You've probably seen the ads. A flashy banner screaming about an iPad Pro 12.9 sale with a price that looks too good to be true. Usually, it is.
Finding a legit deal on the 12.9-inch model in early 2026 is actually a bit of a riddle because, honestly, Apple doesn't even make a 12.9-inch Pro anymore. They switched to the 13-inch chassis with the M4 and the brand-new M5 models. So, when you see a "12.9-inch" sale, you’re looking at what the tech world calls "legacy" stock.
But here is the kicker: that legacy stock—specifically the M2 and even the M1 versions—is arguably the best value in tech right now. While everyone is chasing the paper-thin M5 with its tandem OLED, savvy buyers are picking up "old" 12.9-inch Pros for half the price.
The Reality of the iPad Pro 12.9 Sale Landscape
Right now, if you want a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, you aren't walking into an Apple Store and grabbing one off the shelf. You're hunting.
Retailers like Best Buy and Amazon are currently aggressive with their "Geek Squad Certified" or "Renewed" inventory. For example, you can frequently find the 5th Gen (M1) 12.9-inch model hovering around $549.99. Compare that to the $1,299 starting price of the new M5 13-inch. It’s a massive gap for devices that, for most people, feel almost identical in daily use.
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Wait, why would you buy a tablet from 2021 or 2022?
Basically, Apple over-engineered these things. The M1 and M2 chips were so far ahead of iPadOS that even in 2026, they aren't even breaking a sweat. If you're just sketching in Procreate, editing 4K video for TikTok, or managing a small business, the M2 is still "too fast."
Current Street Prices (January 2026)
- iPad Pro 12.9 (6th Gen, M2): You can find these refurbished for about $627 to $750. New-in-box "old stock" is rare but sometimes pops up at Costco for under $850.
- iPad Pro 12.9 (5th Gen, M1): This is the sweet spot. Prices are crashing to the $500–$560 range. You still get that gorgeous mini-LED XDR display.
- iPad Pro 12.9 (4th Gen, 2020): These are dipping below $450. It's the last Intel-era-adjacent chip (A12Z), but it still supports iPadOS 26. Kinda wild, right?
Why Everyone is Dumping Their 12.9 for the 13-inch
The "Great Upgrade" of late 2025 and early 2026 happened because of the M5 chip and that "Tandem OLED" screen. It’s brighter. It’s thinner.
Because of this, the secondary market is flooded. People are trading in their M2 12.9-inch models in droves. Their loss is your gain. Honestly, unless you are a professional colorist who needs the absolute peak brightness of the new OLED panels, the Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) on the older 12.9-inch is still better than almost any laptop screen on the market.
It has over 2,500 local dimming zones. The blacks are deep. The HDR is punchy. It’s a beast for movies.
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Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don't just click the first link you see for an iPad Pro 12.9 sale.
- Check the Generation: Some shady third-party sellers on marketplaces list the 3rd or 4th Gen (2018/2020) and just call it "iPad Pro 12.9." You want the 5th Gen or 6th Gen to get the M-series chips.
- Battery Health: If you buy used, ask for the battery cycle count. These big 12.9-inch screens suck a lot of juice. A battery at 80% capacity is going to feel sluggish and die in 4 hours.
- The "Education" Trick: Even though Apple phased out the 12.9, some authorized campus stores still have them. If you have a .edu email, you might find a "clearance" unit that’s brand new for a refurbished price.
Is it Still "Pro" Enough?
There is a weird misconception that because a device is three years old, it's obsolete.
The M2 12.9-inch iPad Pro supports Stage Manager with full external display support. It works with the Apple Pencil 2. It handles the Magic Keyboard like a dream.
In fact, some people actually prefer the 12.9-inch over the new 13-inch because it feels a bit more "substantial." The new M4/M5 models are so thin they almost feel fragile. The 12.9-inch chassis is a proven tank. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the creative world.
If you find a 6th Gen M2 model for under $700, grab it. Seriously. That's a laptop-replacement-grade machine for the price of a mid-range phone.
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What to do Next
If you're ready to pull the trigger on an iPad Pro 12.9 sale, don't just go to Amazon. Check Swappa or Back Market for verified listings with warranties.
Specifically, look for the 128GB Wi-Fi model of the 6th Gen (M2). It’s the best balance of longevity and price. If you’re an artist, make sure to budget an extra $80-$100 for a refurbished Apple Pencil 2, as the new Pencil Pro only works with the M4/M5 models. Verify the return policy is at least 30 days so you can run a battery diagnostic the second it arrives.
Getting a 12.9-inch Pro today isn't about having the newest toy—it's about getting 90% of the performance for 50% of the cost.