iPad Pro: Plans, prices, and deals

Apple iPad Pro Plans

The new iPad Pro is available on a plan through Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. The three all offer the iPad Pro on a 24-month and 36-month term. In either case, you're dividing the retail price of the iPad Pro across the length of the term. 

If you go for a 24-month term, your bill will be more expensive but you'll pay it off faster. On a 36-month term, you pay off your iPad Pro over a longer period of time in exchange for a lower monthly bill. 

Telcos only offer the 5G-ready iPad Pro on a plan. 

Apple iPad Pro Design

The new iPad Pro doesn't look that much different to the old iPad Pro. It still comes in 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, it still has a USB-C port for charging and accessories, and the headphone jack is still missing. 

The biggest aesthetic upgrade this year is a Mini LED screen on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which Apple calls a Liquid Retina XDR display. Mini LED allows for greater peak brightness, deeper blacks, and greater contrast, and makes the 12.9-inch iPad Pro HDR-ready. 

The 11-inch iPad Pro features a standard but still lovely LCD display as we’ve seen in previous models.

Apple iPad Pro Camera

On the back of the iPad Pro you'll find a 12MP primary camera and 10MP ultra-wide lens. This is joined by a LiDAR sensor that assists augmented reality apps. 

On the front, there's a 12MP selfie camera that supports facial recognition. The camera has a wider field of view than past iPad selfie cameras, which enables a feature called Centre Stage. When in a video call, the iPad Pro will automatically adjust the shot to ensure you're well framed. 

The frame can also dynamically expand to fit in more people, and will adjust as you move. 

Apple iPad Pro Battery Life

As is the standard for iPads, Apple says both the 11-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro should last about ten hours per charge. 

Apple iPad Pro Processor

Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro are powered by Apple's M1 processor - the same zippy chip you'll find in Apple's new range of Macs.  

Apple iPad Pro 5G

The new iPad Pro is the first iPad to support 5G. When buying a new iPad, you'll need to pick between a WiFi-only model, or an option with mobile connectivity. If you go for an iPad Pro with mobile connectivity, you'll be able to use it on 5G networks, in addition to 4G. 

WhistleOut's coverage checker tool has been upgraded with 5G coverage maps, making it easy to see whether you can get 5G. All you need to do is pop in your address when searching for a new phone plan. After you've done so and hit Search, you can jump straight to the coverage map by tapping See Coverage Map and then tapping Click To Activate Interactive Map. 

This map will show you what kind of coverage you have in your area. 5G coverage is highlighted using the darkest shade of purple, but unticking 4G and 3G can help make it clearer. The drop-down menu lets you choose between telcos.

At this stage, we don't have interactive maps for Vodafone due to the telco's limited 5G coverage.

Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings. 

Apple iPad Pro Accessories

If you want to get the most from your iPad Pro, you might also want to consider a couple of accessories. Apple's Magic Keyboard is a popular choice, augmenting the iPad Pro with a Mac-style keyboard and trackpad. This will set you back $449 for an 11-inch model and $549 for a 12.9-inch model. 

If you've got a penchant for drawing or you have decent penmanship, you might want to consider the Apple Pencil, the iPad's companion stylus. You're looking at $199 for one. 

Apple iPad Pro Colours

The iPad Pro is available in a choice of space grey or silver. 

iPad Pro Review

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How does the iPad Pro stack up against other models? Check out our review.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor - WhistleOut

80/100

"The iPad Pro is a stunning piece of hardware let down by software that can't quite keep up. It may have a laptop processor, but it's still not a laptop replacement. The iPad Pro is nonetheless an excellent tablet, even if the price-tag makes it a luxury for most."

Read Full iPad Pro (2021) Review

Choosing an Apple iPad Pro plan

With the WhistleOut search tool, you can compare iPad Pro pricing and inclusions across every provider. But there's a lot more to plans than just cost and data. Here's a break-down of the major benefits you can expect each provider to offer.

While Telstra phone plans tend to be pricier than the competition, Telstra iPad plans tend to be in-line with the competition, and in some cases, better value. They also come with a couple of perks: 

• Access to Telstra's super-fast 4GX network
• Data-free access to Apple Music 
• Access to the Telstra Plus perks and rewards program

Telstra lets you pay your iPad off over 12, 24, or 36 months, and all plans are free from excess data charges. If you go over your cap, your data will simply be slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in SD. 

Telstra also has one of the largest tablet plans around, offering allowances of up to 400GB.

Optus iPad plans come with solid data inclusions and entertainment extras. These include:

• Free access to Optus Sport
• Discounted movie tickets for Hoyts cinemas through the Optus Perks program

All Optus plans are contract-free, devices can be paid off across 12, 24, or 36 months, and you won't pay excess data charges if you go over your monthly allowance. Instead you'll be capped to speeds of 1.5Mbps. 

Vodafone iPad plans may not come with the kinds of freebies and perks you can get from Optus or Telstra, but you've still got the choice of paying off your device over 12, 24, or 36 months. 

You'll also get access to Vodafone's famous $5 roaming, so you can use your iPad's data allowance if you're travelling overseas. 

Vodafone plans all include unlimited data at capped 1.5Mbps speeds for after you go over your allowance.