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Comparison: What are the differences between the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch model?

Screen Shot 2016-03-21 at 4.07.58 PM

As expected, Apple earlier today officially unveiled the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. While the device is essentially the same as the larger 12.9-inch model, there are a few notable differences that may perhaps frustrate users of the larger model, but also encourage iPad Air 2 users to upgrade. Read on as we break down all of the differences between the two models…

Camera

Arguably the most notable differences between the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro are the camera specifications. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro has a 12MP rear-facing iSight camera, while the larger iPad Pro model has an 8MP iSight camera. For the smaller model of the two, however, this difference comes with one downside: it has the dreaded camera bump on the back, much like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s.

Furthermore, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro features an f/2.2 aperture and support for 63MP panoramas, while the larger model features an f/2.4 aperture and support for 43MP panoramas. The smaller model also has True Tone flash (an iPad first), which offers a mix of both white and amber LEDs to improve white balance.

Last but not least, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro includes support for Live Photos, while the larger model does not. Apple also says the smaller model offers “improved local tone mapping and improved noise reduction,” while the larger model does not.

In terms of the front-facing FaceTime camera, the smaller 9.7-inch model again has the upper hand. The device offers a 5MP camera with support for Retina Flash, while the 12.9-inch model comes with a 1.2MP camera and no Retina Flash.

Screen Shot 2016-03-21 at 3.50.32 PM

As for video capabilities, the 9.7-inch model is capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames-per-second and slow-mo video at 120 fps 1080p and 240 fps in 720p, while the 12.9-inch model is limited to 1080p videos at 30 fps and slow-mo at 720p at 120 fps. Finally, Apple says the 9.7-inch model supports “cinematic video stabilization,” while the 12.9-inch variant does not.

Battery

While the two iPad Pro models feature different sized batteries, Apple says that they should both get the same total life. The 9.7-inch model features a 27.5-watt-hour battery, while the larger model features a 38.5-watt-hour battery. Both models should get 10 hours of web use (9 hours on the LTE mode) out of a charge. The biggest connotation here, however, is that the 9.7-inch model should take less time to charge compared to the 12.9-inch model.

Design

Screen Shot 2016-03-21 at 3.52.10 PM

Given the screen size differences, these discrepancies should be expected, but they are still worth noting. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro comes in at 0.96 pounds, while the 12.9-inch comes in at 1.57 pounds. That’s a pretty notable difference, but it’s the tradeoff for a more compact design versus a larger screen.

Furthermore, the 9.7-inch model 6.1mm thick, while the 12.9-inch model is 6.9mm thick. As I mentioned earlier, however, this means that the smaller model has the infamous camera bump on the back like the recent iPhones.

Always-on “Hey Siri”

One of the weirder differences between the two iPad Pro models is that the smaller model supports always on “Hey Siri,” while the larger model does not. The 12.9-inch variant only supports “Hey Siri” when the device is plugged in to a power source.

This is an odd decision on Apple’s part, as both of the devices feature the same A9X chip and M9 coprocessor.

Screen

Aside from the obvious difference in size, there are a few differences between the two iPad Pro variants. Most notably the iPad Pro 9.7-inch is the first Apple product to include what it is calling a True Tone display. Apple says that this means the display automatically adjusts color temperature based on the room environment.

Additionally, Apple says that the 9.7-inch iPad Pro features the “lowest reflectivity of any tablet,” referring to the reflectivity of the device’s display. Apple also says the display is 25 percent brighter than that of the iPad Air 2.

Finally, Apple says that the 9.7-inch iPad Pro features a wide color display, which essentially means that it features RGB primaries expanded to the edge of the color gamut.

Embedded SIM/LTE Improvements

The 9.7-inch iPad Pro is the first iPad to support something called LTE Advanced. Essentially, this means that the smaller iPad Pro supports up to 50 percent faster cellular connectivity than the 12.9-inch model does.

Building on this, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro model features an embedded Apple SIM, which is a first for the company. Apple touts that this will make it even easier to connect to wireless data plans seamlessly as you travel between countries and territories and switch carriers.

iPad Pro

The cellular band on the LTE models has also been redesigned on the smaller iPad Pro. The new design resembles cellular bands on iPhones rather than full plastic strips along the top.

Variants

Finally, there are some slight differences in terms of the variants in which the two models are offered. The iPad Pro 9.7-inch is available in an additional Rose Gold color, as well as a 32GB model with LTE. The full breakdown is below:

iPad Pro 9.7-inch 

  • Cellular
    • 32GB
    • 128GB
    • 256GB
  • Wi-Fi
    • 32GB
    • 128GB
    • 256GB

iPad Pro 12.9-inch

  • Cellular
    • 128GB
    • 256GB
  • Wi-Fi
    • 32GB
    • 128GB
    • 256GB

Wrap-up

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Some people have argued that, given the price difference and “Pro” moniker, there’s no reason the smaller of the two iPad Pro variants should have a leg up in terms of features and capabilities, but that’s exactly the case. Obviously some of the features may be trivial on the larger display, such as the camera differences, but the display differences for instance, are more notable.

