Hey there!
Today, I’ll share my hands-on experience with the iPad Pro 11, focusing on how it stands out in terms of its drawing experience, display quality, storage options, and, specifically, how it performs with Procreate.
So let’s have a look if you should get iPad Pro 11-inch for digital art and Procreate.
🤩 Join Art Club with Iva for access to popular PROCREATE classes, workshops, creative skills practice, my drawing process, references, Procreate brushes use inspiration, and more.
💡 Click on my post and video about the best iPad for Procreate if you are looking for a comparison of the different iPads for drawing on Procreate – iPad Pro 12.9″, iPad Pro 11″, iPad Air 10.9″, iPad Mini, iPad 10, and iPad 9.
💡 Get my post about iPad Pro 11 vs. 12.9 if you are deciding between those two models.
NEW iPad Pro 11″ M5 2025
Display: 11″ Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display; ProMotion (120Hz); Wide color P3 gamut; 2M:1 contrast ratio Resolution: 2420x1668px at 264PPI Brightness: SDR 1000 nits, XDR 1600 nits Chip: M5 with neural engine (AI) and improved battery life Storage: 256GB | 512GB | 1TB | 2TB RAM: 8GB @256GB | 512GB and 16GB @1TB | 2TB Weight: ±1lb (440g) Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro (recommended) Display: 11″ Nano-texture Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display; ProMotion (120Hz); Wide color P3 gamut; 2M:1 contrast ratio Resolution: 2420x1668px at 264PPI Brightness: SDR 1000 nits, XDR 1600 nits Chip: M5 with neural engine (AI) and improved battery life Storage: 1TB | 2TB RAM: 16GB @1TB | 2TB Weight: ±1lb (440g) Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro (recommended) Features: Hover, Double-tap, Squeeze, Barrel roll, Pixel-Perfect Precision, Tilt and Pressure Sensitivity, Low Latency for Note-Taking, Drawing, and Art. Attaches, Charges, and Pairs Magnetically Compatible with iPad Pro M5 & M4 2024 and iPad Air M3 & M2 2024 Display: 11″ Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display; ProMotion (120Hz); Wide color P3 gamut; 2M:1 contrast ratio Resolution: 2420x1668px at 264PPI Brightness: SDR 1000 nits, XDR 1600 nits Chip: M5 with neural engine (AI) and improved battery life Storage: 256GB | 512GB | 1TB | 2TB RAM: 8GB @256GB | 512GB and 16GB @1TB | 2TB Weight: ±1lb (440g) Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro (recommended) Display: 11″ Nano-texture Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display; ProMotion (120Hz); Wide color P3 gamut; 2M:1 contrast ratio Resolution: 2420x1668px at 264PPI Brightness: SDR 1000 nits, XDR 1600 nits Chip: M5 with neural engine (AI) and improved battery life Storage: 1TB | 2TB RAM: 16GB @1TB | 2TB Weight: ±1lb (440g) Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro (recommended) Features: Hover, Double-tap, Squeeze, Barrel roll, Pixel-Perfect Precision, Tilt and Pressure Sensitivity, Low Latency for Note-Taking, Drawing, and Art. Attaches, Charges, and Pairs Magnetically Compatible with iPad Pro M5 & M4 2024 and iPad Air M3 & M2 2024
The iPad Pro 11″ for Drawing (Discontinued)
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Best iPad Pro alternative for drawing and Procreate
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Video: My Experience with iPad Pro 11 for Drawing and Procreate
Drawing Experience on iPad Pro 11″
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When it comes to drawing on an iPad, the Pro models – iPad Pro 11″ and iPad Pro 12.9″ are just amazing.
They are Apple’s flagship models, so they come with amazing display, processor, and storage options. Thanks to this, drawing on iPad Pro 11″ feels so natural that you may forget you are drawing digitally!
iPad Pro 11″ comes with this amazing display:
You will be getting almost identical specs like with iPad Pro 12.9″:
- The widest P3 color profile for amazing color precision
- Ultra-High-definition resolution offering crystal clear imagery
- A 120Hz refresh rate, guaranteeing a smooth drawing experience
- The anti-reflective coating ensures there is no ‘mirror-like’ distortion
- A laminated display for natural drawing
It’s these awesome features that can take your artwork to the next level.
The ProMotion technology, which is Apple’s branding for the 120Hz refresh rate display, allows you to draw smoothly, without any lag between the Apple pencil and your drawing.
Laminated display ensures that you will be working with vibrant and crystal clear colors reproduction and there will be no gap between Apple pencil’s tip and your drawing
If you’re making 3D or video editing (or you are thinking about getting into them), the iPad Pro models, including the Pro 11, will have you covered. They are designed to handle such demanding tasks without breaking a sweat.
iPad Pro 11″ Screen Size Comparison
As the name suggests, the iPad Pro 11″ has an 11-inch screen size which is similar to iPad Air and iPad 10 (10.9″).
iPad Pro 11″ is basically a smaller, portable version of the iPad Pro 12.9″, but it still provides you with enough space for drawing and painting!
