9.7-inch iPad Pro and iPhone SE Both Have 2GB RAM

[capathy21]

Every time I read something about "poor specs" referred to Apple I just laugh loudly. The A serie SoC still infesting the nightmare of Samsung and Qualcomm, unable to design something comparable....

Exactly. How many times have I been swindled by an android device simply because of the specs, only to get a crappy user experience? I tried the note 5 and it was Samsung's best phone to date but was still a laggy mess after using it for a few days. 4gb of ram and it still can't perform near as smooth as the 6s plus with 2gb of ram. Battery life was less than half of an iPhone 6s Plus, and while better, Touchwiz is still garbage.

Specs only go so far. Software plays a huge part and while android is getting better, it still lacks in the most important areas. Security, battery life, and stability.

It's the same with the tablets. While the tab s2 was nice, it's performance was meh compared to the iPad Air 2 and battery life? Terrible in comparison.

When you combine that with the fact that there is nothing that comes close to Apple's integration between devices, you realize that Apple still has the best user experience, and it's not even close. They had the best experience 5 years ago, and they have it now.

So to me, it doesn't really matter if they skimp on the ram on this device, or they cut a corner elsewhere, they know they offer the best user experience and that's why people like me are going to buy it regardless, and still get a better experience with less ram, etc than the competition.

Would it be nice for Apple to give a base iPhone 32gb of storage, or every iPad 4gb of ram, every Mac 8gb, and a Retina display in the MBA? Sure, but they are under no obligation to do so. Consumers vote with their wallets and when 70 percent of the phones I sell as a wireless manager are 16gb iPhones, and 9 out of 10 laptops in my local Starbucks are MacBook Air's, why would they change what already sells like hot cakes?

They are a corporation, beholden to the shareholders. Just like Starbucks charges 6 bucks for a drink that cost 50 cents to make, they are there to make a profit, period. Is it morally sound? That's an entirely different discussion. But it really gets old hearing about how Apple execs are just a bunch of "Bean counters" or how it all went downhill with Tim Cook at the helm. Newsflash, It was the exact same way under Jobs. Apple has never been about value, or competiting on price. Jobs just had a charismatic way of hiding it. Apple's obsession with thin and light, soldering parts, and making aesthetically pleasing devices WAS THE VISION OF STEVE JOBS! Nothing has changed other than now they don't have Steve to deliver the message.

The experience is everything and in my opinion, no other user experience compares with Apple devices.

 

[azentropy]

Was hoping to wake up this AM and read that the reporting of the new 9.7" iPad Pro having just 2gb of RAM was a mistake..

 

[dBeats]

Right. With this mentality you'd be buying every product first then complaining why it sucks when you use it. There are reasons for benchmarks and spec sheets. So educated buyers will know what they are paying for.

Nope, I would buy products from companies that focus on user experience...and dump those that don't. That's why I've been an Apple user for 20 years.

 

[ZebraDude]

This Article was very timely for me! I was trying to decide on the 12.9 Pro or the 9.7 Pro and the RAM issue pushed me towards the 12.9. I have no plans to use the "Pro" features "are there any?" and grabbed an open box 32GIG at BestBuy for $636.00.

 

[Radon87000]

Exactly. How many times have I been swindled by an android device simply because of the specs, only to get a crappy user experience? I tried the note 5 and it was Samsung's best phone to date but was still a laggy mess after using it for a few days. 4gb of ram and it still can't perform near as smooth as the 6s plus with 2gb of ram. Battery life was less than half of an iPhone 6s Plus, and while better, Touchwiz is still garbage.

Specs only go so far. Software plays a huge part and while android is getting better, it still lacks in the most important areas. Security, battery life, and stability.

It's the same with the tablets. While the tab s2 was nice, it's performance was meh compared to the iPad Air 2 and battery life? Terrible in comparison.

When you combine that with the fact that there is nothing that comes close to Apple's integration between devices, you realize that Apple still has the best user experience, and it's not even close. They had the best experience 5 years ago, and they have it now.

So to me, it doesn't really matter if they skimp on the ram on this device, or they cut a corner elsewhere, they know they offer the best user experience and that's why people like me are going to buy it regardless, and still get a better experience with less ram, etc than the competition.

Would it be nice for Apple to give a base iPhone 32gb of storage, or every iPad 4gb of ram, every Mac 8gb, and a Retina display in the MBA? Sure, but they are under no obligation to do so. Consumers vote with their wallets and when 70 percent of the phones I sell as a wireless manager are 16gb iPhones, and 9 out of 10 laptops in my local Starbucks are MacBook Air's, why would they change what already sells like hot cakes?