It could be that, even with the price difference as is, adding the new display technology to the 12.9-inch model would have simply been too expensive compared to the 9.7-inch model. Nevertheless, it’s likely that the display differences will likely be erased if Apple updates the iPad Pro 12.9-inch later this year, which it is expected to do.

Let us know in the comments if the price difference between the model and feature gap still makes the 12.9-inch iPad Pro worth it, or if you’d rather go with the 9.7-inch.

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Comments

  1. Joel Pederson - 8 years ago

    I’m looking to upgrade from an iPad 2. Honestly, if you don’t plan on using an Apple Pencil I can’t see a reason to buy an iPad pro 9.7 over the price reduced iPad Air 2.

    • Well, if you don’t ever plan on using the Apple Keyboard or Apple Pencil AND you do not want faster/stronger connectivity, better battery, better camera, and the ability to do more, then I would say that your choice makes sense.

      • Joel Pederson - 8 years ago

        yeah none of that is really significant enough to justify a $200 price jump.

      • Joel Pederson - 8 years ago

        Also battery is the same (browsing time), wifi is same, resolution is the same, only difference is processor, screen gimmicks, 4 speakers and cameras.

    • applegetridofsimandjack - 8 years ago

      I think the ram has also been doubled. And I don’t know about you but ram was the reason for upgrading my iPad 4 to iPad Air 2. It made a massive difference. And the 4GB of ram in the Pro is a very welcome upgrade.

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      4 Speakers, better display and better FaceTime camera are nice and really about the only upgrades that would make me inclined at all to update from an Air 2 to this new 9.7″ model.

      MY AT&T next plan is up in June for my Air 2. Im debating upgrading to the 9.7″ Pro or waiting for the next 12.9″ model.

  2. Stevie Gee - 8 years ago

    So in a little over 4 months, Apple has dumped on their early adopter iPad Pro base, just as they did with the iPad 3.

    • focher - 8 years ago

      I have an iPad Pro 12.9 and don’t feel dumped on. I have a 12.9 inch screen instead of 9.7 – well, I have that too because I have an Air 2.

    • PMZanetti - 8 years ago

      Had they updated the 12.9″ iPad Pro today, you’d be correct, but they didn’t, so you’re not.

      • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

        Did update, by adding another storage tier.

    • twelve01 - 8 years ago

      Newer products often include added features, and the differences here are not drastic. Realize that any time you purchase something, there is the likely risk that something newer, better is a few months around the corner.

    • Mike Reynolds - 8 years ago

      Just like Samsung released a new phone and tablet every few months for the last several years, like Dell releasing updated laptops every 6 months, just like Toyota adds a new feature to their camry each year, Like Maytag updates its washing machine occasionally, McDonalds adds a new item to the menu, I can go on and on. Companies CANNOT set on their thumb for years on 1 product, or else they’ll go out of business.

      • PhilBoogie - 8 years ago

        +1

        And in other news, Apple kept the 30-pin connector for their iOS devices for over 9 years. Just so people wouldn’t have to buy new accessories every time the connector was changed.

  3. all i have to say is to you guys who bought the ipad pro in october it sucks to be you

    • Max Justin - 8 years ago

      You are missing some information. On the apple.com iPad comparison page, the 12.9 inch is shown to have better both CPU and Graphic performance. The A9x in the 9.7 inch is definitely Downclocked. example.

      Posted for 12.9 inch:
      A9X third-generation chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture
      Compared to A7:
      CPU: 2.5x faster
      Graphics: 5x faster

      posted for 9.7 inch:
      A9X third-generation chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture
      Compared to A7:
      CPU: 2.4x faster
      Graphics: 4.3x fast

    • J.latham - 8 years ago

      Oddly enough, it sucks to be anyone who wants a larger iPad Pro. I just bought mine and yeah it sucks something bad to have the new model be that much better for spec sake but both the real thing I took away from today was if you want a larger display get ready to take some lower specs.
      In most cases the 9.7 inch pro is better then the still current 12 inch model and the iPhone SE is better then the 6 (not 6s).

      • Patrick O'Frani - 8 years ago

        My mom bought an iPad Pro 128Gb just last week! I did not know anything about Apple’s upcoming announcement so I’m relieved to hear that they have not updated it otherwise I’m gonna be telling my mom to return hers!
        She wanted the bigger size so the new 9.7″ won’t matter. Phew!

