iPad Pro 2020 11-inch and 12.9-inch vs 3rd Generation iPad Pros 2018

Beyond the fancy dual camera, LIDAR sensor and minor bump in CPU, here are the key differences between the latest iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch with previous 2018 iPad Pro 3rd generation models. If you are still holding on to a pre-2018 iPad Pro models, the 1st and 2nd generations, it may be time to upgrade.

The new generation iPad Pro first launched in 2018 differs vastly from previous iPad Pros (1st or 2nd generation). The departure from the conventional design language introduced since the first generation iPad gives the iPad Pro a design appeal. With its rounded corner display, slimmer and even bezel, squared edges and support for magnetic charging for Apple Pencil 2, it’s a big jump from previous generation iPad Pros.

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iPad Pro 2020 vs iPad Pro 2018: minor spec bump, dual camera and LIDAR sensor

Fast forward to 2020, the replacement model is more of a mid-life spec bump, no real change to the way it looks. Knowing Apple, this new design is likely to stay around for a while. In fact, there are rumours that future iPhones will take on this squared edge profile. So what do you get in the 2020 model that wasn’t in the 2018 version?

The iPad Pro’s new LiDAR scanner sits next to the dual cameras, the main 12MP and 10MP ultra wide camera setup and flash are set in a square camera bump with rounded corners.

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• Dual Camera: instead of just the typical single main shooter on the rear of the tablet, Apple has added a secondary camera. This looks like a direct response to other high-end tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 which spots a 13MP and 5MP rear camera pair. An wide angle 10MP f/2.4 camera has been added to the 12MP f/1.8 main shooter offering 125-degree field-of-view and 2x optical zoom.
• LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanner : for Augmented Reality applications, the LIDAR sensor is another addition that will eventually, as rumours go, find its way into new generation iPhone 12 Pro. It does not add a bump to the cluster of cameras but you can see it’s there. Other sensors housed in the cluster are the True Tone flash and one of the four microphones. Previous model already support AR but with the dedicated LIDAR scanner, it will become more responsive and realistic.

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• Slightly faster processor and GPU: the A12Z Fusion chip powering the 2020 is not entirely a new processor. Based on the same A12X Bionic on the 2018, it had one of its GPU core enabled making it a full eight-core graphics versus 7 in the A12X. You could argue that it was previously disabled, crippled in some way. Which ever way you look at it, it is now a fully enabled chip and therefore faster. Both come with embedded M12 coprocessor and Neural Engine. The A12X was already faster than most processors on desktop PC and even MacBook. It is likely that the Bionic chip will find its way into future MacBooks.
• Slightly heavier: looking at the WiFi only models, the 11-inch iPad Pro 2020 is 3 grams heavier at 471 grams. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2020 is 10 grams heavier at 641 grams. Thi is likely attributed to the added camera and sensor.
• Bigger starting storage: the 2018 models have a starting storage of 64GB. With the 2020 models, these have doubled to 128GB. You know what other premium tablets come with 128GB storage, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6.
• Better value: If you had bought the 2018 model back in 2019 or just before the launch of the 2020 model, you would have missed out on all the features above. Especially the double storage. As you know, Apple charges a premium for bigger storage.
• Studio quality microphones: using the same number of microphone arrays and clever tweaking, the iPad Pro 2020 promises studio like audio recording quality.
• Support for Magic Keyboard: If you like the look of the new Magic Keyboard with a floating iPad Pro support, zig-zag hinge, built-in back-lit keyboard and trackpad. Launched a few months after the release of the 2020 iPad Pro, it supports both 3rd and 4th generation devices. See image below.

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Elsewhere, things stayed pretty much the same. It’s wrapped in the same body and come with same colour options WiFi or Cellular.

