Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2018 release) – complete tech specs, comparisons, and more
The 2018 iPad Pro comes with all-screen design, Face ID, and dedicated accessories: 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, and Smart Keyboard Folio
The new Apple iPad Pro 12.9 was announced together with the smaller 11-inch model on October 30, 2018, and is completely redesigned to make you rethink what iPad is capable of.
Both 2018 iPad Pro all-screen feature Face ID, Liquid Retina display, and a next-generation A12X Bionic chip. They come in two colors (Silver and Space Gray), and four storage options (64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB).
You won’t see the home button in the new iPad Pro models – the Face ID is now used to unlock them securely. And the Lightning port was replaced by a high-speed USB-C connector.
For the entry-level version of Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (64 GB, Wi-Fi only), you will pay $999, which is $200 more than for the 2017 iPad Pro 12.9.
iPad Pro models released in 2018 come together with the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil. The newest stylus has a built-in sensor that responses to the touch, and magnets that enable it to attach to the iPad.
iPad Pro 2018 models are designed to break barriers when it comes to creative work. The newly introduced Smart Keyboard Folio sports a lightweight, slim design, connects to the iPad via the Smart Connector and offers two viewing angles.
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Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, says:
There has never been a mobile device anything like the new iPad Pro; it has a gorgeous edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display that curves into the corners, breakthrough performance that outperforms most laptops, Face ID, support for the new Smart Keyboard Folio and new Apple Pencil.
The 2018 Apple iPad Pro tablets are already available for pre-order. They start shipping on November 7, 2018, to the US and over 40 other countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the UK.
The smaller model: Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (2018) – full tech specs, comparisons, pics, and more
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) – main features
Edge-to-edge display
The most prominent feature of the new iPad Pro is the design.
The display fills almost the entire space, leaving only a thin frame around it. It has rounded corners to match the iPad’s curved shape.
The thing that you will immediately notice missing is the home button. It was being replaced by Face ID. Thanks to this bold decision, the all-screen design was possible to achieve.
Face ID
Now, to unlock the iPad Pro, you will use Face ID. Apple claims it is “the most secure facial authentication system in any tablet or computer.” Now it comes to the iPad for the first time.
You will be able to activate Face ID in any position. There is no need to hold the iPad in portrait mode and position it towards your face.
Correct mapping of the owner’s face is done thanks to the TrueDepth camera system.
Liquid Retina display
The display of the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 sports the same resolution (2732 × 2048 px) and pixel density (264 ppi).
The display combines true-to-life color and ProMotion technology so that everything could feel responsive and look gorgeous.
With precision-milled glass, advanced pixel masking, sub-pixel antialiasing, and a new backlight design, the new Liquid Retina display in iPad Pro is Apple’s brightest and most color accurate iPad display.
ProMotion, a technology known from the previous generation, automatically adjusts the refresh rate to the movement of the content and ultra-smooth scrolling.
A12X Bionic chip and Neural Engine
The next-generation A12X Bionic chip was built specifically for the 2018 iPad Pro. It is “the smartest and most powerful chip in a tablet.”
The chip features four performance cores and four efficiency cores for up to 35% faster performance, that outperforms most laptops.
Apple’s Neural Engine is built for advanced machine learning, completing up to 5 trillion operations per second.
The Face ID is quick and reliable thanks to Neural Engine.
USB-C connector
The Lightning connector was replaced in the 2018 iPad Pro with USB-C. Thanks to that, you can make the most of your iPad – faster.
USB-C is used for fast charging, it supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 for high-bandwidth data transfers, and drives external displays up to 5K.
With USB-C, you can even use your iPad Pro to charge your iPhone.
2nd-generation Apple Pencil
Apple Pencil 2 is an iPad Pro 2018 accessory, but you have to buy it separately for $129 (compared to $99 for the previous generation).
The pen two new features.
First of all, it’s now capable of detecting taps, thanks to a built-in touch sensor. It gives entirely new ways to interact. For instance, with a double tap, you can change tools in the drawing app.
The second feature makes Apple Pencil holders useless. You can now attach the pen magnetically to the edge of iPad Pro. It doesn’t only help you keep the pen always with you. Apple Pencil, when attached to the iPad, is being wirelessly charged.
Smart Keyboard Folio
The all-new Smart Keyboard Folio is sold separately but is designed to make you think it’s a part of the iPad Pro workspace.
The folio is extremely thin and lightweight, giving solid protection for both the front and back of the tablet. It can be transformed into a stand, offering two viewing positions.
The most important thing, therefore, is a smooth full-size keyboard, providing a great typing experience, quite similar to laptops.
The Smart Keyboard Folio for the iPad Pro 11 (2018) costs $199.
