iPad Pro Pro 9.7 vs 2018

[Fufuflavor]

So the person who was suppose to sell me their 10.5 backed out and I can’t find another one cheap. So now I guess I’ll settle for 1 step below. If both the 2018 and 9.7 pro were the same price, which one would you get?

Also how much of an upgrade are those two over an Air 2?

 

[chikorita157]

I own an iPad Pro 9.7 128 GB with cellular with a Smart Keyboard and it's a better device than the iPad 2018 for around ($384 with everything). While I got a used model with a slightly worn battery, it's still a very capable device, especially under iOS 12 as it gets around 5200 in multi core for Geekbench 4, which is slightly slower. Keep in mind the iPad Pro 9.7 does have a faster GPU than the iPad 2018. Of course, the iPad Pro 9.7 has better speakers, smart connector, laminated display with P3 color gamut with True Tone and the iPhone 6S camera. The 2018 has a worse display and I can't stand the air gap, especially since my iPhone 8 has a laminated display.

The iPad Air 3 is just a bigger version of the iPad Pro 9.7 in a way, except that the camera is downgraded to 8 megapixels and no quad speakers. It still has true tone, P3 color gamut and smart connector.

 

[Fufuflavor]

I own an iPad Pro 9.7 128 GB with cellular with a Smart Keyboard and it's a better device than the iPad 2018 for around ($384 with everything). While I got a used model with a slightly worn battery, it's still a very capable device, especially under iOS 12 as it gets around 5200 in multi core for Geekbench 4, which is slightly slower. Keep in mind the iPad Pro 9.7 does have a faster GPU than the iPad 2018. Of course, the iPad Pro 9.7 has better speakers, smart connector, laminated display with P3 color gamut with True Tone and the iPhone 6S camera. The 2018 has a worse display and I can't stand the air gap, especially since my iPhone 8 has a laminated display.

The iPad Air 3 is just a bigger version of the iPad Pro 9.7 in a way, except that the camera is downgraded to 8 megapixels and no quad speakers. It still has true tone, P3 color gamut and smart connector.

What’s a good price for used pro 9.7? Found one for 250, I’m gonna try to talk them down to 200

 

[1BadManVan]

Gpu performance are nearly identical, the a10 cpu does win out over the a9x so I personally think the 2018 is a bit more future proof having the quad core cpu and same amount of ram.

 

[rui no onna]

2018 for battery life. The A9X uses more power than the A10 plus since the 2018 iPad 9.7 is newer, battery should have less wear as well.

Iirc, my launch date Pro 9.7 is at around 90% of original battery capacity or less (haven't checked in a while) and yep, I've needed to charge it more than usual. Heavy user here so that sometimes means mid-day coming from full charge—one of the reasons I keep multiple iPads.

 

[Fenhalls]

I bought my 256 GB 9.7 Pro new in the summer of 2017. I love it. If someone offered to swap it for a brand new 2018 with £100 thrown in for good measure, I wouldn't take it.

I have a 10.5 Pro (Apple refurb) arriving shortly. I still wouldn't dream of giving up my 9.7.

 

[Ladybug]

I bought my 256 GB 9.7 Pro new in the summer of 2017. I love it. If someone offered to swap it for a brand new 2018 with £100 thrown in for good measure, I wouldn't take it.

I have a 10.5 Pro (Apple refurb) arriving shortly. I still wouldn't dream of giving up my 9.7.

Interesting..I had a 9.7 Pro that died after my warranty expired. I replaced it with a 10.5 Pro however call it sentimental or whatever but I still miss that thing. The 10.5 is nice, it’s faster etc. but it just feels too heavy in landscape for my hand. I think it’s about balance perhaps. I'm getting a Mini 5 this week so that should rectify that issue.

 

[Fenhalls]

I'm getting a Mini 5 this week

Something else you and I have in common.

 

[TheRealAlex]

So the person who was suppose to sell me their 10.5 backed out and I can’t find another one cheap. So now I guess I’ll settle for 1 step below. If both the 2018 and 9.7 pro were the same price, which one would you get?

Also how much of an upgrade are those two over an Air 2?

I would love to have kept my 2016 9.7 Pro for many reasons. It was sturdy it was fast. It does everything there’s literally No benefit to having a 2018 iPad Pro 11. Maybe a touch of speed. And bragging rights. If I had it to do again I would have kept my 9.7 Pro.

Thing was Apple Store gave me $250 Trade in Credit and Bank of America gave me $250 if I spent $500 in my first 3 Months. So my 64GB 2018 IPad Pro 11” cost me $355 with tax. That helps me sleep at night.

 

[firewire9000]

So the person who was suppose to sell me their 10.5 backed out and I can’t find another one cheap. So now I guess I’ll settle for 1 step below. If both the 2018 and 9.7 pro were the same price, which one would you get?

Also how much of an upgrade are those two over an Air 2?

Pro 9,7 is a little upgrade over the Air 2, not worth it. If I had an Air 2 and the options were that two, I would keep my Air 2. I can’t stand non laminated screens like the 2018 has.

 

[spudWorks]

Pro 9,7 is a little upgrade over the Air 2, not worth it. If I had an Air 2 and the options were that two, I would keep my Air 2. I can’t stand non laminated screens like the 2018 has.

The 9.7 Pro could be a huge bump over the Air 2 if the Pencil and ASK are must-have features. I find the ASK to be necessary to make the iPad worth it at all but that's just me. But if someone doesn't require either, the Air 2 should hold up for a while without any problems.

I will say that I do think that the 9X chip is a little bit more than an "bump" though since I believe it's the first iPad chip that is Metal native and that might give it a little bit more longevity. But if the cost difference is more than $100 and, as I said, the ASK or Pencil are not must-haves but the desire for an iPad must be satisfied, then the Air 2 is a fine machine.

 

[TheRealAlex]

The 9.7 Pro could be a huge bump over the Air 2 if the Pencil and ASK are must-have features. I find the ASK to be necessary to make the iPad worth it at all but that's just me. But if someone doesn't require either, the Air 2 should hold up for a while without any problems.

I will say that I do think that the 9X chip is a little bit more than an "bump" though since I believe it's the first iPad chip that is Metal native and that might give it a little bit more longevity. But if the cost difference is more than $100 and, as I said, the ASK or Pencil are not must-haves but the desire for an iPad must be satisfied, then the Air 2 is a fine machine.

Yes the A9X is surprisingly a 2 Core CPU. Vs the A12X is a 8 Core CPU 4 Performance Cores and 4 Effcient Cores, which features HMP heterogeneous multiprocessing which means all 8 Cores can be use at once.

This video will help a lot.

 

[spudWorks]

Yes the A9X is surprisingly a 2 Core CPU. Vs the A12X is a 8 Core CPU 4 Performance Cores and 4 Effcient Cores, which features HMP heterogeneous multiprocessing which means all 8 Cores can be use at once.

This video will help a lot.

Yeah... sorry... i was trying to address whether the choice was between an Air 2 and a 9.7 Pro... Obviously the A12X is far superior but I don't think that's on the menu if the choice is between a 2018 iPad or the Air2 or 9.7" Pro.