iPad Pro (2018) vs iPad: Comparing Apple’s tablets
Apple has just unveiled its new iPad Pro tablets, finally updating the devices that haven’t been touched since June 2017. These new versions of the iPad Pro will be sold alongside the iPad which remains Apple’s entry-level tablet.
The Apple iPad’s price starts at £319, whereas the iPad Pro 2018 costs £769 for the 11-inch model and £969 for the 12.9-inch model. That’s a big price difference – but what exactly do you get for your money?
iPad Pro (2018) vs iPad – Display and specs
The iPad Pro is targeted, as the name suggests, at ‘professionals’. There’s a big focus on the screen and the power of the internal components.
The iPad Pro (2018) comes in both 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, with the iPad only boasting a 9.7-inch option.
It’s not just the size that’s different, it also comes down to the quality of the panel. The iPad Pros feature 120Hz refresh rates for smoother navigation, support for the wide P3 colour gamut and a ppi (pixels per inch) of 264. They also have a much thinner bezel with curved edges.
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The iPad, on the other hand, has a more standard 60Hz refresh and no support for P3. It does have the same 264ppi, though.
Powering the iPad Pro (2018) is the A12X Bionic chipset, an upgraded version of the SoC you’ll find in the new iPhone XS and iPhone XR. Where the iPad version differs from its phone counterpart is in the graphics chip, which, Apple said, puts the iPad on a similar level to an Xbox One S console.
This brand-new, super fast is a big improvement both in processing and graphics when compared to the A10 chip inside the iPad. If you’re really looking for extra oomph and for games and apps to run as well as possible, you’re better off looking at the iPad Pro.
You’ll get better audio from the iPad Pro too, thanks to the quad-speaker array situated around the device. The iPad instead uses two speakers on the bottom to produce sound. One notable missing feature on the 2018 iPad Pros is a headphone jack, something you will find on the cheaper iPad.
In terms of battery life it’s hard to really gauge how the two devices will compare yet. Apple claims both will last ‘all-day’ but we’ll need to spend time with the new iPad Pro to see what that means with proper usage.
iPad Pro (2018) vs iPad – Design and accessories
The 2018 iPad Pro is the first real change to how iPads look in a long time. It looks very much like the iPhone SE, with flat sides and rounded corners, We haven’t held the device yet, but it looks very slick in pictures. It ditches Lightning for USB-C and includes lots of magnets around the front and back to connect the Apple Pencil 2 and Folio Smart Keyboard.
There’s no Touch ID fingerprint sensing home button on the new iPad Pro (2018). Instead it’s unlocked via Face ID and controlled by a gesture-based UI. If you’ve used an iPhone X or newer then you’ll feel right at home.
The non-Pro iPad looks is a bit more curvy, with softer lines and and a thicker bezel surrounding the screen. You’ve got the home button, headphone jack and Lightning connector for charging and syncing.
What has always set the iPad Pro apart from the other iPad is the selection of Apple-made accessories. For the iPad Pro you can get the Apple Pencil 2 and a Folio Smart Keyboard.
Apple Pencil 2 connects and charges wirelessly and lets you draw directly onto the display. We loved Apple Pencil 1 so it’ll be interesting to see how this compares.
The Smart Keyboard Cover also attaches via magnets and turns the iPad Pro into something more akin to a laptop. You can find keyboard cases for the iPad, but none connect as simply and most require charging.
iPad Pro (2018) vs iPad – What’s the difference in price?
Apple’s iPad starts at £319 for the 32GB model and £409 for the 128GB. If you want LTE/4G support you’ll need to pay £449 for 32GB and £539 for 128GB.
The iPad Pro (2018) costs £769 for the 11-inch model, that’s for 64GB. The next capacity bump is 256GB for £919, then 512GB for £1019 and finally 1TB for £1519. If you’re looking for the 12.9-inch model then pricing starts at £969 for 64GB. 256GB for £1119, 512GB for £1319 and 1TB for £1719.
There’s cellular models of the new iPad Pro (2018) available too. You can order the 2018 iPad Pro today, and it’ll ship November 7.
We’ll have a more in-depth comparison when we’ve put the iPad Pro (2018) through our review process.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
