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Apple iPad Pro review

8.4/10 AVG.
RATING
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Apple iPad Pro
Apple iPad Pro
Apple iPad Pro
...


8.4/10
Informr score
The Apple iPad Pro currently has an Informr score of 8.4 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 40 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Large display great for media consumption and split screen multi-tasking
  • Fast performance during all tasks
  • Zero latency with Apple Pencil
  • Good battery life

What's bad

  • Keyboard and stylus sold separately
  • No true multi-tasking abilities
  • Keyboard does not have trackpad

Apple seems to have gone the bigger is better route with their phones and now they've supersized their tablets with the iPad Pro. At 12 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches, it is the first iPad to reach the double digits in size. While large, it is also surprisingly light at 713 grams. This makes it slightly heavier than the original iPad, though experts found the weight was more evenly distributed thanks to the larger size. With that said, they add it is difficult to hold one-handed due to its massive size. Besides the size, however, the Pro has the same design language as other iPads: rounded edges, TouchID home button and metal chassis. The biggest difference is the inclusion of four speakers – two on the top and two on the bottom edge and a connector to attach to either an Apple or third-party keyboard.

The reason behind the Pro's large size is due to the 12.9-inch IPS LCD display. With a resolution of 2048 x 2732 it qualifies as a Retina display and actually offers the same pixel density as the iPad Air 2. As critics expected, the display is incredibly sharp and vibrant. Unlike AMOLED displays, they point out the LCD provides accurate colors without being oversaturated. It also has an anti-reflective coating which, when combined with the screen's overall brightness, provided reviewers with excellent bright light legibility. More importantly, the large size offers much more screen real estate for what they consider an incredibly immersive media experience and improved split screen multitasking.

Under the screen is a 2.2GHz A9X processor and 4GB of RAM. Trusted Reviews calls the performance "blistering" though their tests clock it at only 40 percent faster than the iPad Air 2. As expected, reporters had lag free experience regardless of whether they were multitasking, editing 4K videos or playing the latest 3D games. And thanks to its 10,307mAh battery, they were able to get around six hours of continuous video looping or around a full day of average use.

The biggest drawback of the Pro is the fact it runs on iOS not OSX. This means that even with Apple's split-screen mode experts still had very limited multi-tasking abilities. They could not easily save documents to a dedicated program nor could they easily edit photos as iOS did not allow certain keyboard shortcuts. With that said, most were able to complete basic tasks though they often defaulted to using a desktop for certain things as it was easier.

While Apple isn't calling the Pro a true 2-in-1 device, it's obvious to many it is competing with the Microsoft's Surface line especially with the introduction of two new peripherals – the Smart Keyboard and the Apple Pencil. Aside from typing, the keyboard also acts as a protective cover. For the most part, reviewers had no problem typing with it, though Tech Radar did notice their typing was not quite as fast as on standard ones. Still, they add, "It's not a bad start…and the portability…was really useful." The biggest drawback of the keyboard is its lack of a trackpad. This means users cannot navigate the tablet without tapping on the screen.

For artists or people who prefer writing to typing, there's the Apple Pencil. While its pressure sensitivity levels are far simpler than more professional ones, it still managed to impress critics with its overall responsiveness and zero latency. When using the tip at a normal angle, they were able to create lines of varying thickness and when angled slightly they were able to shade and color in areas. Despite its neat features, many still do not consider the stylus to be a necessary feature especially for artists or graphic designers. As well, they all complain about the lack of an actual holder or clip for it having misplaced the Apple Pencil several times.

For most reviewers the size of the Pro is not conducive to picture-taking even if it does come with an 8MP main camera. Its large size and weight made it much more likely for them to drop it and the large viewfinder made it harder for them to get the right angles. When they did take pictures, however, they found the images to be very accurate and detailed and on par with pictures taken with an iPhone 5.

Despite its stellar performance and immersive screen, reviewers do not suggest the iPad Pro for everyone, especially those who require very high end performances. Giz Mag states, "…this is a product that's more about meeting Apple's long-term ends than it is meeting your ends today." 9to5Mac adds, "…the iPad Pro is great at a few things, but everything "Pro-level" is much better on a MacBook." On the other hand Alphr says, "...for most people the iPad Pro is more than enough creation tool. For some – anyone who sketches or loves using a stylus – it's actually a better creation tool than the average PC of laptop."


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
2.26 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.26 GHz
12.9"
Screen Size
Screen Size
12.9"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
38 WHr
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

For people who see computing as a mobile-first concept, the iPad Pro fills all the gaps. Between the iPad Pro and a smartphone, we found almost no reason to use a laptop except once or twice, in very specific situations like copying data from a pen drive. If you're accustomed to using your iPad more...

- Gopal Sathe, Gadgets 360
Laptop Mag
Laptop Mag

Because there's "Pro" in the name, it's clear that the iPad Pro is not for everyone. It's a tablet for power users, whether you want a large canvas for drawing or sketching; editing photos and videos on the go without a heavier PC; or more real estate for playing games and watching videos. However,...

- Mark Spoonauer, Laptop Mag
Mobile Choice
Mobile Choice

As beautiful, sturdy and remarkable the iPad Pro is, I am still struggling to think who the tablet has been made for. Not for the regular business user, the Smart KeyBoard angle is too jaunty for comfortable working while travelling. And it is simply not made for laptop use.

- Sunetra Chakravarti, Mobile Choice
Digit
Digit

The iPad Pro is a powerful tablet with top of the line performance. However, it isn't the ideal device for the average consumer. If you have specific need that justfies the purchase of the iPad Pro, then by all means go ahead and buy it.

- Sameer Mitha, Digit
APC
APC

This is a device that’s most successful within one specific niche — graphic designers who use pen-driven apps. Some of the other elements feel like very un-Apple-like compromises. For now, if you want a tablet for general productivity, the Surface Pro 4 is the more flexible choice.

- Dan Gardiner, APC


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Quick view

Screen Size
12.9"

The Apple iPad Pro's screen size is 12.9 inches with 2048 x 2732 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.26 GHz

There is a Apple A9X Dual core 2.26 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the iOS 9 (Update Available: 12) operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP
You can take photos with the phone's onboard 8+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
32/128 GB

Internal memory is 32/128 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
38WHr

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 38 WHr battery. Apple's performance ratings are 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

iPad Pro Specs

Overview
Release Date November 30, 2014
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System iOS 9 (Update Available: 12)

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A9X Dual core 2.26 GHz
Internal Storage 32/128 GB
RAM 4 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Body: 1.19 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Headset, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
No
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Lightning
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, HID, HFP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Face detection, Multi-shot, Self-timer, HDR
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 2048 x 2732 pixels
Pixel density 264 pixels
Size 12.9 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 38 WHr
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 5 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Unknown
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Colors Silver, Gold, Space Gray
Dimensions [H x W x D] 30.5 x 22 x 0.7 cm (12 x 8.7 x 0.3 in)
Weight 713
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech Yes
Screen Reader Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):

Fingerprint identity sensor built into the Home button
Apple iPad Pro Manual (HTML)

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