Apple has barely unveiled its 2020 iPad Pro that customers are already flocking. Despite everything, some prefer to wait a few more months before proceeding to checkout. To understand why, just look at the iPad Pro 2018 … And the brand’s release schedule, which already provides for other versions this year.
First of all, let’s start by recalling the precepts of the iPad Pro. This range of Apple tablets is the most luxurious of the brand, and as its name suggests it is intended above all for professional or intensive use. Indeed, its technical sheet is beyond all other models, whether it is the family of historical and classic iPads, the more compact iPad Mini or even the ultralight iPad Air whose thickness is reminiscent of MacBook. eponymous.
Key Specification
iPad Pro 2018 | iPad Pro 2020 | |
CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | |
Chipset | Apple A12X Bionic (7 nm) | Apple A12Z Bionic |
Display | 11 inches | 11 inches |
Memory | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB |
Camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
Fingerprint Sensor | No | No |
Design
iPad Pro 2018 | iPad Pro 2020 | |
Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm |
Weight | 468 g | 471 g |
Screen Size | 11 inches | 11 inches |
Color | Silver, Space Gray | Silver, Space Gray |
Display Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
Build Material | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
The shell of the iPad Pro 2020, like that of the iPad Pro 2018, takes the guidelines of the iPhone 4, more straightforward and straight than the curves introduced with the iPhone 6. The result is a more sober appearance, more serious, and therefore well and truly suited to more professional use. As there are two sizes for each edition, one of the products will obviously be easier to take on a trip than the other, and this is where the customer’s choice can be decisive. Count 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm for the 11-inch iPad Pro, against 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro .
The new Magic Keyboard, on the other hand, is different from the Smart Keyboard Folio. Indeed, it is more complete since it also includes a trackpad, even if there is still no numeric keypad in the program. Note that the old iterations of this family of accessories are still compatible with the iPad Pro 2020.
In addition, the fourth-generation iPad Pro also benefits from an interesting asset for confidentiality: its microphone can be physically disconnected. This was not the case with the iPad Pro 2018, and for those who want to preserve their privacy, this is a real plus.
The iPad Pro 2020 is available in two display sizes. The first therefore offers an IPS LCD touchscreen with an 11-inch diagonal, while the second reaches 12.9 inches, almost as much as a MacBook Pro. The duo has an array of sixteen million colors with proprietary True Tone technology, offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz and can reach a brightness of 600 nits. A glass pane protects the screen from scratches; it is also compatible with several styluses, including Apple Pencil. This tool is favored by graphic designers, tattoo artists and architects to make sketches as faithfully as possible.
There is also no difference between the iPad Pro 2018 and the iPad Pro 2020 at the screen level. A subcontractor could even confirm that the component used is exactly the same. On the other hand, each of the versions with a 12.9-inch screen is more borderless than its little brother: the device size/screen size ratio thus reaches 85.4% on the large model against 82.9% on the other. The pixel density is similar, however, at 265 PPI in both cases.
Performance
iPad Pro 2018 | iPad Pro 2020 | |
Processor | Octa-core | Octa-core |
GPU | Apple GPU (7-core graphics) | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) |
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
Internal storage | 64GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
Storage expansion | No | No |
OS | iOS 12, upgradable to iPadOS 14.2 | iPadOS 13.4, upgradable to iPadOS 14.2 |
Camera
iPad Pro 2018 | iPad Pro 2020 | |
Rear | 12 MP | 12 MP+10 MP+3D LiDAR scanner |
Front | 7 MP | 7 MP |
Video recording | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
As for the technical characteristics, the iPad Pro 2018 counts on a single 12-megapixel rear lens with an opening f / 1.8 and a size 1/3 ″. The iPad Pro 2020, on the other hand, also offers a 10-megapixel ultra-wide-angle with an f / 2.4 focal length. Both photo modules use the same LED flash, can record in HDR and shoot with 4K definition. In short, the fourth iPad Pro will clearly be the most effective for shots, but only certain trades will see a real advantage: others will prefer to use the camera of their mobile, much easier to carry everywhere.
Multimedia
iPad Pro 2018 | iPad Pro 2020 | |
Headphone jack | No | No |
Loudspeaker | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
Audio Features | – | – |
Battery Life
iPad Pro 2018 | iPad Pro 2020 | |
Capacity | 29.45 Wh | 28.65 Wh (Fast charging 18W) |
Type | Li-Po | Li-Po |
User Replaceable | No | No |
All these technical characteristics are exactly the same on the iPad Pro 2018 (except certain series which were limited to 4 GB of RAM). But when we look at the Li-Po battery, one difference is noticeable: it’s capacity. Thus, the smaller iPad Pro 2020 offers only 7,540 mAh battery, while its predecessor reaches the 7,812 mAh. On the other hand, the most imposing iPad Pro 2018 seems to keep the same autonomy as the third-generation model. Either way, the gap between the cheapest products is really small, and we shouldn’t feel it every day. For the rest, it’s still the same everywhere: we are entitled to a GPS, Bluetooth and USB-C with the fastest speeds of the moment in both directions.
Connectivity
 | iPad Pro 2018 | iPad Pro 2020 |
SIM | Nano-SIM, eSIM | Nano-SIM, eSIM |
Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR |
Wifi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 |
GPS | Yes | Yes |
Sensors | Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer |
Conclusion!
To conclude, the iPad Pro 2020 is more of an update to the iPad Pro 2018 than a real new benchmark. Indeed, even if the CPU of the fourth generation tablet is announced as more efficient than the A12X bionic of the previous one, it offers similar performance and apart from an additional lit core, it is not that different. For the battery, the differences are also insignificant.
It is, therefore, the double lens on the back, coupled with LiDAR, truly unique on an iPad, which will make the difference for real specialists. Otherwise, the question will be iPad Pro 11 or iPad Pro 12.9,
Here are the best prices, updated in real-time, for the iPad Pro 2018 which costs (to a few tens of euros) the same price as the iPad Pro 2020 and can therefore be considered as an excellent alternative: