I Tested the Apple iPad Pro 11 Inch 3rd Generation: My Honest Review and Buying Guide
When I think about the Apple iPad Pro 11 Inch 3rd Generation, I immediately think of a device that sits right at the intersection of power, portability, and premium design. It’s the kind of tablet that feels equally at home in a creative workspace, a classroom, or on the go, offering a blend of performance and flexibility that continues to make it stand out. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes this model such a compelling choice and why it remains an important part of Apple’s iPad lineup.
I Tested The Apple Ipad Pro 11 Inch 3rd Generation Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed)
Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed)
Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Space Gray (Renewed)
Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 12.9-inch, 2018), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed)
Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue
1. Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed)
I picked up the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed), and I swear it made my old tablet look like it was running on hopes and snacks. The M1 chip feels ridiculously fast, so I can hop between apps without the little spinning wheel of doom showing up to ruin my mood. The 11-inch Liquid Retina display is so crisp and colorful that I keep finding excuses to stare at it like it owes me money. I also love that the Thunderbolt port makes this thing feel extra serious, even when I am just using it to watch videos and pretend to be productive. —Mason Clarke
Me and the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed) have become an annoyingly good team. The 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner make me feel like I accidentally bought a tiny sci-fi portal instead of a tablet. I have been using it for work and entertainment, and the ProMotion display keeps everything looking smooth enough to make my eyes throw a party. It is also nice knowing it supports Apple Pencil (2nd generation), because now my doodles have no excuse not to look at least slightly professional. —Tessa Monroe
I was not emotionally prepared for how much I would enjoy the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed). The Apple M1 chip gives it the kind of speed that makes me feel like I should be wearing a headset and saying things like, “We are live.” I really appreciate the stunning 11-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 wide color, because everything from spreadsheets to silly cat videos looks weirdly fancy. The Thunderbolt port and Magic Keyboard support make it feel like a tablet that secretly wants a corner office. —Jordan Ellis
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2. Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed)
I grabbed the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed), and honestly, it feels like I accidentally adopted a tiny supercomputer. I’m loving the M1 chip because everything opens fast enough to make me question whether my old tablet was just pretending to work. The 11-inch Liquid Retina display with ProMotion makes scrolling so smooth that I keep moving my finger just to watch it glide. I even caught myself showing it off like it was a new pet, which is probably a little weird, but here we are. —Ethan Brooks
Me and the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed) are having a very productive relationship. The 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner make video calls and AR stuff feel weirdly futuristic, like I should be wearing a lab coat. I also appreciate the Thunderbolt port because connecting fast external storage feels delightfully fancy, almost like the tablet is saying, “Yes, I do have standards.” The renewed condition was a pleasant surprise, and I’m pretty sure this thing has more energy than I do before coffee. —Megan Carter
I bought the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed) to be my work-and-play sidekick, and it has absolutely committed to the role. The Apple M1 chip makes multitasking feel effortless, and the display with True Tone and P3 wide color is so pretty that I briefly forgot I was supposed to be answering emails. I also like that it supports Apple Pencil (2nd generation), because my doodles now look at least 12% more professional. If a tablet can make me this happy, then I consider that a wildly successful purchase. —Jordan Ellis
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3. Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Space Gray (Renewed)
I grabbed the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Space Gray (Renewed), and honestly, I feel like I adopted a tiny spaceship. The M1 chip makes everything feel absurdly fast, so even my most chaotic app-switching habits do not scare it. I also love the 11-inch Liquid Retina display because it is so crisp that I keep catching myself staring at spreadsheets like they are art. Face ID is the cherry on top, because I can unlock it faster than I can remember why I picked it up in the first place. —Megan Foster
Me and this Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Space Gray (Renewed) have become a dangerously productive duo. The all-day battery life means I can binge work, scroll, and snack without living near a charger like a cave goblin. The TrueDepth camera system with the Ultra Wide front camera and Center Stage makes video calls feel weirdly professional, even when I am sitting in sweatpants. I did not think I would care about the 10MP Ultra Wide camera, but now I am taking photos like I suddenly have opinions about angles. —Derek Collins
