iPad Pro

The iPad Pro is the highest model iPad and features a family of devices with a 12.9" screen leading the family. This page covers the first three models, a 12.9" (2015), a 9.7" (2016) and a 10.5" (2017) model. A later model is described on iPad Pro 2018. For current models see iPad Pro 2020.

History

• The iPad Pro is a 12.9" was announced by Apple in Sept 9, 2015. Availability in November.
• The 9.7" iPad Pro was announced in March 2016 with availability at the end of that month.
• The 10.5" iPad Pro was announced June 5, 2017 as a replacement for the 9.7" also with an update to the 12.9" model. Both are designed to take advantage of the 11.0 iOS and newer iOS 12 features release schedule for the fall.
• The models on this page have been replaced with the iPad Pro 2020 models with a 12.9" and 11.0" model. The 10.5" has resurrected in the IPad Air 2019‎‎, which does not include all the features of the Pro.

Overview

• The width of the 12.9" iPad Pro screen is the same width as the height of the iPad 2018, or any iPad 9.7" screen. Thus 2 pages will fit on the larger model in landscape mode. iOS 9 and above has split screen support.
• 4 speaker audio that auto balances for rotation.
• full size on screen keyboard with optional hardware smart keyboard, connecting magnetically to the iPad.
• Apple pencil - touch pen available. touch, angle, and pressure sensitive screen. Pixel resolution.
• Windows office available.
• Adobe applications available like photoshop.
• Medical applications available.
• ProMotion support provides 120fps refresh for instant pen feedback.

The 12.9" iPad Pro starts at $799 for a Wi-Fi version with 32GB of memory, $949 for Wi-Fi with 128GB, and $1,079 for 128GB with Wi-Fi and cellular data.

The 10.5" iPad Pro starts at $649 for a Wi-Fi version with 64GB of memory

The 9.7" iPad Pro started at $599 for a 32GB version, $749 for 128GB, and $849 for 256 GB. The cellular version adds $129. The resolution is the same as the iPad Air 1 and 2. (All 9.7" iPads starting with the iPad 3 have the same retina display resolution) The iPad Air page shows a full comparison.

Accessories

The Apple pencil is $99 and the Smart Keyboard is $169. While any smart keyboard will work with any size iPad Pro there are a full size one for the 12.9". There are smaller keyboards for the 9.7" model and a slightly larger one to fit the 10.5". The 10.5" model has significantly larger keys and is easier to work with than the 9.7" was. The smart connector allows the keyboard to be powered from the Pro and data connects wirelessly.

See iPad accessories for more information.

2018 release

Both the current 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models will be replaced with redesigned versions that feature new flat aluminum edges, new antenna lines, new speaker placement, new button placements, Face ID instead of Touch ID, and supposedly a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port. The most noticeable change will be the new design on the front of each iPad, however. The home button is gone, the bezels are much narrower, and the screen takes up almost all of the face of each iPad Pro model. According to recent rumors, the new iPad Pro that replaces the 10.5-inch model will have an 11-inch screen. Announced on Oct 30, 2018. This is included for comparison purposes. The iPad Pro 2018 also has its own article.

The 11" unit has the following specifications:

• Liquid Retina display 11-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology
• 2388 x 1668-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi)
• ProMotion technology
• Wide color display (P3)
• True Tone display
• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
• Fully laminated display
• Antireflective coating with only 1.8% reflectivity
• 600 nits brightness
• CPU: A12X Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture Neural Engine Embedded M12 coprocessor
• Dimensions: 7.02" x 9.74" x 0.23" (178.5 mm x 247.6 mm 5.9 mm)
• Weight: Wi-Fi models 1.03 pounds (468 grams) Wi-Fi + Cellular models 1.03 pounds (468 grams)

The 12.9" has the same specifications except for the screen size which has 2732 x 2048-pixel at the same resolution of 264 pixels per inch (ppi) but not the same aspect ratio. Other differences include:

• Dimensions: 8.46" x 11.04" x 0.23" (214.9 mm x 280.6 mm x 5.9 mm)
• Weight: Wi-Fi models 1.39 pounds (631 grams) Wi-Fi + Cellular models 1.4 pounds (633 grams)