They are a corporation, beholden to the shareholders. Just like Starbucks charges 6 bucks for a drink that cost 50 cents to make, they are there to make a profit, period. Is it morally sound? That's an entirely different discussion. But it really gets old hearing about how Apple execs are just a bunch of "Bean counters" or how it all went downhill with Tim Cook at the helm. Newsflash, It was the exact same way under Jobs. Apple has never been about value, or competiting on price. Jobs just had a charismatic way of hiding it. Apple's obsession with thin and light, soldering parts, and making aesthetically pleasing devices WAS THE VISION OF STEVE JOBS! Nothing has changed other than now they don't have Steve to deliver the message.

The experience is everything and in my opinion, no other user experience compares with Apple devices.

Again the Samsung Galaxies destroy the ipad and iPhone when it comes to displays

BTW was the battery case the vision of Steve Jobs too?

 

[Max(IT)]

Says who?Android Marshmallow runs perfectly on my Nexus 7 with 2 gigs of ram.Stock Android is actually pretty light on resources

The Nexus 7 ( I own one since launch) is a joke of a tablet....

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 destroys the Surface and iPad when it comes to display as it's a superior OLED technology

lol, maybe in your dreams....

Tab S2 is just on par with competitors (from almost 2 years ago in the case of iPad Air 2....).
Your assumption about the OLED being superior by definition is just plain wrong:

My only complaint is that the iPad Air 2 with its AR coating tends to be a bit more usable outside and in other scenarios where there are heavy reflections

The Mini 4 is even better, still using an LCD IPS

You were proven wrong multiple times, but still worshipping Samsung on an Apple centric forum...

From a tablet perspective it's even superior to the Surfface and iPad once it gets Android N because it supports pip and split view and slide in on ALL apps unlike on iPad which needs specific optimisation to support this feature while Windows lacks tablet friendly apps.The Galaxy Tab S2 combines the best of both the world's and is easily one of the best tablets around

Android on tablet world is just irrelevant...

Actually my Air 2 with 2 gigs of RAM shows stutters while iPad pro does not so you are incorrect.

And most of the iPad Air 2 users don't....
Strangely enough your idevices seem to be always worse than other's...

We aren't haters but rather customers who own both Samsung and Apple and just stating facts

Sure....

 

[loopmein]

I have owned iPhones since the original back in 2007. I love Apple, or at least I used to. But I'm absolutely SICK of paying such high prices for such awful devices. Yes, awful. I'm sick and tired of seeing Apple put out devices that would have been considered a mid range Android device a year ago.

When Apple stops trying to rip people off with such blatantly awful devices, maybe iPad sales won't be so awful. Apple devices have a few advantages, such as good customer service and prompt software updates, but NONE of these fixed the iPad 3 becoming ridiculously slow after only a year because of awful specs. That seems to have become the norm for Apple, release devices with poor & uncompetitive specs so that when it becomes slow in a year people will upgrade.

My Nexus 5X is an amazing phone and I paid less than $300 for it. Display is every bit as good as the 6S plus, and it comes with MORE storage (32GB vs Apple's ridiculous 16GB). Yet Apple seems to be stuck in 2011 and is STILL puking out 16GB devices. Unbelievable.

Remind us why you're here, apart from to tell us how awful Apple products are? You're becoming a little repetitive, and a bit of a negative Nancy.
[doublepost=1458744999][/doublepost]I see Google and Samsung have deployed the Android shills in growing numbers.

 

[StyxMaker]

Yea but your mini works flawlessly with pip slide over and split view?

Pip and slide over both work great. The screen is too small for side by side.

 

[DNichter]

In my experience absolutely NOT.
iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPad Air working FLAWLESSLY with iOS 9.3 and they all have 1 Gb of RAM.

iDevice introduced 1 Gb of RAM with the iPhone 5 in 2012 with iOS 6.
They are still enough after 4 years and 4 iOS releases.
2 Gb of RAM introduced on the iPad Air 2 in 2014 with iOS 8.1. iPhone first introduced 2 Gb with the 6S in 2015 with iOS 9. No reason to believe 2 Gb won't be enough after 2 years.... absolutely no reasons.

Where did you read about performance similar to iPad Air 2 ? No one did an extensive review yet, but based on the iPad Pro performance (the 9.7" is just slightly under clocked) the difference is notable.

