2020 iPad Pro Teardown Provides Closer Look at LiDAR Scanner and Confirms Incremental Update

[The Game 161]

A14 and A14X will be the first 5nm chips on the planet. That's going to be a massive performance-per-watt jump. I think it's going to be around 2.2X the speed of their respective predecessors.

Sure it will be a great chip but the average person won’t see major differences...mini led screen would mean more to me personally.

 

[jjudson]

Here’s my list, I’ve probably missed something:

• A12Z: GPU upgrade (meh but sure why not)
• 64—>128GB base storage
• 4GB—>6GB RAM (128/256/512GB)
• single—>dual camera
• LiDAR scanner
• Five “studio quality” microphones
• “Enhanced thermal architecture”
• WiFi 6
• U1 chip—ultra wideband

• A12Z: GPU upgrade (meh but sure why not) - definitely meh
• 64—>128GB base storage - who buys base on a Pro unit?
• 4GB—>6GB RAM (128/256/512GB) - screamed about for years, could have used more
• single—>dual camera - USELESS on an iPad
• LiDAR scanner - USELESS on an iPad
• Five “studio quality” microphones - as a musician, this is a vaporous term
• “Enhanced thermal architecture” - okay, but never had a problem with this
• WiFi 6 - someday a good feature
• U1 chip—ultra wideband - nothing really to support it yet, and some scary privacy concern potential

These features as a whole have some usage potential, but as a new iPad Pro release list? They all could have waited until a more full-featured, needle-moving redesign. This unit as a special release is embarrassing and Apple could have done better — or waited all together. With these and durability not even being addressed at all, I’ll hang onto my Gen 2 for a bit longer to see what’s coming.

 

[0924487]

Sure it will be a great chip but the average person won’t see major differences...mini led screen would mean more to me personally.

I agree, however, please see my other post for why you may want to care about that more than you would think. Click on the "go to post" arrow to see the other half of the answer that I quoted. Note that it's in a different thread, and also an interesting one on this issue.

I would like to add that, careful Apple buyers care about the product lifecycle and its valuation. Apple practice planned obsolesce, therefore, for a given CPU architecture or RAM configuration, from its inception, optimization, discontinuation, extended support, and finally included in the vintage list, is inevitable.

If you buy an iPhone 5 just days before the iPhone 5S launch, then even if the difference isn't major, years later, you will realize the difference when upgrading iOS. Newer features require this and that that you don't have in your devices, like Bluetooth LE, or 64-bit processors.

*It doesn't matter how performant a chip is today, what matters is where the chip is with respect to its product lifecycle.*

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I highly doubt we'll see such a leap.

I think it will have a massive jump in single-core speed, around 1.6-1.8X, and contain a lot more cores and threads for the X variant. Partly, it is to prepare for the Mac transition.

In other words, I am guessing, for A14, the multi-core performance will be around 1.6X improvements. For A14X, the multi-cure performance would be around 2.3X.

For graphics, I am guessing, around 1.6-2.5X.

 

[The Game 161]

• A12Z: GPU upgrade (meh but sure why not) - definitely meh
• 64—>128GB base storage - who buys base on a Pro unit?
• 4GB—>6GB RAM (128/256/512GB) - screamed about for years, could have used more
• single—>dual camera - USELESS on an iPad
• LiDAR scanner - USELESS on an iPad
• Five “studio quality” microphones - as a musician, this is a vaporous term
• “Enhanced thermal architecture” - okay, but never had a problem with this
• WiFi 6 - someday a good feature
• U1 chip—ultra wideband - nothing really to support it yet, and some scary privacy concern potential

These features as a whole have some usage potential, but as a new iPad Pro release list? They all could have waited until a more full-featured, needle-moving redesign. This unit as a special release is embarrassing and Apple could have done better — or waited all together. With these and durability not even being addressed at all, I’ll hang onto my Gen 2 for a bit longer to see what’s coming.

I bought the 128GB model as that’d the perfect size for me....whats the point of buying higher storage and paying more just for the sake of it?

64GB is certainly not enough but 256GB is too much where i would have so much spare....think you will find 128GB is the sweet spot for many people. Even on the iphone many are forced to buy the 256GB model as 64GB wasn’t seen as enough...when the iPhone 12 pro comes in 128GB I fully expect that to be the most popular storage model.

out of 128GB I’m using only 25GB on my iPad...so yes 128GB clearly makes the most sense when we have cloud storage for photos. I have about 115GB worth of films but there’s no need to have that downloaded on my device when i go on a plane 1-2 a year tops. The rest can be used via data.

 

[I7guy]

I agree with you but this is not an update. The only difference is the camera. Everything else is the same. Chip is old, structure is weak (for me) so I am not giving Apple my money for this.

Same type of thinking with hardware that Apple releases...everyone views their list of important items differently and whether or not this is an upgrade or update. This to me is a nice spec bump, but I’m not in the market as I just bought a 7th gen and it suits my needs.

