Yes, I still experience this issue on version 1.17.10 for iPadOS on a 12.9" iPadPro (2019)
I also have this issue on my 2020 12.9" iPad Pro.
If I disable fancy graphics, I can see up to 48 chunks away. I have also played on a server with a shader pack installed and was able to see 48 chunks away with fancy graphics enabled.
I play with someone who has a lower model 8th generation iPad and he can see father than I can.
After restarting the server a few times, it was able to start successfully, still investigating if its functional or not.
I also have a world from 18w16a that I updated to 18w20a and ran into this problem. I figured something was up when I AFK'd for ~8 hours next to with & iron farms with 0 drops.
I am still experiencing it on 1.17.11 for iPad OS. 12.9” iPad Pro. When fancy graphics are turned off, the render distance increases dramatically.