Number of Procreate Layers on iPad Pro 11″
When using Procreate, the iPad Pro 11″ up to 512GB storage provides a similar amount of layers as the iPad Air and iPad Pro 12.9″.
In my opinion, this is more than enough for all kinds of artworks, from simple to more complex.
If you know you will be working with tons of layers in Procreate, then the 16GB RAM models (1TB and 2TB) will give you even more Procreate layers to work with.
| Canvas size | iPad Pro 11″ Number of layers in Procreate |
|---|---|
| 3000 x 3000px | 112 |
| 16″ x 16″ @300 DPI | 41 |
| A4 @300DPI | 116 |
| A3 @300DPI | 56 |
| A2 @300DPI | 26 |
BTW, check out my post on what influences the amount of Procreate layers if you want to learn more about it.
Storage Options on iPad Pro 11″
As you see in the table below, compared to cheaper iPads, iPad Pro 11 comes with generous storage options.
| iPad Pro 11″ | RAM |
|---|---|
| Storage 128GB | 8GB RAM |
| Storage 256GB | 8GB RAM |
| Storage 512GB | 8GB RAM |
| Storage 1TB | 16GB RAM |
| Storage 2TB | 16GB RAM |
What is more, depending on the storage you choose, you will be getting either 8GB RAM or 16GB RAM.
Now, to be honest, unless you do 3D and video editing, I wouldn’t go for the 1TB and 2TB options, because they are quite expensive.
However, if you are a professional artist, I’d aim to get the 512GB model or 256GB model at minimum. This will ensure that you are not running out of space too quickly. Still, I recommend backing up your files to an external hard drive or to the cloud.
If you are an intermediate artist or beginner and you plan to draw on your iPad only a couple of days per week, then I’d say the 128GB storage option will give you a lot of flexibility.
iPad Pro 11″ Apple Pencil Compatibility
Second Generation Apple Pencil :: Best Drawing and Painting Experience :: Compatible with: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st generation), iPad Air (5th and 4th generation) and iPad mini (6th generation)
iPad Pro 11″ is compatible with Apple Pencil Generation 2.
Apple Pencil 2, coupled with iPad Pro 11’s amazing display and technology, provides you with a seamless and super enjoyable drawing experience.
Apple Pencil 2 magnetically attaches to your iPad Pro 11 and it automatically pairs and charges. This is awesome because after each drawing, you can just effortlessly attach it to your iPad and it is fully charged for your next drawing session.
What is more, from 2022 onwards, the iPad Pro 11″ 4th generation is equipped with the M2 Chip, introducing the hover-over function in Procreate. This allows you to easily adjust your brush size and opacity while drawing, enhancing your workflow and keeping your focus on the art.
iPad Pro 11″ Price
I think iPad Pro 11 is the best portable alternative to iPad Pro 12.9, among the best iPads for Procreate
At the time of writing, the price of the iPad Pro 11″ with 128GB is ±$750 – $800; with 256GB is ±$850 – $900; with 512GB is ±$1,000 – $1,100 and goes up to ±$1,500 for the 1TB model and ±$2,000 for the 2TB model.
This is not cheap, but when you consider the amazing technology you are getting, it’s well worth it!
Who Should Get iPad Pro 11″ for Drawing?
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So, who do I think should get the iPad 10th generation?
In my opinion, the iPad Pro 11 is amazing for artists looking to elevate their digital art creation process. It offers an enriched drawing experience, superior display quality, a large number of layers for Procreate, and ample storage options to accommodate all your artistic endeavors. Its advanced features might make it a pricier option compared to devices like the iPad Air, but for those who want a powerful device that can match their artistic ambitions, the iPad Pro 11 is worth every penny. After all, investing in your craft is an investment in yourself. So, keep creating, and let your art shine!
Happy drawing!
iPad Pro 11″ Drawing Accessories
When you get your own iPad Pro 11 for drawing and Procreate, also consider these helfpul accessories.
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Description: iPad Pro Case with Pencil Holder, Soft Flexible TPU Back Cover, Auto Sleep/Wake, and Multiple Viewing Stand Modes |
Description: Matte Screen Protector for Drawing, Writing, and Note-taking like on Paper |
Description: I recommend you get them if you use a matte Paperlike screen protector |
iPad Pro Case with Pencil Holder, Soft Flexible TPU Back Cover, Auto Sleep/Wake, and Multiple Viewing Stand Modes
Matte Screen Protector for Drawing, Writing, and Note-taking like on Paper
I recommend you get them if you use a matte Paperlike screen protector
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