Read also 20 best new accessories, cases, and sleeves for iPad Pro 2018 tablets
iPad Pro 12.9 (2018 release, 3rd generation) – tech specs
All specs of the newest 12.9-inch iPad Pro that were revealed by Apple, are added to the table below. If there are any missing specs, please reach us in social media so that we could complete the chart.
| Screen | 12.9-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina LED-backlit Multi‑Touch display with ProMotion technology |
|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 2732 × 2048 px |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi |
| Storage capacity | • 64 GB • 256 GB • 512 GB • 1 TB |
| microSD card | No |
| RAM memory | 4 GB / 6 GB |
| Processor | • A12X Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture • Neural Engine • Embedded M12 coprocessor |
| Cameras | • Main / Rear: 12 MP, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x • Secondary / Front: 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Body colors | • Silver • Space Gray |
| Battery | 36.71Wh rechargeable lithium‑polymer battery, non-removable |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music on a single charge |
| Charging | Charging via power adapter or USB-C to computer system |
| Weight | 22.26 oz / 631 g |
| Dimensions | 11.04 × 8.46 × 0.23 in / 280.6 × 214.9 × 5.9 mm |
| Wi-Fi | Wi‑Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); HT80 with MIMO |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 technology |
| Ports & Connectors | • USB-C • Smart Connector |
| Operating System | iOS 12 |
| Sound | Four built‑in speakers |
| Sensors | • Face ID • Three-axis gyro • Accelerometer • Barometer • Ambient light sensor |
| In the box | • iPad Pro 11 (2018) • USB-C charge cable (1 meter) • 18W USB-C power adapter |
| Compatible with Apple Pencil | Yes, Apple Pencil sold separately |
| Compatible with Smart Keyboard Folio | Yes, Smart Keyboard Folio sold separately |
| Launch dates | • announcement – October 30, 2018 • pre-orders – October 30, 2017 • release – November 7, 2017 |
| Prices | • 64 GB / WiFi – $999 • 64 GB / WiFi + Cellular – $1,149 • 256 GB / WiFi – $1,149 • 256 GB / WiFi + Cellular – $1,299 • 512 GB / WiFi – $1,349 • 512 GB / WiFi + Cellular – $1,499 • 1 TB / WiFi – $1,749 • 1 TB / WiFi + Cellular – $1,899 |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) – comparisons
Do you want to quickly check out how the 3rd generation 12.9-inch iPad compares to the previous generation released in June 2017? Take a look at the table below.
iPad Pro 12.9 – the 2018 vs. 2017 release
| Feature | iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) | iPad Pro 12.9 (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | 3rd generation | 2nd generation |
| Display size | 12.9-inch | 12.9-inch |
| Display resolution | 2732 × 2048 px | 2732 × 2048 px |
| HDR support | Yes | Yes |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Processor | A12X Bionic chip + M12 coprocessor | A10X Fusion chip + M10 coprocessor |
| Internal memory | 64 GB 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB |
64 GB 256 GB 512 GB |
| RAM memory | 4 GB / 6 GB | 4 GB |
| microSD | No | No |
| Pen support | Yes (sold separately) |
Yes (sold separately) |
| Cameras | Front: 7 MP Rear: 12 MP |
Front: 7 MP Rear: 12 MP |
| Digital zoom | 5x | 5x |
| Weight | 22.26 oz 631 g |
23.88 oz 677 g |
| Dimensions | 11.04 × 8.46 × 0.23 in 280.6 × 214.9 × 5.9 mm |
12.0 × 8.68 × 0.27 in 305.7 × 220.6 × 6.9 mm |
| Colors | Silver Space Gray |
Silver Space Gray Gold |
| Operating system | iOS 12 | iOS 10 |
| Release date | November 7, 2018 | June 12, 2017 |
| Launch price | from $999 | from $649 |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) – pictures
The 3rd-generation of top-shelf iPad Pro – here is how it looks like in official pictures revealed by Apple.
iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) – product info
What does Apple say about the newest 12.9-inch iPad Pro? Here are the highlights.
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 tablet (2018 release)
Like a computer. Unlike any computer
With the new iPad Pro, you get what you need from a computer, along with many incredible things you’d never expect from one. Here are a few reasons why your next computer just might be iPad Pro.
More powerful than most computers
iPad Pro features the A12X Bionic chip with a Neural Engine. Which transforms how you experience photos, gaming, and augmented reality. A12X Bionic also makes iPad Pro faster than most PC laptops and powerful enough to handle the apps you use every day. And even pro apps like Adobe Photoshop CC.
Thinner than the thinnest laptop
It weighs barely a pound and has up to 10 hours of battery life to keep you going all day.1 Stay connected on the go with fast Wi‑Fi and Gigabit‑class LTE.2 You can even print, project, and send files wirelessly.
Does what a computer does
Use multiple apps at the same time with a few taps. Move objects between apps simply by dragging and dropping, or switch apps with a single swipe.
Works with a keyboard when you need one
The full‑size onscreen keyboard lets you respond to an email or write a paper, and it even acts as a trackpad. And if you want a full‑size physical keyboard, just attach the Smart Keyboard Folio for a great typing experience and front and back protection.
Made to protect your privacy
Your stuff is safe. That’s because iPad Pro comes with features like Face ID, the most secure facial authentication system in a tablet or a computer. And it has features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention in Safari, which helps protect against websites collecting your personal data.
Top iPad cases and accessories to get in 2019
Based on recommendations from top tech sites and best customer reviews.
Zugu Muse Case for iPad Pro 11 (2018)
Magnet-secured case with 8 stand angles. Wireless Apple Pencil charging support, 5ft drop protection, car industry materials. Also for iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad 9.7.
Average rating: 4.7/5
amFilm Tempered Glass iPad 10.2 Screen Protector 2-Pack
Premium quality tempered glass screen protector from amFilm Glass – a brand trusted by millions of customers. 99% transparency, zero bubbles, oleophobic coating, ultra thin (0.33 mm), 9H hardness.
Average rating: 4.2/5
ESR Tri-fold iPad mini 5 Flexible Case
In this slim and lightweight case, a tri-fold front is combined with a back shell that’s made of flexible soft rubber. It’s a great Smart Cover alternative.
Average rating: 4.6/5
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