In response to both. I do believe that 9.3 has improved performance. I think the Plus was the main culprit having issues, but that seems to be smoothed out now. In regards to performance, I think it was the Ars article about spending a day with the new pro where they said they couldn't discern a huge improvement in performance and it basically felt the same as an Air 2. Which would make sense as I remember a lot of people saying the same thing about the 12.9. Fast, yes absolutely, but maybe not a HUGE difference from the Air 2. Either way, after going back and forth, I will likely upgrade either way. Disposable income and wanting the latest and greatest is my weakness.

 

[macfacts]

... I tried the note 5 and it was Samsung's best phone to date but was still a laggy mess after using it for a few days. 4gb of ram and it still can't perform near as smooth as the 6s plus with 2gb of ram. Battery life was less than half of an iPhone 6s Plus, and while better, Touchwiz is still garbage....

Takes less than 1 minute to download Google's Launcher from the play store, no need to use Touchwiz launcher. There have been alternative launchers for Android for years, no root needed to install them. The only reason iOS lags less is because everyone turns off all background refreshes and cause iOS restricts background apps (the reason ios apps play silent music).

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

I'm not talking about iPad specifically but about Apple in general, iPhone 6s vs Galaxy s7 for example. I want the best hardware AND the best user experience, that's why it's more expensive than anyone else. The S7 in a pair of months will retail for 65% the original price. The iPhone didn't. I don't care if android uses more ram, I want the same or more ram than the S7, the same or better screen, the same or better battery life. I'm not a conformist fool, not when paying premium. The optimization and crap sentences are just excuses for bean counting.

As I said many times before, when the iPod was released people were using 650 Mb Cds. They didn't sell a 500 mb iPod with "better user experience", nor an 1Gb iPod. They sold a 10Gb model. Everything else: pure propaganda for taking a pair of bucks here and there. That, and the mighty 1st gen iPhone hardware built this brand as it's today. If you sell worse and worse hardware to more and more people, you simply destroy the brand. No one could have said then "the iPod is an overpriced toy", because it wasn't. It was an expensive toy, not overpriced, because it was over the top hardware, the same happened with the first iphones. Nowadays Apple is selling a lot of: a) old crappy hardware at premium prices (macbook air, mac mini, thunderbolt display...), all of these are just embarrasing. B) overpriced toys


Come on, how can you sell a 1366x768 pixels notebook with 4gbs ram 128ssd and 2 cores intel for 1000 euros in 2016, this is just a joke. A 27'' 2k display for 1150 euros. A flagship iPhone in 2015 with 16gb storage and 1Gb ram for 750-850 euros. A flagship iPhone in 2016 with 16gb storage. It's ridiculous. The iPod from 2002 had more available storage than the flagship 2016 iPhone, then, when there were no videos, let alone 2k, let alone 4k.

Sorry dude, maybe the iPhone isn't for you. They aren't making phone that is the highest spec thing out there. They're making one that appeals to the most users. And it's worked well. But for those that want to be all about specs rather than real-life performance, you should look elsewhere than Apple as that's never been their thing.
[doublepost=1458746827][/doublepost]

It's not about spec, it's the fact that they are ripping you off. Something you expect it should exist in a car in 2016 doesn't exist is the problem. I don't care if they have better memory management in IOS, you should get what you pay for, especially elsewhere are offering similar product at a lower price with better spec and similar user experience (see Nexus). On top of that, if they named it as Pro, price it as a Pro, they better give something that is inline with what people expect as a Pro tablet. Even the entry level iphone SE have the same memory size of the "Pro", hello? Anyone will expect to buy a Lexus without power steering and no AC?

Pro is marketing. You fell for marketing. Air was marketing too. It's a new name given to an upgrade to a product to make you feel it's better.

If you don't really believe that the new iPad offers something above that of the previous iPad then don't buy it. Seems the mass majority of people out there do believe it's a great update and they're going to sell millions of them.

 

[Michael Goff]

Says who?Android Marshmallow runs perfectly on my Nexus 7 with 2 gigs of ram.Stock Android is actually pretty light on resources



The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 destroys the Surface and iPad when it comes to display as it's a superior OLED technology

From a tablet perspective it's even superior to the Surfface and iPad once it gets Android N because it supports pip and split view and slide in on ALL apps unlike on iPad which needs specific optimisation to support this feature while Windows lacks tablet friendly apps.The Galaxy Tab S2 combines the best of both the world's and is easily one of the best tablets around



Actually my Air 2 with 2 gigs of RAM shows stutters while iPad pro does not so you are incorrect.

We aren't haters but rather customers who own both Samsung and Apple and just stating facts

I can only go from my experiences with Lollipop and below. So maybe MM fixed it?

