, if you go by the 11-inch size specifically, the 2021 model is the 3rd gen. If you go by the Pro line in general, it's something else. Apple's naming conventions are a headache. Let's just stick to the facts: this is the M1 model. It’s the one that changed the game for mobile tablets because it stopped being a "mobile" chip and started being a computer chip.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours drawing, typing, and—let’s be real—watching Netflix on this thing. It’s not perfect. It has quirks. But if you’re scouring eBay or refurbished sites, this is usually the sweet spot for your wallet.
The M1 Muscle: Why it actually matters
Most people think "more power" just means apps open faster. While that’s true, the 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation introduced something more vital: 8GB or 16GB of RAM. Older iPads used to choke when you had too many Safari tabs open. They’d refresh constantly. With the M1, that basically stopped.
The M1 chip features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU. It sounds like marketing fluff until you try to export a 4K video in LumaFusion or DaVinci Resolve. It just goes. You aren't waiting for the device to catch up to your brain.
Why RAM is the secret sauce
If you buy the 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage models, you get 8GB of RAM. If you shell out for the 1TB or 2TB versions, Apple bumps you up to 16GB. Is the 16GB worth it? Probably not for most. Unless you’re a heavy layer-based digital artist in Procreate, 8GB is plenty. Procreate actually limits the number of layers you can use based on available RAM, so that's the one place where the upgrade actually changes the experience.
The Screen: Liquid Retina vs. The Big Brother
Here is the part where people get grumpy. The 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation does NOT have the Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED) display. That was exclusive to the 12.9-inch model that year.
Does it suck? No.
Is it noticeable? Kinda.
The 11-inch uses a standard Liquid Retina display. It’s an IPS panel. It’s bright (600 nits) and it’s color-accurate. It has ProMotion, which is Apple’s fancy word for a 120Hz refresh rate. Everything is buttery smooth. Scrolling through Twitter—or "X" now, I guess—looks fluid. But you won’t get those "inky blacks" that OLED or Mini-LED provides. If you watch movies in a pitch-black room, the black bars at the top and bottom will look slightly gray. It’s just physics.
Portability is the trade-off
The reason to choose the 11-inch over the 12.9-inch isn't just the price. It's the weight. The 11-inch is a true tablet. You can hold it with one hand while reading an ebook. You can toss it in a small bag. The 12.9-inch feels like a laptop screen that lost its keyboard. The 11-inch feels like a digital notebook.
Center Stage and the Camera Weirdness
Apple added a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera to the 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation with a feature called Center Stage. It’s cool but also slightly creepy at first.
Basically, the camera uses machine learning to "follow" you around the room during a FaceTime call. If you’re cooking or moving back and forth in your office, the frame crops and zooms to keep you in the middle. If someone else walks into the frame, it widens out.
- It works with Zoom.
- It works with Google Meet.
- It makes you look like you have a personal camera operator.
The back cameras are fine. You get a 12MP wide and a 10MP ultra-wide. There’s also a LiDAR scanner. Honestly, who uses an iPad to take photos in public? Please don't be that person at the concert. The LiDAR is actually useful for augmented reality (AR) and 3D scanning rooms if you’re an architect or just a nerd about interior design. It also helps with autofocus in low light, which is a nice touch.
Thunderbolt and Connectivity
This was the first 11-inch iPad to support Thunderbolt 3 (via the USB-C port). This is a big deal for professionals.
It means you can plug in a Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution. It means data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps. If you’re moving huge video files from an external SSD, it’s a lifesaver. It basically turned the iPad from a toy into a workstation.
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We should talk about 5G, too. The cellular models of the 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation were the first to get 5G support. If you’re a digital nomad or someone who works out of coffee shops with terrible Wi-Fi, the 5G speeds are a genuine luxury. It’s expensive, though. Both the hardware and the monthly data plan. Most people should just stick to Wi-Fi and tether to their phone in a pinch.
Battery Life: The Cold Hard Truth
Apple always claims "10 hours of web surfing or video."
Real-world? It depends.
If you’re at 100% brightness using the Apple Pencil to draw in Procreate, you will not get 10 hours. You’ll get maybe six. If you’re using it as a typewriter with the Magic Keyboard, you’ll get closer to that 9-10 hour mark. The M1 is efficient, but that high-refresh-rate screen eats power for breakfast.
