iPad Pro 9.7 32GB Cellular vs iPad Pro 10.5 64GB WIFI

[MW23]

I’m buying an iPad Pro soon and I have it between the 9.7 32 GB Cellular and the 10.5 GB WiFi. I can get the 9.7 for $429 and the 10.5 for $499. Historically I have always bought a generation behind because I’m frugal and held on to them close to EOL 3-4 years.

With the 9.7, I like that it has Cellular, the Smart Keyboard is available for about $75 on the secondary market and the total package cost will be a lot less.

On the 10.5, I like the screen, and the potential of powerful unit that can handle a lot of my computing tasks. But know that the smart keyboard will cost 2 times the 9.7.

I plan to do some photo editing on it with raw files. I’m not a professional photographer, but am a avid prosumer with my Canon setup. Light video editing. Use the pencil for note taking and some drawing.

My questions are, is the Cellular really a feature that is useful? I like the idea of having it connected to my Verizon account for convenience, but at $10 per month and the ability to use my iPhone 7 to act as a hotspot really worth it?

Is the Smart Keyboard really that great or will a Logitech Bluetooth K480 serve me better at a lower cost while having greater functionality with its Shortcut Keys?

Is the performance that much better on the 10.5 where I will really notice a difference with my intended uses?

Is the 32GB going to be that limiting if I plan to use a cloud drive vs the 64GB?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[yasineris]

I suggest the 10.5 one as it has 4GB of RAM instead of 2GB of RAM on the 9.7 one.

 

[Woodstockie]

I bought a used the cellular 9.7 Pro 128GB with Smart keyboard knowingly that a new iPad pro was coming, but was also frugal, but my setup is completely fine for what I use it for.

Seeing what your needs are and what you have available, I would suggest the 10.5. The 64GB storage will work much better for your photo hobby. Other arguments towards the 10.5 is, just like Yasineris is mentioning above, the 10.5 has 4GB Ram, you can use your phone for tethering and you just get an overall more updated machine. $499 is a good price for the 10.5.

 

[mk313]

I just bought an iPad Pro 9.7, specifically because it still allows Microsoft Office document editing without a monthly subscription, which the 10.5 does not, but as mentioned above the 10.5 has the 4 gigs of Ram. If you're trying to get the most bang for your buck, and can already use your phone for a hotspot, I'd go with the 10.5 inch, as the 4 gig machines should last longer (with usable performance levels). At some point iOS and apps will start to demand more memory, and having the extra memory will help when that happens. Also, this is completely subjective, but I found that my 32 gig iPad (an older one) was the absolute smallest I could use, but it caused issues with downloading movies, etc as it filled up pretty quickly. 64 gigs gives you that extra buffer of space that in my use case was noticable.

One other thing, I forgot to mention, the cell versions do include GPS, which the wifi versions don't. I doubt that's a deal breaker, but in case that was important to you.

 

[TinyChip]

For your photo hobby alone, you’ll benefit from 4gb RAM and 64gb storage. Plus, your drawing/coloring will benefit from the Pro-motion display. I wouldn’t let the pricey Smart Keyboard get in the way of being satisfied with purchasing the 10.5 iPP.

 

[ActionableMango]

I switched from LTE to using my iPhone's hotspot.

The hotspot is super irritating because it is constantly disconnecting. I think it is an overly aggressive battery saving feature.

 

[MW23]

Thanks for the replies. I’m leaning towards the 10.5, but just trying to rationalize the higher expense. I almost feel the 9.7 Pro does not have a high enough spec bump to warrant it over a regular 2017 iPad that can be had now for $270. I also want the pencil, but I don’t know how much i’ll use it for a $100 accessory.

 

[wpalomine]

I switched to a 10.5 WiFi 64GB + Smart Keyboard from a Air 2 Cellular 128 - cellular iPads for the past 5 years.
Quite happy with the change.

I don’t mind tethering because both my phone and iPad are on the same iCloud account. Therefore I just go to the WiFi settings and select my iPhone as the connection. Then turn off WiFi when I’m done.

 

[MW23]

I think I’m going to rule out the Cellular 9.7 Pro because I will be tempted to spend $10 a month for connecting to my Verizon account. That will save money and I can tether when needed.

I’m just trying to think of the pencil is more gimmicky or useful. Because I may consider the 2017 model at these low prices.