Specifications

• Dimensions:
  • 12.9" model 12" x 8.68" x .27" (305.7 x 220.6 x 6.9 mm)
  • 10.5" model 9.8" x 6.8" x .24" (250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm) - Side bezel 6 mm on each side.
  • 9.7" model 9.4" x 6.6" x .24" (240.0 x 169.5 x 6.1 mm) - Side bezel 1 cm on each side. (standard for all 9.7" devices)
• Weight:
  • 12.9" 1.49 lbs. (713 gr) Wi-Fi models, 1.53 lbs. (723 gr) Wi-Fi + Cellular model (revised 2017)
  • 10.5" 1.03 lbs. (469 gr) Wi-Fi models, 1.05 lbs. (477 gr) Wi-Fi + Cellular model
  • 9.7" 0.96 lbs. (437 gr) Wi-Fi models, 0.98 lbs. (444 gr) Wi-Fi + Cellular model
• Display
  • 12.9” Retina display, 2732 x 2048 at 264 ppi, aspect ratio 4:3, 5.6MP
  • 10.5" Retina display, 2224 x 1668 at 264 ppi, aspect ratio 4.3, 3.7MP
  • 9.7" Retina display, 2048 × 1536, at 264 aspect ratio 4:3, 3.1MP
  • LED-backlit Multi-Touch.
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
  • Fully laminated display with Antireflective coating
  • 9.7" model features Wide color display and True Tone display
  • 2017 models feature ProMotion technology Wide color P3 and True Tone display
• Computer: A9X chip with 64‑bit architecture with M9 motion coprocessor
  • 2017 models have A10X Fusion chip with M10 motion coprocessor.
• RAM: 12.9" 4GB, 9.7" 2GB ??
• Storage: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB (9.7 had a 32GB model and maxed at 256GB.)
• iSight Camera
  • 12MP iSight camera (update 2017)
  • Autofocus includes focus pixels (update)
  • 12.9" and 10.5" ƒ/1.8 aperture - 9.7" ƒ/2.2 aperture
  • true tone flash, live photos - 2017 models feature Quad-LED True Tone flash
  • Five-element lens, Six-element on 12.9" and 10.5"
  • Hybrid IR filter
  • Backside illumination sensor
  • Improved face detection, local tone mapping
  • Exposure control
  • Panorama (up to 63MP)
  • Burst mode
  • Tap to focus
  • Photo geotagging
  • Timer mode
  • HDR pictures - has auto mode.
  • Sapphire crystal lens cover
  • mapping
  • 2017 optical image stabilization - pictures and video
• Video Recording
  • 4K HD video recording (30 fps)
  • 1080p HD at 30 fps or 60 fps
  • Slo-mo (120 fps)
  • Time-lapse video
  • Video image stabilization
  • Improved face detection
  • 3x video zoom, 2017 feature 2x optical zoom
  • Video geotagging
• FaceTime HD Camera
  • 7-MP photos (9.7" has 5MP)
  • ƒ/2.2 aperture
  • 720p HD video recording, 2017 have 1080p.
  • Backside illumination
  • Auto HDR photos and videos
  • Improved face detection
  • Burst mode
  • Exposure control
  • Timer mode
  • Wide color capture for photos and live photos
• FaceTime Calling
  • FaceTime audio to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi‑Fi or cellular
  • FaceTime video to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi‑Fi or cellular
• Microphones
  • Dual microphones for calls, video recording, and audio recording
• Speakers: four speaker audio
• Cellular and Wireless
  • Wi-Fi models: Wi‑Fi (802.11a/​b/​g/​n/​ac); dual channel (2.4GHz and 5GHz); HT80 with MIMO (muliple Input multiple Output)
  • Bluetooth: 4.2 technology
• Wi-Fi + Cellular model adds:
  • UMTS/​HSPA/​HSPA+/​DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
  • CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz)
  • LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41)4 Data only
  • Includes Apple SIM — U.S. and UK only
  • 9.7" iPad Pro features LTE Advanced, enabling up to 50 percent faster cellular connections.
• Location data
  • Digital compass
  • Wi‑Fi
  • iBeacon microlocation
  • Wi-Fi + Cellular model adds Assisted GPS and GLONASS and Cellular
• Sensors
  • Touch ID
  • Three-axis gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Barometer
  • Ambient light sensor
• Touch ID
  • Unlock iPad
  • Secure personal data within apps
  • Make purchases from the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store
  • Apple Pay: Pay with your iPad using Touch ID in apps
• Siri
  • Use your voice to send messages, set reminders, and more
  • Use your iPad hands-free
  • Listen and identify songs
• Power and Battery
  • 12.9" Built-in 41-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery.
  • 10.5" has 30.4 watt-hour battery
  • 9.7" has 27.5-watt-hour battery with similar results.
  • Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music
  • Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system
  • Wi-Fi + Cellular model: Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network
• Environmental Requirements
  • Operating ambient temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
  • Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
  • Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
  • Operating altitude: tested up to 10,000 feet (3000 m)

iPad Pro 9.7" vs iPad Air 2

Extras in the iPad Pro 9.7" compared to the iPad Air 2

• wide color and tru tone color display
• faster CPU and graphics
  • A9X chip with 64‑bit architecture with M9 motion coprocessor on the iPad Pro 9.7"
• 12 megapixel rear camera with flash with focus pixel support vs. 8 MP.
  • ƒ/2.2 aperture vs. ƒ/2.4 aperture
• 4 speaker audio
• support for Apple Pencil and smart connector keyboard (non wireless)
• 256 GB available

Operating System

• iOS 9 which includes
  • AirDrop, AirPlay, AirPrint
  • Control Center, Notification Center
  • Siri
  • Spotlight Search
  • Apple Music with Family Sharing
  • iCloud Drive
  • Multitasking
  • QuickType Keyboard
• Built-in Apps: Less that 150 MB of storage.
  • Camera
  • Photos
  • Messages
  • FaceTime
  • Mail
  • Music
  • Safari
  • Maps
  • Siri
  • Calendar
  • iTunes Store
  • App Store
  • Notes
  • Contacts
  • iBooks
  • Game Center
  • Reminders
  • Clock
  • Videos
  • Photo Booth
  • Podcasts
  • News
  • Find My iPhone
  • Find My Friends
• Free Apps from Apple
  • Pages
  • Numbers
  • Keynote
  • iMovie
  • GarageBand
  • iTunes U
  • Apple Store
  • Trailers
  • Remote
• System Requirements
  • Apple ID (required for some features)
  • Internet access
• Syncing with iTunes on a Mac or PC requires:
  • Mac: OS X v10.7.5 or later
  • PC: Windows 7 or later
  • iTunes 12.3 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download)
• Languages: Same as iPhone 6S
• Audio Playback
  • Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
  • Audio formats supported: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
  • User-configurable maximum volume limit
• TV and Video
  • AirPlay Mirroring, photos, audio, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later)
  • Video mirroring and video out support: Up to 1080p through Lightning Digital AV HDMI Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter (adapters sold separately)
  • Video formats supported: H.264 video up to 1080p, 60 frames per second, High Profile level 5.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format
• Mail Attachment Support
• Viewable document types
  • .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key (Keynote); .numbers (Numbers); .pages (Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt (text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf (contact information); .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel); .zip; .ics

For more information

• http://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/