2020 iPad Pro Reviews: Minor Upgrade Today Paves Way for New AR Capabilities in Future

[Ghost31]

While iPad Magic Keyboard is by no means cheap, its price isn't so bad when you consider that it has (1) Apple Magic Keyboard ($99 for Mac) and (2) Apple Magic Trackpad ($129 for Mac), while adding an extra USB-C port and doubling as a case protecting front and back.

My criticism is uncertainty with future iPad Pro models. Apple will more than likely change the form factor of iPad Pro in the future. Meanwhile, Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 are almost guaranteed to work with future Macs and iPads.

I hated the price of the regular Smart Keyboard and for the next gen iPad Pro I bought, I ended up trying others. Went through like 5 other brands. Some had backlights and function keys, some had better protection. All were cheaper. Wanna know where I ended up? Back to buying an Apple Smart Keyboard because it was so seamless and easy to carry.

I’ll complain until I’m blue in the face about how apple overpriced things, but when it comes to actually using the product, often I find it just can’t be beat. Same for the magic keyboard. It’s super expensive and yet it’ll be best in the market. So it comes down to do you want the best? Pay for it, enjoy it and move on

 

[The Cappy]

I can't think of anything more useless to the majority of iPad users than this camera. Apple has to give us more than that to cause folks to shell out big bucks...

I use my camera. Depends on the setting. It's got the best viewfinder on the planet.

 

[UltimateSyn]

It’s a fair question. I typically upgrade my iPad and iPhone anytime a new one rolls out so that I get the highest resell value which helps offset the cost to upgrade.

Makes sense! I still upgrade my phone yearly, but with the 2018 iPad I anticipated diminishing returns on the way for a few years so I bought the 1TB and expect to keep it for a while. Can't wait to get my hands on the Magic Keyboard though, what an impressive accessory. Will you be getting one of those?

 

[44267547]

Lots of negativity as usual, I think this iPad really is Not necessarily targeted for the 2018 iPad owners, but for those may who have an older model aside from that, or who want to graduate to the Pro Series from a ‘lesser model’.

As for the keyboard, it is expensive, yes, but I definitely think it serves it’s purpose for those who really want the trackpad experience. It’s optional, not a mandated purchase for those Plan on upgrading to the 2020 iPad Pro.

 

[lkalliance]

This is super tangential, but given that Apple came out and announced these new products (which would surely have had their own event if not for the current medical crisis) instead of waiting, and given that Apple's supplier situation seems to be improving...perhaps the rumored "iPhone SE 2" or "iPhone 9" will indeed be announced at the end of the month.
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Lots of negativity as usual, I think this iPad really is Not necessarily targeted for the 2018 iPad owners, but for those may who have an older model aside from that, or who want to graduate to the Pro Series from a ‘lesser model’.

This way of looking at it is relevant to a lot of iPad or iPhone releases that commenters or pundits deem small improvements over last year's model. Most of us are not upgrading from last year's model, but from models that are two or three (or four or five or six) years old. I'm looking forward to the rumored iPhone SE 2 (or iPhone 9, your pick), which is an "iPhone 8 with a new chip" and that's exactly a wonderful improvement from my current iPhone SE.

My iPad is an iPad Air 2, announced almost six years ago already. Can you believe what a jump that would be for me to the current iPad Pro?
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As for the keyboard, it is expensive, yes, but I definitely think it serves it’s purpose for those who really want the trackpad experience. It’s optional, not a mandated purchase for those Plan on upgrading to the 2020 iPad Pro.

It's optional, and/or something you can buy next year or the year after, when you can afford it. When I see folks say that it's so-and-so many dollars to get everything, I feel you don't have to get it all right now. Same feeling I get when I'm watching Househunters and the home shoppers inevitably talk about how expensive it will be to redo all the things they want to redo. Goodness, do it over a few years, you don't need to do it all RIGHT NOW!!!!

 

[CraigB1960]

I just bought my wife an iPad Pro 12.9” 3rd gen (2018) right before the new one was announced. Returned it and bought her the 2020 version for less price. She has a very out dated mini iPad that can not be upgraded past 9 iOS. Primary use will be for her work (medical field).

I broke my iPad Retina display years ago and like the 11”, so I bought the 2020 version as well.

In our case, replacing very old iPads and in my case, I wanted something bigger to read with instead of my iPhone 11Pro Max when at home.

 

[erniefairchild1]

Verge continues to humiliate itself by hosting pretentious “reviewers”, whose smugness is only matched by their strange predilection toward exposing their bottom teeth while speaking.

