Listing iPad releases from 2010 to 2025 in the order they were introduced:
The iPad Pro, Apple's flagship tablet, has undergone significant transformations since its inception in 2015. Over the past nine years, eight generations of iPad Pro models have been released, each bringing new advancements in screen size, chip power, display technology, and design.
Debut of the iPad Pro (2015)
Apple unveiled the first iPad Pro in 2015, a 12.9-inch model that introduced the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard for professional users. Powered by the A9X chip, the device boasted impressive specifications, including a resolution of 2732x2048 pixels.
Expansion and Enhancements (2016-2024)
In 2016, Apple released a smaller 9.7-inch iPad Pro model, maintaining the A9X chip and introducing features like True Tone display and improved cameras. The following years saw the introduction of various models, each with their unique improvements.
- 2017: iPad Pro models with 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch screens were powered by the A10X Fusion chip and featured ProMotion 120Hz displays for smoother visuals.
- 2018: The iPad Pro models, available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, were upgraded with the A12X Bionic chip, Face ID, USB-C port, and all-screen designs.
- 2020: The 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros were updated with the A12Z Bionic chip, adding an extra GPU core and enhancing graphics.
- 2021: The Pro models adopted the M1 chip, with the 12.9-inch model gaining a mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display, significantly improving brightness and contrast.
- 2022: The iPad Pro models, now available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, were powered by the M2 chip, introduced Apple Pencil hover support, and featured minor design refinements.
- 2024: A major redesign introduced 11-inch and a new 13-inch size, featuring the M4 chip, OLED displays, the thinnest and lightest iPad Pros ever made with edge-to-edge screens, aluminum chassis, and flat sides. New accessories like Apple Pencil Pro and metallic Magic Keyboard were launched alongside.
Consistent Improvements
This timeline reflects consistent enhancements in processing power (from A9X to M4), display innovations (True Tone to OLED and mini-LED), and user experience features such as Face ID, Apple Pencil integration, and keyboard support.
The third-generation iPad, released in 2012, was the first to embrace the Retina display and a quad-core A5X processor. The iPad 2, released in 2011, featured a dual-core Apple A5 chip, a rear camera, and was dramatically thinner and lighter than its predecessor.
In 2021, the iPad Pro was upgraded with a dual rear camera design, the M1 silicon, 5G connectivity, a new Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED tech, and Center Stage support for the front camera. The iPad Air (5th generation), launched in 2022, shifted from A-series mobile processors to the desktop-tier M1 chip.
Looking forward, the iPad Pro (11-inch and 13-inch), expected in 2025, may feature the M5 silicon and a dual front camera design. iPadOS 26, expected in the same year, is reported to give a macOS-inspired design makeover to the iPad's software, introducing the menu bar, a whole new app multitasking interface, and improved tiling controls, among other features.
From its humble beginnings in 2010 to the cutting-edge devices of today, the iPad Pro has consistently pushed the boundaries of what a tablet can do, offering users a powerful and versatile tool for work and play.
The iPad Pro, initially introduced in 2015, set a new standard with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, catering to professional users. Over the years, technology advancements led to the introduction of gadgets like the third-generation iPad in 2012, the iPad Air (5th generation) in 2022, and the expected iPad Pro in 2025, all showcasing consistent improvements in technology and design.
Undergoing numerous transformations since its birth, the iPad Pro has evolved from a device powered by the A9X chip in 2015 to the anticipated 2025 models operating on the M5 chip, a testament to the continuous evolution of gadgets and technology in Apple's product lineup.