The good news is that it charges via USB-C, so you can use your MacBook charger to juice it up quickly. It supports fast charging, which is a necessity given how we use these things today.
Accessories: The Hidden Costs
When you buy an 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation, you aren't just buying the tablet. You're entering a lifestyle that requires more aluminum and plastic.
- Apple Pencil (2nd Gen): It sticks to the side magnetically. It charges wirelessly. It’s essential if you’re a student or an artist. If you’re just browsing the web? Skip it. It’s $129 you don’t need to spend.
- Magic Keyboard: This is the best keyboard Apple makes, and it’s also the most frustrating. It makes the iPad float. It has a trackpad. It also costs nearly $300. It's heavy. It adds significant bulk. But it turns the iPad into a legitimate laptop replacement for writers.
- Smart Folio: Just a basic cover. It’s overpriced for what it is, but it keeps the screen from getting scratched.
The Software Gap: iPadOS
We have to address the elephant in the room. The hardware in the 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation is so much better than the software.
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iPadOS has come a long way. We have Stage Manager now, which allows for overlapping windows. It’s Apple’s attempt to make the iPad act more like a Mac. It works okay on the 11-inch, but the screen is a bit cramped for it.
The M1 chip supports "Virtual Memory Swap," which means the iPad can use its storage as extra RAM. This is huge for heavy multitasking. But at the end of the day, it’s still iPadOS. You can’t run macOS. You can’t easily manage files the way you can on a PC. You have to work the way Apple wants you to work.
Comparisons: Why not the Air?
This is the question everyone asks. Why buy the 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation when the iPad Air (5th gen) also has an M1 chip?
It comes down to three things:
- The Screen: The Air doesn't have ProMotion. Once you see 120Hz, going back to 60Hz on the Air feels "laggy" and "choppy."
- The Speakers: The Pro has four speakers. The Air has two. If you watch movies without headphones, the Pro sounds significantly fuller and louder.
- The Storage: The Air starts at a measly 64GB. The Pro starts at 128GB. By the time you upgrade the Air's storage, you're almost at the price of a Pro.
Common Misconceptions and Issues
I've heard people say the 3rd gen 11-inch Pro bends easily. Look, it’s a thin sheet of aluminum. If you sit on it in your backpack, yeah, it might curve a little. Treat it like a $800 piece of glass and metal, and you’ll be fine. Get a sturdy case.
Another myth is that the battery degrades faster on the M1 models. There isn't much data to support this. Most "battery drain" issues are usually caused by specific apps (looking at you, Chrome and YouTube) rather than the hardware itself.
How to buy one in 2026
Since this isn't the newest model anymore, your best bet is the refurbished market.
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- Apple Certified Refurbished: This is the gold standard. You get a new outer shell, a new battery, and a one-year warranty. It’s basically a new device.
- Amazon Renewed/Back Market: You can save a lot of money here, but it's a bit of a gamble. Check the seller's rating.
- eBay: Only if you know what you’re doing. Ask for battery health percentages before you bid.
Actionable Steps for Potential Owners
If you just bought or are about to buy an 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation, do these three things immediately to get your money's worth:
Optimize your Stage Manager settings
Go into Settings > Multitasking & Gestures. Turn on Stage Manager. It’ll feel weird for the first hour. Stick with it. Being able to have a small Notes window floating over your browser is a productivity game-changer that only M-series iPads do well.
Check your storage workflow
Since the base model is 128GB, you’ll fill it up fast if you’re a photographer. Invest in a fast external SSD (like a Samsung T7). Because this iPad has Thunderbolt, the transfer speeds will be nearly instantaneous. Don't pay Apple's "storage tax" if you don't have to.
Get a matte screen protector if you’re a writer
The glass is slippery. If you’re using the Apple Pencil for notes, get a "Paperlike" or similar matte protector. It gives the screen some friction. It makes the 11 inch iPad Pro 3rd generation feel like a real legal pad. It also kills the glare if you’re working outside.
The M1 11-inch Pro is a rare beast. It’s a legacy device that doesn't feel like a legacy device. It has plenty of headroom left for iPadOS updates for years to come. It’s the smart choice for people who want the Pro experience without the $1,000+ price tag of the latest M4 versions.