 

[mi7chy]

Wasn't it those clowns at The Verge that once made fun of the size of the early Galaxy Note that it was like holding a piece of toast next to their heads? Now those same clowns promoting holding up a lunch tray as camera. How times have changed. Can't trust what those Apple puppets have to say.

Found the quote from Walt Mossberg:

"As a mobile phone, the Galaxy Note is positively gargantuan. It’s almost 6 inches long and over 3 inches wide. When you hold it up to your ear, it pretty much covers the entire side of your face. You look like you’re talking into a piece of toast. "

 

[Analog Kid]

just to sum up what’s going on right now: ignore the iPad Pro if you have a 2018. The real upgrade is the magic keyboard and it’s not even out yet.

the lack of a real processor Upgrade is downright bizarre. So bizarre it scratches that part of my brain that thinks something else is going on. a year and a half in technology advances and yet barely a real processor bump? Yeah no. The rumors about the fall iPad update will probably be true. This is iPad 3 all over again.

I’m getting the magic keyboard and sittin happy until the real iPad comes this fall

As a 2018 owner, I agree, and I think the fact the new keyboard is backwards compatible is further evidence that Apple isn’t trying to drive 2018 owners to upgrade. This is just a nice incremental release for those that don’t want 2 year old hardware and don’t like to by 1st gen products.

Reading this article though makes clear that a huge part of what Apple is trying to do is seed development of new AR apps. The hardware in this is the chicken, or maybe the egg, but whichever it is the apps are the other one.

I think the UWB hardware is similar— it‘s pretty useless right now, but I suspect Apple is seeding the market so there’s an installed base when the real applications hit. In that case though it seems to be part of an Apple product plan—is there even a public API for UWB?

 

[lakerchick4life]

I wanted to upgrade my 2018 iPad Pro 11 inch but will just wait til they come out with the supposed mini led 12.9 inch one at the end of the year..no point in upgrading to this one just for the camera

 

[jcshas]

Makes sense! I still upgrade my phone yearly, but with the 2018 iPad I anticipated diminishing returns on the way for a few years so I bought the 1TB and expect to keep it for a while. Can't wait to get my hands on the Magic Keyboard though, what an impressive accessory. Will you be getting one of those?

I’m all in on the Magic Keyboard! Wishing it would be out sooner!

 

[nutmac]

It's still a very overpriced product and the trackpad vertical space is way too small. I don't recommend buying it!

My point is that Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is only overpriced in that Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 are overpriced. When you compare Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro across Apple's product line, the price point is well within the norm.

As for the size of the trackpad on Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, it looks to be roughly the same as the original MacBook Air's. Until hands on reports, we won't know for sure, but I am guessing it's large enough, especially on 11-inch model (larger screen benefit from larger trackpad).

 

[Spikeboss]

If you have an ipad 2018, this 2020 ipad do not worth the upgrade, but if you have an older ipad and want a better one, ofc you gonna get this one, is simple like that.

 

[nutmac]

If you have an ipad 2018, this 2020 ipad do not worth the upgrade, but if you have an older ipad and want a better one, ofc you gonna get this one, is simple like that.

Except that you can buy a refurbished 2018 iPad Pro for $550 and up. If you don't value better cameras, 2GB extra RAM, better microphones, get the 2018 model.

 

[jozefd14]

Out of curiosity, why did you order a 2020 in the first place? Processor is almost identical, new keyboard works on the 2018s. Only substantial upgrade is the camera system, but unless you heavily rely on that I personally don't see a reason to throw a grand.

For me, I have the iPad Pro 9.7 inch. For some reason over the past year, when I fully charge my iPad, take it off the charger, go to work, then come back home, with the iPad on airplane mode (its wifi only), bluetooth off, no background apps running, the battery have drained 10-12%. I have went to the Apple store and called them about the issue and the battery capacity is still at 90%. I feel that iOS 12 ruined the battery drain I think. I have even fresh installed my iPad without restoring it. I have made a reddit post about it if you'd like to check it out. Links at the bottom

https://www.reddit.com/r/applehelp/comments/blo2fo

https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/bln7fk

 

[Analog Kid]

Verge continues to humiliate itself by hosting pretentious “reviewers”, whose smugness is only matched by their strange predilection toward exposing their bottom teeth while speaking.

Wow, that was sort of a left field ad hominem attack... I’m kind of disappointed now— I got all excited to take a break from my work and laugh at the Verge muppet but it turned out to be a reasonably balanced and informative review...