 

[chucker23n1]

I think it will have a massive jump in single-core speed, around 1.6-1.8X, and contain a lot more cores and threads for the X variant.

They can put more cores in, but 8 is already close to what mainstream usage can make good use of.

 

[Tech198]

Apple sure likes their adhesive, i guess we know what the future will hold..

If we asked Apple if they would cut back on this stuff, there would be unanimous "NO"

 

[ingambe]

I bought the 128GB model as that’d the perfect size for me....whats the point of buying higher storage and paying more just for the sake of it?

64GB is certainly not enough but 256GB is too much where i would have so much spare....think you will find 128GB is the sweet spot for many people. Even on the iphone many are forced to buy the 256GB model as 64GB wasn’t seen as enough...when the iPhone 12 pro comes in 128GB I fully expect that to be the most popular storage model.

out of 128GB I’m using only 25GB on my iPad...so yes 128GB clearly makes the most sense when we have cloud storage for photos. I have about 115GB worth of films but there’s no need to have that downloaded on my device when i go on a plane 1-2 a year tops. The rest can be used via data.

I agree 100%
for 3€ per months I have 200GB secured cloud storage, no risk to lose my data
I keep only the necessary on my iPad and the rest on the cloud
google photos even save my photo for free in HD, so it’s more than 328GB for me

 

[Unregistered 4U]

(other than those carried by Moses perhaps)

Apply enough heat, though.....

There have been side by side audio recordings by many of the unboxers, and MKBHD, with no detectable audio or phonically detectable difference.

I heard a difference. Primarily, less background noise, so it’s a cleaner recording.

it’s for those below the 2018 model that would see more of the performance upgrades

Yeah, it‘s like “Hey, you, the person that was in the market for an iPad Pro. Ummm, while you held off wondering whether or not to click the button, we added some stuff. No biggy really and don’t worry, we didn’t raise the cost. Hope that’s not a problem!”

Anyone who called you an “imaginationless cynical hater”

I googled that just now and literally only found this thread. I mean, like, never used ever before on any site indexed by google... including not previously on macrumors.

 

[Falhófnir]

My guess is that the 5th gen will be announced in November, and will release a couple weeks before Christmas 2020. The current Covid-19 drain on the economy is going to push companies to do stuff to tickle the bottom dollar, and Apple is not immune from that core operational requirements driven by profit and shareholders. We will see another iPad Pro or otherwise this year.

The only model that will be releasing later this year per credible rumours is a high end (read more expensive) 12.9" model. So yeah, if you're looking at the 512/1TB 12.9" currently and want to wait, that's probably sensible. If you're looking at an 11" or base model 12.9" really no reason to wait, it looks like it's going to be at least 12 months before those get the A14X and mini LED update.

 

[Aluminum213]

Two years later and this isn't even a update, still an A12 chip? LOL


The Magic Keyboard is what the 2020 update really is
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It is an incremental upgrade, but it also introduces new hardware - Lidar lasers. Cameras are also improved and internal GPU got upgraded and RAM added. It might be not big upgrade for those who have 2018 models - for sure- but for people like me (I am still with Pro 9.7 inch first gen) - thats a big jump.

who asked for Lidar lasers?

 

[chucker23n1]

who asked for Lidar lasers?

People who wanted to see improved ARKit.

 

[fbr$]

I would like to add that, careful Apple buyers care about the product lifecycle and its valuation. Apple practice planned obsolesce, therefore, for a given CPU architecture or RAM configuration, from its inception, optimization, discontinuation, extended support, and finally included in the vintage list, is inevitable.

If you buy an iPhone 5 just days before the iPhone 5S launch, then even if the difference isn't major, years later, you will realize the difference when upgrading iOS. Newer features require this and that that you don't have in your devices, like Bluetooth LE, or 64-bit processors.

*It doesn't matter how performant a chip is today, what matters is where the chip is with respect to its product lifecycle.*

Perfectly said!

 

[Aluminum213]

People who wanted to see improved ARKit.

All 10 of them I’m sure

 

[chucker23n1]

All 10 of them I’m sure

Not everything is for you or about you, Karen.

 

[fbr$]

• 64—>128GB base storage - who buys base on a Pro unit?

Why not?

1) It has a USB-C port to connect an external pen-drive!

2) The "Pro" name on it is just marketing! It's just an iPad like any other iPad!

 

[chucker23n1]

who buys base on a Pro unit?

Most? BTO upgrades are the exception, not the norm.

I feel like you're giving a laundry list of rationalizing why you don't like this product, but, really, nobody is putting a gun to your head. Just don't buy it.

These features as a whole have some usage potential, but as a new iPad Pro release list? They all could have waited until a more full-featured, needle-moving redesign.

But… why? When these were ready today?