• Storage options are 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB.
• Same 7MP front facing TrueDepth camera
• Face ID to login quickly and to verify purchases and passwords
• Four speakers, five microphones
• Magnetic charging for Apple Pencil 2
• Same edge to edge Liquid Retina display on iPad Pro 11 (1668 x 2388 and 264 pixels per inch) and iPad Pro 12.9 (2048 x 2732 and 264 pixels per inch) with 120Hz refresh rate, ProMotion for super responsive motion and True Tone technology that automatically adjusts the white balance according to ambient lighting.
• Same 10 hours battery life
• Supports new iPadOS 13.4 which means support for trackpad and Sidecar
• Support for existing Smart Keyboard
• USB-C support included in all models.
• Both with choice of WiFi only or WiFi and cellular for connectivity
• Same dimensions: iPad Pro 11 is 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm, and iPad Pro 12.9 are 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9mm.
• Both have claimed battery life of up to 10 hours when browsing the web over WiFi or watching video.
• Both features Smart Connector on the backplate to connect to Smart Keyboard for data and power
• Same colour choices: silver or space gray

Should I Get the New iPad Pro 2020

So the question comes down to should I get the new iPad Pro 2020. If you are buying your first pro tablet, the iPad Pro 2020 is certainly the one to go for. While it may not be a big upgrade from 2018 version, the extra storage alone is worth it given that they offer it at the same price as the outgoing 2018 model.

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If you already have a 2018 model, there is no real gain in getting the 2020 model. Dual camera and LIDAR sensor are just Apple’s way of playing catch up with the other pro tablet. But if you have the older 1st or 2nd generation iPad Pro, then the iPad Pro 2020 is worth considering.

It’s a whole different generation altogether with edge-to-edge display, rounded corners, square edge chassis profile and overall smaller footprint. Having said that, the iPadOS 13.4 is still supported on all iPad Pro including the earlier 9.7-inch and 10.5-inch models. So, the real push to upgrade may be that when support for new OS releases seize on older iPad Pros.

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The iPad Pro is a lovely device. With mouse, trackpad and keyboard support plus a dedicated tablet operating system the iPadOS, it is become a viable laptop alternative. Podcasters, videographers, video bloggers, artists and designers are already using the iPad Pro as their main machine to do real work, albeit with accessories. Before the Magic Keyboard, typical iPad Pro desktop setup includes external keyboard, mouse or touchpad, Type-C expansion hub, sound mixer, web cam, professional microphone, external large 4K or 5K display and iPad stand.

Apple iPad Pro 2020 Specifications

Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Processor:

• A12Z Bionic chip with 64‑bit architecture
• Neural Engine
• Embedded M12 coprocessor

Camera:

• Wide: 12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture
• Ultra Wide: 10MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture and 125° field of view
• 2x optical zoom out; digital zoom up to 5x
• Five‑element lens (Wide and Ultra Wide)
• Brighter True Tone flash
• Panorama (up to 63MP)
• Sapphire crystal lens cover
• Backside illumination sensor
• Hybrid IR filter
• Autofocus with Focus Pixels (Wide)
• Tap to focus with Focus Pixels (Wide)
• Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos
• Exposure control
• Noise reduction
• Smart HDR for photos
• Auto image stabilisation
• Burst mode
• Timer mode
• Photo geotagging
• Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG

Video Recording

• 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps (Wide); 60 fps (Ultra Wide)
• 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
• 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
• Brighter True Tone flash
• Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps (Wide); 240 fps (Ultra Wide)
• Time-lapse video with stabilisation
• Cinematic video stabilisation (1080p and 720p)
• Continuous autofocus video
• Noise reduction
• Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
• Playback zoom
• Video geotagging
• Video formats captured: HEVC and H.264

TrueDepth Camera

• 7MP photos
• Portrait mode
• Portrait Lighting
• Animoji and Memoji
• 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
• Retina Flash
• ƒ/2.2 aperture
• Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos
• Smart HDR
• Backside illumination sensor
• Auto image stabilisation
• Burst mode
• Exposure control
• Timer mode

4 speakers, 5 studio quality microphones for calls, video recording and audio recording

Mobile and Wireless:

• 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6; simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); HT80 with MIMO
• Bluetooth 5.0 technology
• WiFi+ Cellular models: UMTS/HSPA/​HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
• Gigabit-class LTE (Models A2068 and A2069: bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71)
• Data only
• Wi‑Fi calling
• eSIM

Sensors

• Face ID
• LiDAR scanner
• Three-axis gyro
• Accelerometer
• Barometer
• Ambient light sensor

Battery Life:

• Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi or watching video. Charging via power adapter or USB‑C to computer system
• Wi‑Fi + Cellular models: Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using a mobile data network
• USB-C Charge Cable and 18W USB-C Power Adapter