 

[The Game 161]

Except that you can buy a refurbished 2018 iPad Pro for $550 and up. If you don't value better cameras, 2GB extra RAM, better microphones, get the 2018 model.

But if you don’t have one you should buy the 2020 model certainly price wise it’s the same and the smallest storage has doubled

Agree if you have a 2018 model it’s worth staying what you got

 

[jimbobb24]

I don't know why you would upgrade from the 2018 but I am upgrading from a much older model and it looks amazing. Very excited.
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What is the killer AR app? Is there one? Cool technology looking for a use....

AR fully realized is going to be so game changing it will be scary. But I don't think we are there yet. Its sci-fi dream stuff about 2-5 years away.

 

[anthogag]

It is great the new iPad Pro has a good camera. iPads should've been candidates for the best available camera from day 1. Crappy pictures suck.

Are speakerphone calls on the Pro good. It has 4 speakers.

 

[otternonsense]

Lots of negativity as usual, I think this iPad really is Not necessarily targeted for the 2018 iPad owners, but for those may who have an older model aside from that, or who want to graduate to the Pro Series from a ‘lesser model’.

As for the keyboard, it is expensive, yes, but I definitely think it serves it’s purpose for those who really want the trackpad experience. It’s optional, not a mandated purchase for those Plan on upgrading to the 2020 iPad Pro.

I have a 2017 10.5" iPP and I'm in the market for a new iPP, but the 2020 iPP looks like a waste of money when it's barely different from the 2018 version and the new Smart Keyboard is indeed backwards compatible. I most likely will get a refurb and call it a day.

 

[44267547]

I have a 2017 10.5" iPP and I'm in the market for a new iPP, but the 2020 iPP looks like a waste of money when it's barely different from the 2018 version and the new Smart Keyboard is indeed backwards compatible. I most likely will get a refurb and call it a day.

Nothing wrong with a refurbished model, especially if it’s from Apple. It’s stringently tested, and still includes a one year full warranty. So I don’t blame you for your decision, as you can save a considerable amount of money with a ‘like new’ product.

 

[citysnaps]

As a 2018 owner, I agree, and I think the fact the new keyboard is backwards compatible is further evidence that Apple isn’t trying to drive 2018 owners to upgrade. This is just a nice incremental release for those that don’t want 2 year old hardware and don’t like to by 1st gen products.

I agree. Since you have a 2018 model, I'm curious (I still have an old iPad Air which still works fine), have you ever felt the processor power lacking in some manner?

 

[Analog Kid]

I agree. Since you have a 2018 model, I'm curious (I still have an old iPad Air which still works fine), have you ever felt the processor power lacking in some manner?

Never. I've got the 12.9" (after years of using the "regular size"), and I do notice that I can run the battery down faster, presumably because of backlighting that big screen, but as far as CPU/GPU/bandwidth to storage, I've never had an issue. My sense is that CPU is so far ahead of the rest of the iOS portfolio that apps aren't built to really strain the iPad Pro.

That said, while I've done some work with more desktop like apps (Affinity Photo, OmniGraffle, Concepts etc), it's been mostly small projects on the go. I haven't tried moving to a fully iPad based photography workflow, let alone video.

I was doing fine with my 10.5" Pro, and probably could have continued to for a few years. What really motivated the upgrade was that the smaller bezels made the 12.9" physically manageable. For now, this device is just about perfect for me. I've no interest in updating to the latest one. I'll look at what comes in the fall if the rumors hold and evaluate whether to update, but the only single spec that I can complain about now is the weight. The 12.9" gets a bit heavy to hold, less because of the mass and more because of leverage due to the size. It'll be hard to get the weight down much, but a thinner more efficient display might help.

 

[erniefairchild1]

Wow, that was sort of a left field ad hominem attack... I’m kind of disappointed now— I got all excited to take a break from my work and laugh at the Verge muppet but it turned out to be a reasonably balanced and informative review...

Oh, would you just stop?

Holy moly, with all the nastiness and vitriol that goes unaddressed on these message boards, you seriously took issue with my comment complaining about the stereotypically smug tone of an online review?

Come on.....

 

[Analog Kid]

Oh, would you just stop?

Holy moly, with all the nastiness and vitriol that goes unaddressed on these message boards, you seriously took issue with my comment complaining about the stereotypically smug tone of an online review?

Come on.....

No.
Yes.
Where are we going?