 

[stulaw11]

Anyone directly comparing specs needed to run Android to the iPad have NO CLUE what they're talking about to begin with. It's just spouting crap from the get go.

This is like saying just because 2 cars are 500hp that they should be equally fast. Well no, not if one is 3,000 pounds (iOS) and one is 4,000 pounds (Android). You can't just directly compare one number without more.

Android NEEDS a lot more resources and memory just to run near comparable to iOS. And that's IF you can even got on near the newest OS with performance updates at that. It's what? 2% of devices or less on 6.0?

3gb RAM on an Android device DOES NOT MEAN that it runs near as smooth or good an experience as 2gb RAM on an iOS device. Unless you just COMPLETELY negate the OS architecture; which then makes no sense to begin with to even discuss.

 

[DNichter]

I lied. I just bought the 12.9 iPad Pro 128GB from Staples for $799. Figured for $50 more than the 9.7, this was a good deal right now. Hopefully I am okay with the size.

 

[macfacts]

A lot of people seem to be thinking current apps run ok with 2gb, so no problem. Problem is Apple just fragmented iOS devices, software developers for iOS will now have to make pro apps that run on the lowest common denominator, 2gb ios devices.

 

[stulaw11]

A lot of people seem to be thinking current apps run ok with 2gb, so no problem. Problem is Apple just fragmented iOS devices, software developers for iOS will now have to make pro apps that run on the lowest common denominator, 2gb ios devices.

Why would you want devs to build apps anywhere near the max to begin with? That leaves no room for multitasking etc.

I get your point, but smaller is better. Limit them to 1gb no matter what and it's safe.

 

[4kfirmware]

But the iPhone SE has an amazing 4k camera....look....

 

[Max(IT)]

In response to both. I do believe that 9.3 has improved performance. I think the Plus was the main culprit having issues, but that seems to be smoothed out now. In regards to performance, I think it was the Ars article about spending a day with the new pro where they said they couldn't discern a huge improvement in performance and it basically felt the same as an Air 2. Which would make sense as I remember a lot of people saying the same thing about the 12.9. Fast, yes absolutely, but maybe not a HUGE difference from the Air 2. Either way, after going back and forth, I will likely upgrade either way. Disposable income and wanting the latest and greatest is my weakness.

The iPad Air 2 still is a very good tablet, so something even better is good in my opinion.
Keyboard and Pencil support are a plus for some users.
All in all I consider this as a very good upgrade... I'm only complaining about Apple price policy outside US: every product is priced 100-120€ more than it should be
[doublepost=1458750582][/doublepost]

A lot of people seem to be thinking current apps run ok with 2gb, so no problem. Problem is Apple just fragmented iOS devices, software developers for iOS will now have to make pro apps that run on the lowest common denominator, 2gb ios devices.

Fragmentation in iOS environment exists only in hater's eyes...
Every single app in the store works on every device supported by the current iOS version. Every single app on every single device.
I'd be happy if developers would target 2 Gb devices, because as of today all the apps run on 1 Gb devices, flawlessly.
THIS. IS. NOT. ANDROID.

 

[jonnysods]

That is one powerful little phone. Wonder what the battery life would be like? I guess it's thicker and has a smaller screen.

 

[jamesrick80]

Exactly. How many times have I been swindled by an android device simply because of the specs, only to get a crappy user experience? I tried the note 5 and it was Samsung's best phone to date but was still a laggy mess after using it for a few days. 4gb of ram and it still can't perform near as smooth as the 6s plus with 2gb of ram. Battery life was less than half of an iPhone 6s Plus, and while better, Touchwiz is still garbage.

Specs only go so far. Software plays a huge part and while android is getting better, it still lacks in the most important areas. Security, battery life, and stability.

It's the same with the tablets. While the tab s2 was nice, it's performance was meh compared to the iPad Air 2 and battery life? Terrible in comparison.



The experience is everything and in my opinion, no other user experience compares with Apple devices.

Of course apples latest devices are minimally smoother than android at least the latest iPads are. I get lag on the iPhone 6s Plus often but not my iPad pro although at times I have seen lag in even this device. I don't think any device is totally free of lag, try loading a very large webpage in safari or one of those improperly coded websites that freeze safari. Samsungs latest devices are smooth enough and the experience is great, my galaxy s6 edge plus and my tab S2 provide a great experience and the file manager is so helpful. When it comes to downloading video, android is the best since it's pretty much open to anything. At this point., I don't see a major difference in smoothness among the two operating systems but I wish android did have some nicer apps but the S2 4:3 format similar to the iPad's makes it a much better experience than the past.