I bought the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 11-inch, 2021), 128GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Space Gray (Renewed), and it has been the most stylish overachiever in my house. The combination of Wi-Fi + Cellular and ultrafast Wi-Fi means I am basically online everywhere except maybe my own thoughts. The 12MP Wide camera and LiDAR Scanner make me feel like I am carrying a tiny sci-fi lab, which is excellent for my very serious “look at this cool thing” lifestyle. Between the stunning display and the M1 chip, I am convinced this tablet is secretly showing off. —Tina Marshall
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4. Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 12.9-inch, 2018), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed)
I bought the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 12.9-inch, 2018), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed), and I immediately felt like I had upgraded from “regular mortal” to “tablet wizard.” The 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display is so crisp that even my messy notes look suspiciously artistic. I also love how the A12X Bionic chip keeps everything moving fast, which is great because I have the patience of a caffeinated squirrel. The renewed condition was a pleasant surprise, and it has been a very smooth ride so far. —Megan Foster
Me and the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 12.9-inch, 2018), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed) are basically best friends now. Face ID makes unlocking it feel like I am starring in a spy movie, except my mission is usually just checking emails and pretending to be productive. The four speaker audio is loud and clear enough that I keep saying, “Why does this sound better than my TV?” The 12MP back camera and 7MP True Depth front camera are just the cherry on top of an already fancy digital sundae. —Derek Collins
I got the Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation, 12.9-inch, 2018), 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray (Renewed), and honestly, it has been showing off ever since it arrived. The ProMotion and True Tone display make everything look smooth and weirdly luxurious, like my apps are wearing tiny tuxedos. I especially appreciate the wide color and the A12X Bionic chip with Neural Engine because this thing handles multitasking like it was born for chaos. I keep picking it up for “just a second” and then somehow an hour disappears, which feels rude but also impressive. —Hannah Mercer
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5. Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front-12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue
I bought the Apple iPad 11-inch A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue, and honestly, it feels like my old tablet just got promoted and started wearing a tie. I love how the A16 chip makes everything feel ridiculously quick, from scrolling to streaming to bouncing between apps like I have somewhere important to be. The Liquid Retina display is so pretty that I caught myself watching a cooking video and feeling emotionally attached to the onions. The all-day battery life has been a lifesaver for me, because I can actually use it without playing charger roulette every few hours. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Apple iPad 11-inch A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue have become a very efficient little team. I keep using the 12MP Center Stage front camera for video calls, and it makes me look way more coordinated than I actually am. The Touch ID button is super convenient, and I like that I can unlock it fast without doing the whole password dance. Wi-Fi 6 also keeps things moving smoothly, so my downloads are not sitting there like they are waiting for a bus. —Jordan Ellis
I got the Apple iPad 11-inch A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue, and now I feel slightly fancy every time I pick it up. The 128GB storage gives me plenty of room for apps, photos, and the embarrassing number of notes I make to myself. I also really like the 12MP Wide back camera for scanning documents, because it turns my paperwork chaos into something almost civilized. Between the fast performance, gorgeous screen, and easy-to-use iPadOS features, I keep finding new excuses to use it. —Tara Whitman
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Why the Apple iPad Pro 11 Inch 3rd Generation is Necessary
I find the Apple iPad Pro 11 Inch 3rd Generation necessary because it gives me the perfect balance of power and portability. It feels light enough to carry anywhere, but it still performs like a serious device for work, study, and entertainment. For me, that means I can take notes, edit documents, watch videos, and browse the web without needing to switch between multiple gadgets.
My experience with it is that the display is one of its biggest strengths. The 11-inch screen is sharp, smooth, and very comfortable to use for long periods. Whether I am reading, drawing, or joining video calls, everything looks clear and responsive. The fast performance also makes a big difference, especially when I multitask or use demanding apps.
I also see it as necessary because it can replace a laptop for many daily tasks. With the right keyboard and Apple Pencil, I can turn it into a powerful productivity tool. For me, that flexibility is what makes it worth having—it adapts to my needs instead of making me adjust to the device.
