You will need to get one of the pricier, higher-capacity models of the newly announced iPad Pro if you'd like to future-proof your purchase with double the memory (RAM).
Doubling the iPad Pro’s RAM Will Cost You
The new iPad Pro offers two times faster flash storage whilst doubling the maximum storage capacity from 1TB to 2TB. And its M1 chip combines many components in a system-in-a-package design, like a high-bandwidth memory architecture with up to 16GB of memory.
But if you take a closer look at the technical specifications of the new iPad Pro on Apple's website, you'll notice that only the most expensive 1TB and 2TB models offer 16GB of RAM while all the other models come with half the memory, or 8GB of RAM.
- 8GB RAM on models with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage
- 16GB RAM on models with 1TB or 2TB storage
And here are the prices for Wi-Fi-only models of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the US:
- 12.9" iPad Pro 128GB (8GB RAM): $1,099
- 12.9" iPad Pro 256GB (8GB RAM): $1,199
- 12.9" iPad Pro 512GB (8GB RAM): $1,399
- 12.9" iPad Pro 1TB (16GB RAM): $1,799
- 12.9" iPad Pro 2TB (16GB RAM): $2,199
It's not the first time Apple has increased the iPad Pro's RAM with the storage capacity.
Apple Did This Before
Both the fourth-generation iPad Pro (released in 2020) and the third-generation model (released in 2018) have offered double the RAM only on the flagship 1TB version.
On the iPhone side, however, Apple offers more RAM on units with multiple rear cameras. This started with the release of the iPhone 7 family back in 2017. Since the iPhone 7 Plus, which was the first model with two rear cameras, all iPhones with multiple rear lenses have offered more RAM than their single-lens counterparts. The added RAM is needed for efficient, simultaneous processing of image data from two or more cameras.
On the iPad Pro, all models offer a dual-lens rear camera. Therefore, boosting the RAM with storage capacity seems to be a pure marketing strategy designed to get power users to pay more money. Want smoother and faster multitasking that will future-proof your new Apple shiny? Since you cannot upgrade the CPU in the iPad Pro, that means spending extra to get a 1TB or 2TB model with double the RAM---even if you don't need that much flash storage.
Apple Gives the New iPad Pro the M1 Chip
Announced on April 20, 2021, the fifth-generation iPad Pro offers the same design and screen size choices as the previous generation but now comes with Apple's performant M1 chip that is replacing Intel silicon in the Mac computers.
The new iPad Pro also features 5G connectivity. Although the tablets still come in two sizes like before---you have your 11-incher along with its 12.9-inch counterpart---only the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has new mini-LED display technology, branded as "Liquid Retina XDR."
The iPad Pro: Pricing and Availability
The new iPad Pro can be ordered from Apple's website and in the Apple Store app beginning Friday, April 30, ahead of its arrival in the second half of May. The device will initially launch in 31 countries and regions, including the US and the UK, before expanding to other markets and regions.
In the US, the 11-inch model starts at $799 while its bigger brother starts at $1,099 for the baseline 128GB configuration. To get 5G functionality, be prepared to pay an extra $200.
Both iPad Pro models will be available in silver and space grey finishes.