 

[Max(IT)]

Takes less than 1 minute to download Google's Launcher from the play store, no need to use Touchwiz launcher. There have been alternative launchers for Android for years, no root needed to install them. The only reason iOS lags less is because everyone turns off all background refreshes and cause iOS restricts background apps (the reason ios apps play silent music).

Touchwiz isn't just a launcher. If you use another launcher, part of it will run ABOVE Touchwiz anyway...
Samsung's devices remain bloated nevertheless...

I can only go from my experiences with Lollipop and below. So maybe MM fixed it?

Nope.
But let them pretend it is... Until Android 7.0 will be released and the old adagio will start again: now android is better.

I lied. I just bought the 12.9 iPad Pro 128GB from Staples for $799. Figured for $50 more than the 9.7, this was a good deal right now. Hopefully I am okay with the size.

Good deal, if you can accept the size.

 

[Dranix]

We are focusing on how things work. My worst upgrade was going from my fast 32-bit iPhone 5 to a my craptastic iPhone 6 plus that was laggy as hell. I ended up upgrading a year early (I usually avoid S releases) to go a 6S plus with a proper 2gb of ram. My 6+ had to reload pages much more frequently than my old 5. My iPad mini 2 is relegated to toddler duty as it's way too slow for me now due to it's gimped 1 gb of ram with iOS 9.

I get your analogy of a lower hp car being fun as I used to drive a S2000. But there's no joy in the 'feel' of an outdated computing device vs a raw car like the S2000/Miata.


You know some people think a Prius is fast after all....

Laggy 6+? Mine still runs like a charm...

 

[TroyBoy30]

Easy solution: switch platform and be happy.
I'm under the slightly "impression" you already switched platform and your motivations here are different....


Every time I read something about "poor specs" referred to Apple I just laugh loudly. The A serie SoC still infesting the nightmare of Samsung and Qualcomm, unable to design something comparable....


Your Nexus 5X is a cheap Android phone i wouldn't get even for free.
TBH it's better than most of the Android devices out there, because it's a Nexus. But still not comparable to an iPhone.


Correct. I agree.


You are a typical Android user. Good for you. Move on.
Keep speaking about numbers... the same amount of RAM speaking about Android have no sense.
iPad Pro, even with "only" 2 Gb of RAM, is by far the best tablet out there, second only to its bigger sibling.


indeed.
This forum is well known for a resident community of haters.
No problem, we are accustomed to them.


They like to drool on specs list...
I don't really care.

so much wrong with this post. stock android is right there with ios. the only thing lacking is some of the apps are not the same quality. there are also plenty of great android tablets. the nexus 7 is a great tablet

 

[stulaw11]

so much wrong with this post. stock android is right there with ios. the only thing lacking is some of the apps are not the same quality. there are also plenty of great android tablets. the nexus 7 is a great tablet

It's close but getting stock Android is far and few between, basically Nexus devices so you're still stuck with 1 choice really.

And aren't apps like 1/2 or more of the experience to begin with? This is where Android is still severely lacking- quality mainly and some don't exist (although that number is much smaller than say 2-3 years ago as most major apps release for both markets)

 

[jedifaka]

While I admire your enthusiasm, your facts are demonstrably wrong.

"Surface Pro 3 Intel Atom" is something you just made up. They don't make a SP3 with an Atom processor.

First, Windows uses FAR more RAM to run just about anything than an iOS device. That alone would not make a product "pro". But for sake of argument, let's take a look at the processor speed which WOULD be a measure of professional performance.

The Surface "Pro" 3 using an Intel Atom x7 processor clocked at 1.6 GHz. The iPad Pro has an A9X clocked at 2.5 GHz. Now, clock speed is not the measure of a processor's performance alone. But look at these GeekBench results:

Surface Pro 3 Intel Atom x7-Z8700 1.6 Ghz: Single Core: 950* Multi Code: 3200*
iPad Pro A9X at 2.5 GHz: Single Core: 3250* Multi Core: 5500*

Just in Geekbench scores alone, this more than THREE TIMES faster at single core tasks and almost twice as fast at multi core. The Surface Pro being called a "Pro" machine is a joke with an Atom processor that belongs in a Netbook. The reason the iPad Pro is given a "Pro" moniker is because it's basically as fast as my late 2013 MacbookPro with 8 GB of RAM. Think about that for a second. By next year, the A10 will be as fast as Macbook Pro levels.

That's why it's a "Pro" device. I'm not even touching graphics performance.

* Eyeball Average