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iPad Pro (2018) Hands-on: Most significant update yet

Apple’s 2018 iPad Pro is the most significant update to the product line since its first release back in 2015.

The Cupertino, California-based tech giant revealed the new device during its fall hardware keynote in New York at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

Display

11-inch IPS Liquid Retina display, 2388 x 1668 pixel resolution

12.9-inch IPS Liquid Retina display, 2,048 x 2,732 pixel resolution

Processor

A12X Bionic chip

A12X Bionic chip

RAM

4GB (6GB in the 1TB version)

4GB (6GB in the 1TB version)

Storage

64GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

64GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Dimensions (in.)

247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm

280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9mm

Weight

468g

631g, 633g cellular

Rear Facing Camera

12.2-megapixel (f/1.8 aperture)

12-megapixel (f/1.8 aperture)

Front Facing Camera

7-megapixel (f/2.2 aperture)

7-megapixel (f/2.2 aperture)

OS

iOS 12

iOS 12

Battery

Built-in 36.71-watt-hour

Network Connectivity

Wi-Fi up to 802.11.ac, LTE (23 bands), Bluetooth 5.0, GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE

Wi-Fi up to 802.11.ac, LTE (23 bands), Bluetooth 5.0, GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE

Sensors

Face ID, Three axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometer

Face ID , Three axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometer

SIM Type

eSIM

eSIM

Launch Date

November 7, 2018

November 7, 2018

Misc

Colours: Silver, Space Grey

Colours: Silver, Space Grey

Display

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

11-inch IPS Liquid Retina display, 2388 x 1668 pixel resolution

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

12.9-inch IPS Liquid Retina display, 2,048 x 2,732 pixel resolution

Processor

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

A12X Bionic chip

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

A12X Bionic chip

RAM

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

4GB (6GB in the 1TB version)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

4GB (6GB in the 1TB version)

Storage

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

64GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

64GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Dimensions (in.)

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9mm

Weight

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

468g

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

631g, 633g cellular

Rear Facing Camera

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

12.2-megapixel (f/1.8 aperture)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

12-megapixel (f/1.8 aperture)

Front Facing Camera

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

7-megapixel (f/2.2 aperture)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

7-megapixel (f/2.2 aperture)

OS

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

iOS 12

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

iOS 12

Battery

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

Built-in 36.71-watt-hour

Network Connectivity

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

Wi-Fi up to 802.11.ac, LTE (23 bands), Bluetooth 5.0, GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

Wi-Fi up to 802.11.ac, LTE (23 bands), Bluetooth 5.0, GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE

Sensors

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

Face ID, Three axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometer

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

Face ID , Three axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometer

SIM Type

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

eSIM

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

eSIM

Launch Date

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

November 7, 2018

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

November 7, 2018

Misc

11-inch iPad Pro (2018)

Colours: Silver, Space Grey

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

Colours: Silver, Space Grey

While the new MacBook Air was likely the highlight for most longtime Apple users, the revamped iPad Pro includes many worthy upgrades too.

iPad Pro

To start, the new Pro includes Face ID instead of Touch ID, though I wasn’t able to test the feature out. This allowed Apple to make the iPad’s bezels significantly slimmer. The new iPad also doesn’t feature a display notch like some predicted, with Apple instead opting to include just enough bezel to add the iPhone XS’ facial recognition technology and front-facing camera.

Similar to past versions of the tablet, the device comes in 11-inch and 12.9-inch variants. Given the minimized bezels, the 11-inch display fits in a body that’s roughly the same size as the 10.5-inch iPad Pro.

The larger 12.9-inch model, on the other hand, feels much smaller than its predecessor, at least at the outset, measuring in at about the same size as a standard sheet of paper — this is something Apple also pointed out during its keynote. I’d even go so far as to say that the 12.9-inch iPad feels like the size I might choose now, unlike the previous bulky 12.9-inch version model.

iPad Pro keyboard

The new iPad Pro’s display itself looks identical to last year’s 10.5-inch iPad Pro screen and features the same 264ppi as other Retina versions of the iPad.

The one change to the screen most people will note is the fact that Apple has rounded the corners of the new iPad Pro’s Liquid Retina LCD display similar to the iPhone XR. This means that the new iPad Pro still features an LCD display and not the more modern OLED technology found in the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

Regarding build quality, the new Pro almost feels like a throwback to the iPhone 4 era thanks to its rectangular, squared off sides. While some might not be fond of this design shift, I think it’s great. It gives the new Pro a unique look that helps it stand out from its predecessors as well as the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

iPad Pro rear

The most controversial shift this time around is the fact that the new Pro no longer features a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, a fact Apple didn’t mention during its keynote.

It’s unclear why Apple opted to ditch the standard jack, but it’s something I plan to ask the company during my briefings later this week. It’s doubtful Apple can state that it ditched the headphone jack to make more space inside for other components given the tablet’s size in comparison to the iPhone.

On a more positive note, Apple has made the jump to USB-C with the new iPad Pro. This means that the new iPad Pro is capable of outputting to external displays in both extended and mirrored mode, which is a useful feature, especially for photo editing.

iPad Pro USB-C

It’s unclear what specific USB-C accessories the new iPad Pro will be compatible with, but it’s likely Apple will block the use of most of them, unfortunately. That said, Apple has confirmed to MobileSyrup that some external storage solutions. For example, most USB-C SD card readers should work with the new iPad.

As soon as I get my hands on an iPad Pro review device, I plan to plug in as many dongles as possible to test out the port’s compatibility.

Apple also revealed a new Apple Pencil that includes a more rectangular design reminiscent of an actual pencil, as well as a less smudge-attracting matte finish. While I didn’t test the feature out, Apple says that the new Pencil is capable of charging wirelessly and can also attach magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro — similar to the way the stylus connects to Microsoft’s Surface devices.

iPad Pro Apple Pencil

Further, the new Apple Pencil includes a new double-tap shortcut that switches the stylus from pen to eraser mode. Apple says that the feature can be remapped to activate other functionality, though again, I wasn’t able to test out this feature during my brief time with the 2018 iPad.

Finally, Apple has also changed the iPad Pro’s Smart Keyboard slightly.

The Smart Connector on the Pro has been shifted to its base, giving it a more solid feel and also protecting the back of the device when folded up.

iPad Pro 2018 side view

Because of the Smart Keyboard, Face ID also works in landscape mode, according to Apple.

It’s unclear if Face ID works in landscape mode as well as it does in portrait, but this is a feature I’m hoping to spend more time testing out when I get more hands-on time with the tablet.

We’ll have more on the new 2018 iPad Pro in the coming days including a full review of Apple’s new tablet.

iPad Pro corner view

The 11-inch iPad Pro will be available in ‘Silver’ and ‘Space Grey,’ with pricing starting at $999 CAD, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,249 CAD. The new Apple Pencil will run you $169 CAD and the Smart Keyboard Folio is priced at $239.

Both are available to pre-order now and go on sale on November 7th.

Update 10/31/2018: The story has been update to reflect that the iPad Pro does work with some USB-C with external storage solutions.

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