 

[Falhófnir]

A14 and A14X will be the first 5nm chips on the planet. That's going to be a massive performance-per-watt jump. I think it's going to be around 2.2X the speed of their respective predecessors.

Personally I don't expect that much, the A13 over the A11 is only about 1.45x (in both single and multi core) and that's also a 2 gen leap with a node shrink from 10nm to 7nm. I've read a bit of chatter that this is meant to be one of the bigger jumps we've seen in recent years, but I wouldn't expect more than about a 30-40% increase over the A13 at best. Optimistically the A14X might just manage to get a 50% plus boost over the A12X, I wouldn't rule that sort of significant increase out, but I wouldn't expect it to even get close to 2x as powerful.

 

[chucker23n1]

Personally I don't expect that much, the A13 over the A11 is only about 1.45x (in both single and multi core) and that's also a 2 gen leap with a node shrink from 10nm to 7nm. I've read a bit of chatter that this is meant to be one of the bigger jumps we've seen in recent years, but I wouldn't expect more than about a 30-40% increase over the A13 at best. Optimistically the A14X might just manage to get a 50% plus boost over the A12X, I wouldn't rule that sort of significant increase out, but I wouldn't expect it to even get close to 2x as powerful.

Yup.

Setting the expectation of a 2.2x boost is just setting yourself up for disappointment. It's neither very likely, nor is it needed.

 

[0924487]

Personally I don't expect that much, the A13 over the A11 is only about 1.45x (in both single and multi core) and that's also a 2 gen leap with a node shrink from 10nm to 7nm. I've read a bit of chatter that this is meant to be one of the bigger jumps we've seen in recent years, but I wouldn't expect more than about a 30-40% increase over the A13 at best. Optimistically the A14X might just manage to get a 50% plus boost over the A12X, I wouldn't rule that sort of significant increase out, but I wouldn't expect it to even get close to 2x as powerful.

I believe Apple will increase the TDP this time as well. The hint is newer thermal design in this geeneration. Apple is also going to get A14 generation of chips into one of the Macs next year. Performance is going to be forte this year for sure.

 

[falainber]

People who wanted to see improved ARKit.

And who is that? AR is quickly turning into 3D TVs. It will probably fare better because there are some real use cases for it. The better approach would probably be to leave this stuff for specialized devices and not to keep throwing a kitchen sink at the mainstream devices which 90% of people will use for Facebook, internet browsing and Netflix.

 

[0924487]

They can put more cores in, but 8 is already close to what mainstream usage can make good use of.

what are the keywords for iPad Pro in the next little while?

• creators
• pro
• AR
• desktop-class
• ML
• universal apps

and my speculation on the next big thing for iPadOS is for programmers, compiler support for all major languages, Terminal app, and Xcode for iPadOS, etc.

 

[chucker23n1]

And who is that?

Not many!

AR is quickly turning into 3D TVs. It will probably fare better because there are some real use cases for it. The better approach would probably be to leave this stuff for specialized devices and not to keep throwing a kitchen sink at the mainstream devices which 90% of people will use for Facebook, internet browsing and Netflix.

The iPad Pro is not a "mainstream device which 90% of people will use for Facebook, internet browsing and Netflix", though. The iPad already exists for that (and the Air, and the mini).

what are the keywords for iPad Pro in the next little while?

• creators
• pro
• AR
• desktop-class
• ML
• universal apps

and my speculation on the next big thing for iPadOS is for programmers, compiler support for all major languages, Terminal app, and Xcode for iPadOS, etc.

Maybe. It would fit the idea that they'll move the Pro even further upmarket.

 

[Falhófnir]

I believe Apple will increase the TDP this time as well. The hint is newer thermal design in this geeneration. Apple is also going to get A14 generation of chips into one of the Macs next year. Performance is going to be forte this year for sure.

I don't really know how much scope they have, according to AnandTech's Review the A13 already peaks at up to 6W draw which is quite a lot in a tiny phone chassis! On the iPad side, maybe if they can find a way of dissipating heat more efficiently (new materials/ heat sink etc). The key thing they have to do is make sure it can effectively sustain it's performance, without having to throttle to cool off. Drawing more power and running at a higher clock will both generate more heat. Being able to reach super clock speeds to give performance a kick is no good in a device like this if it can't sustain it long. Yes 5nm will help with this to an extent, boosting IPC from fitting more transistors on the dye but I don't think that's going to be a magic key to unlocking 2x+ performance gains at this stage.

 

[falainber]

what are the keywords for iPad Pro in the next little while?

• creators
• pro
• AR
• desktop-class
• ML
• universal apps

and my speculation on the next big thing for iPadOS is for programmers, compiler support for all major languages, Terminal app, and Xcode for iPadOS, etc.

The last time I did coding on a 12 inch display was about 40 years ago (DEC VT100 terminal). I feel really confused when I see people who want to do it again. My current setup has a 38 inch display which roughly has 9x area of the largest iPad.