iPad Pro (M6) Review: The Ultimate Powerhouse for Creatives and Pros

The 2025 iPad Pro (M6) represents Apple’s most powerful tablet ever. With the new M6 chip—boasting up to 12 CPU cores, 10-core GPU, and dedicated Neural Engine—the latest Pro elevates multitasking, graphics, and on-the-go creativity to desktop-class levels. Starting at $999 for the 11″ and $1,299 for the 13″ model, it’s aimed squarely at artists, video editors, and power users. Here’s what you need to know.

Design & Display

• Sizes & Build:
  • 11″ and 13″ Liquid Retina XDR displays
  • Slim 5.9 mm bezels, 7.1 mm thin, 650–685 g lightweight aluminum chassis
• ProMotion XDR Display:
  • 1,000-nits full-screen brightness, 1,600 nits peak for HDR
  • 1 million to 1 contrast ratio for true blacks and dazzling highlights
  • 120 Hz ProMotion for silky-smooth scrolling and Apple Pencil responsiveness

Performance & Battery

• M6 Chipset:
  • Up to 40% faster CPU and 50% faster GPU than the M4 iPad Pro
  • 16 core Neural Engine for real-time machine-learning tasks
• Real-World Benchmarks:
  • Geekbench 6: ~7,200 (single-core), ~25,000 (multi-core)
  • GFXBench Metal offscreen: 210 fps (onscreen graphics test)
• Battery Life:
  • Up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback
  • 36 W fast-charge adapter included (80% charge in ~90 min)

Cameras & Audio

• Rear System:
  • 12 MP Wide + 12 MP Ultra Wide cameras
  • LiDAR Scanner for AR depth and faster focusing
• Front TrueDepth:
  • 12 MP Ultra Wide with Center Stage
  • FaceID authentication
• Audio:
  • Four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio
  • Five-microphone array for studio-quality recordings

Connectivity & Storage

• 5G & Wi-Fi 7 (13″ model optional 5G):
  • Up to 4 Gbps on mmWave networks
  • Wi-Fi 7 peak speeds up to 5 Gbps
• Ports & Expansion:
  • Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C port for 40 Gbps data, external GPU, Pro Display XDR
  • Supports Apple Pencil Pro (hover and magnetic charging) and Magic Keyboard
• Storage Tiers:
  • 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB

Software & Productivity

• iPadOS 18:
  • Stage Manager with external display support
  • Freeform app for collaborative whiteboarding
  • Enhanced multitasking gestures and floating windows
• Creative Tools:
  • Procreate, LumaFusion, Adobe Photoshop for M-series
  • Desktop-class virtualization (Windows via Shadow PC, Linux via UTM)

Pros & Cons

ProsConsUnmatched performance for a tabletPremium price starting at $999Stunning XDR display with ProMotionAccessories (Pencil, Keyboard) sold separatelyVersatile Thunderbolt portLarge 13″ model is heavy for handheld useIndustry-leading Apple Pencil integrationiPadOS still lags macOS for file managementExcellent battery life and fast chargingNo built-in USB-A or HDMI ports

Who It’s For

• Digital Creatives: Illustrators, video editors, and AR/VR developers needing raw power on the go.
• Business Pros: Consultants and executives who use Stage Manager and external displays for presentations.
• Students & Educators: Those wanting the most future-proof tablet for apps, note-taking, and hybrid classrooms.

Not Ideal For: Casual users or those on a tight budget—standard iPad or iPad Air offer better bang-for-buck.

Final Verdict

The iPad Pro (M6) raises the bar for what a tablet can achieve—coming remarkably close to a MacBook in performance while keeping the tablet form factor. If you need top-tier graphics, desktop-class apps, and unrivaled Apple Pencil responsiveness, the M6 Pro is the ultimate choice. Otherwise, consider the iPad Air for strong performance at a more accessible price.

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