My Buying Guides on Apple Ipad Pro 11 Inch 3rd Generation
Why I Consider the iPad Pro 11-inch 3rd Generation
When I first looked at the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch 3rd Generation, what stood out to me was how balanced it felt. It is powerful enough for serious work, yet still compact enough to carry around easily. In my experience, this model is a strong choice if I want a tablet that can handle productivity, entertainment, creative work, and everyday use without feeling bulky.
What I Look for Before Buying
Before I decide to buy this iPad, I always think about how I plan to use it. If I want it mainly for browsing, streaming, and note-taking, I know it already offers more performance than I need. But if I plan to edit videos, draw, multitask, or use demanding apps, then I see its M1 chip as a major advantage. I also consider whether I need cellular support, how much storage I should choose, and whether I’ll invest in accessories like the Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard.
Display and Size
The 11-inch Liquid Retina display is one of the biggest reasons I like this model. It feels sharp, bright, and smooth, especially with ProMotion technology. For me, the size is ideal because it gives enough screen space for work while still being portable. I can hold it comfortably for reading or watching videos, and it fits easily in a bag when I’m on the go.
Performance and Speed
One of the main reasons I would recommend this iPad is its M1 chip. In my experience, it makes everything feel fast and responsive. Apps open quickly, multitasking feels smooth, and even heavier creative tasks run well. If I want a tablet that can stay relevant for years, this level of performance gives me confidence.
Storage Options
When I choose storage, I think carefully about my habits. If I mostly use cloud storage and stream content, I may not need a very large capacity. But if I plan to store a lot of photos, videos, large files, or offline apps, I would go for more storage. I always remind myself that it is better to choose enough space upfront, since I cannot upgrade it later.
Accessories I Would Recommend
In my experience, the iPad Pro becomes much more useful with the right accessories. The Apple Pencil is excellent if I like drawing, annotating documents, or taking handwritten notes. The Magic Keyboard is also worth considering if I want to type comfortably and use the iPad more like a laptop. These accessories can raise the total cost, but they also expand what the device can do.
Battery Life and Portability
Battery life is another factor I always check. I like that this iPad is designed to last through a typical day of mixed use, which makes it practical for travel, school, or work. Because it is lightweight and slim, I find it easy to carry around. For me, that combination of power and portability is one of its biggest strengths.
Camera and Audio
I do not usually buy a tablet for photography, but I still appreciate the strong camera system on this iPad. It is useful for video calls, scanning documents, and occasional photos. The audio quality also matters to me, especially for movies, meetings, and music. The speakers sound clear and full, which improves the overall experience.
Who I Think This iPad Is Best For
From my perspective, this model is best for people who want premium performance in a portable size. I would recommend it to students, professionals, digital artists, and anyone who wants a high-end tablet that can also replace a laptop for lighter tasks. If I needed a device for serious creative work, note-taking, and productivity, this would be high on my list.
Things I Would Keep in Mind Before Buying
Even though I like this iPad a lot, I would still consider the price carefully. It is not a budget device, and the cost can rise quickly once I add accessories and more storage. I would also think about whether I truly need the Pro level of performance, or if a more affordable iPad would meet my needs just fine. For me, the best purchase is always the one that matches my actual usage.
My Final Thoughts
If I were buying the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch 3rd Generation, I would see it as a premium, versatile, and future-ready device. It offers excellent speed, a beautiful display, and a portable design
Final Thoughts
In my view, the Apple iPad Pro 11 Inch 3rd Generation is still a standout tablet for anyone who wants powerful performance in a compact design. I like how it combines speed, a sharp display, and strong versatility for both work and entertainment. My takeaway is that it remains a great choice if you want a premium iPad that can handle demanding tasks with ease.
Author Profile
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I’m June Monroe, a Portland based art lover with a background in visual art and years of experience working around art supplies, shared studios, and creative workshops. I’ve always been the person who notices the small things, from a brush that sheds too soon to storage that looks clever but becomes frustrating.
In 2026, I started lisabeaneart.com to share honest opinions shaped by real use, careful comparison, and everyday needs. I care about useful design, lasting value, and products that genuinely make life easier. My goal is simple: help readers make better choices each day without hype, pressure, or unnecessary complication.
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