    • Real Apple Nerd - 8 years ago

      The large screen is well worth the “pains” of being an early adopter. I was a little disappointed to hear the 9.7″ will have a better screen technology, but I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference anyway.

  4. Nice comparison. You have made me actually consider the 9.7″ model. Looks like the husband is getting my iPad Air 2 sooner than I thought. Now, do I need the 12.9″ or the 9.7″? Time to venture to the Apple Store to see which is more palatable outside of theory.

  5. Kevin Labranche - 8 years ago

    The 9.7 inches iPad Pro does not hold the value it is priced at in my opinion. I can understand Apple trying to make the iPad lineup feel like a replacement for a laptop. The MacBook and Macbook Pro could be an example. By making the iPad lineup sounds like the MacBook lineup, I would not be surprised if more people that are not following the tech world, not really educated in the manner or just Mister Everybody would in fact start seeing the lineup as an equivalent MacBook. The fact is iPad revenue is down and Apple is trying anything to turn around the numbers in my opinions. Some analysts say that the iPhone as reached a peak growth and we must not forget that they run iOS and they are Apple’s biggest revenue. Introducing new and more “WOW” iPad might make the ecosystem even more attractive by giving the customers an interesting and viable way to merge almost perfectly the two devices. Touting productivity and PC replacement alone could create small revenue boost and promote even further iOS.

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

      part of why iPad sales were down is because they didn’t refresh the 9.7 iPad last quarter and there was a lot of rumors about the larger screen model. At the end of next Sept quarter (Apple’s end of fiscal year) we’ll see what the current iPad sales actually are.

      For some companies, they are replacing desktops/laptops with iPads. If you look at the hotel market, there are many large hotel chains that are ditching windows based desktops for iPads. Marriott’s is one of them and that’s one of the largest hotel chains in the world. Many large hospitals have also been handing out iPads to nurses, admin, and doctors where they typically used a desktop or laptop. There are other businesses that are also replacing desktops with iPads. Retail stores is another market that’s replacing traditional desktop cash register systems with iPads. It’s still very much in it’s infancy, but it’s still happening. Airlines have been handing out iPads to the Pilots/Co-pilots but they are replacing paper flight manuals, etc, so in that case they aren’t replacing a computer, they are just using IPads to replace a paper manual. Barclay’s Bank handed out a bunch of iPads a few years ago, and they were replacing traditional computers. So, if you really look into many industries, iPads have been replacing older desktops/laptops. A casual user doesn’t necessarily NEED a traditional computer, and some specific businesses don’t need them either. Things are changing and the advent of iPads and IPhones (mobile devices in general) have been replacing the traditional computer model.

      Some analysts aren’t always right either. Apple may have reached a peak last December quarter, but you have to understand the dynamics of smartphone sales in general. I personally think that Apple will have an increase in sales, but it may happen in steps that are over the course of two years, rather than yearly. I just think the iPhone 6S wasn’t enough to get a big enough user base to upgrade, but I believe the iPhone 7 will. I think this new model will attracts a fair amount of sales from the standpoint that it’s cheaper and there is a significant amount of people that still prefer the smaller screen. Overall sales, with the new model will help Apple have a year to year increase, how much I have no idea, but I believe they will get a little jump in sales during the 6 months when they typically have a slowing down until the new higher end models is released in Sept.

      • cdm283813 - 8 years ago

        A refreshed more expensive 9.7″ model will not help Apple in tablet sales either. I have a 64GB LTE iPad Air 2 and just to get to a similar tier I’m looking at around $829 plus $100 for the mandatory pen purchase. Not worth the price over my iPad Air 2.
        And if Apple decides to put more features into the iPhone 7 Plus “Pro” vs the smaller models they basically force me into that model. Another reason why I may ditch the iPad altogether. I really don’t know if Apple understands product overlap.

  6. beyondthetech - 8 years ago

    It should be noted that the 12.9″ iPad Pro did NOT and still does NOT support T-Mobile’s latest 700MHz Band 12, but the new 9.7″ iPad Pro does.

  7. pdoobs - 8 years ago

    i’m really trying to encourage my almost six year olds favorite hobby of drawing/sketching. anyone have experience with that age range and using the apple pencil? i have a crappy stylus on my air 2 that he’s used but he prefers the control he has with normal pencils.

    i know it’s an expensive item for a 5-6 year old to use but he’s been around them his whole life and has never come close to breaking anything but my classic 80’s toys… also the amount of paper and color pencils my son goes through on a daily basis starts to add up…

    • applegetridofsimandjack - 8 years ago

      Your boy will be watching porn instead of drawing. Not bashing the iPad, that’s just how we are.

      • Aunty T (@AuntyTroll) - 8 years ago

        What type of comment is that you weirdo? How you can equate someone making a genuine comment about a FIVE YEAR OLD BOY drawing and sketching to watching porn because he is male?

        You’ve got issues pal – get yourself to the shrinks.

    • bibliomom (@cslaird) - 8 years ago

      The new pencil is truly amazing – enough to convince me to buy the 12″ for my teen 1) We’re extended visiting my terminally ill father and 2) he loves to draw and is interested in a digital arts career. The large format tablet is perfect for his drawing, since it’s the size of a large sketchbook and he’s basically assembling a digital portfolio. The keyboard is surprisingly good, so he works on his homework offline at the house (Pages) or online at the library the next town over. So homework gets done, art gets done, and I don’t have ten thousand sheets of loose paper all over. It’s such a pleasure to use, his sister and cousin both snatch it the second he drops it, and I think we’ve already sold one to an older cousin who is a semi-serious (and very non-technical/non-mac) art dabbler, solely on the strength of the pencil. Definitely go into a store and try one – the 12″ is huge and unwieldy, and the pencil is heavier than you might think. My son spent almost an hour drawing at the Apple store before I pried him off of it, but I think he would have had a hard time using the pencil at 5. And unless you really love the large format for drawing (and I don’t regret it at all) I’d look at the 9″. Think small sketch book vs. large sketchbook. My moose of a son can juggle a 12″ in the car or on the couch, but my more petite daughter mostly just uses it at the table. Personally, I’m considering the 9″ – I love, love, love, the size of my 9″ nexus and the corresponding keyboard, but I think the iPad Pro does it better, and I draw enough to want the pencil. But then again, I also like smaller sketchpads.

      Having said that, I don’t understand why anyone who didn’t draw, didn’t need a non-bt keyboard, or didn’t really want a giant display would even consider the Pro. Feeling ripped off because you just wanted higher specs and now it’s available smaller? Seriously? The Pro is all about the pencil and too many people think it’s a fancy stylus. That’s like saying iPhone’s a fancy flip phone – it’s a totally different beast. It really does behave like a real pencil: very delicately pressure sensitive, can be angled for shading, etc., etc. I really hope the new pencil ups the game for the rest of the tablet market and the new keyboard design kills off bt keyboards forever, but if you aren’t sold on those things, the Pro is not the iPad you’re looking for. (Having said that, my husband bought the 12″ and loves it for document annotation and photo manipulation, but he’s a 1 in 10,000 large screen junkie with giant gorilla hands.)

  8. applegetridofsimandjack - 8 years ago

    The 256GB option is totally bonkers. But over expensive I should say as well.

    • mad1at35 - 8 years ago

      Maybe not so bonkers as it first sounds. 256GB is still fairly small by laptop standards (albeit flash not HD), but I think the most important thing to consider is that iOS 10 may get more productivity features such as a local file system extension of iCloud Drive hence extra storage will be essential if your a photographer, a designer or a video / sound editor, or a big HD movie watcher who doesn’t want to use up their data plan.

  9. minieggseater - 8 years ago

    Ipad pro vs nacbook would be sn interestjng comparison. Apart from xcode dev i would think they have quite similar uses ?

  10. PMZanetti - 8 years ago

    The only thing that bothers me is Always On Hey Siri not being available on the 12.9″ iPad Pro. That really seems like a screw job.

  11. Doug Aalseth - 8 years ago

    So it has everything the big one has, and better, and the downside is a camera bump, and a smaller screen the size of the one I have now? For me, I don’t see a downside frankly.

    • GJ K Nilsen (@GJNilsen) - 8 years ago

      The bump is really a big downside. Or underside. Downside on the underside. Well, the fucking thing will wobble when you draw on it. At least until you get an iTable with an iHole in it for the iBump.

      • xp84 - 8 years ago

        Is it that unconscionable to buy literally any case in order to solve that problem? Good grief, the things some people find to be mad about.

      • Doug Aalseth - 8 years ago

        That would be true if you lay it flat on the table to draw. I draw a fair amount own my iPad and I always have it tipped up. The case has a stand and I often lean the case on something else so it’s at ~45 degrees or so. I don’t see the bump causing any problem at all. But then I never understood the hullaballoo about the bump on the iPhone either.

      • furutan - 8 years ago

        Although it is far from optimal, stick-on feet are available in hardware stores – both felt and plastic – usually sold on a peel-and-stick card. This can level out the camera bump. I would imagine that shells are also available.

  12. appleguy72 - 8 years ago

    Why is the iPad Air 2 & the iPad mini 4 the same price of $399!? When the iPad Air 2 has a bigger screen and a faster processor for the same price?! This makes no sense!!

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      With the Air 2 at this price having a mini model does not make sense anymore to me.

      • appleguy72 - 8 years ago

        I couldn’t agree more. It makes no sense why they priced it like that.

    • Brett O'Donnell - 8 years ago

      Not sure what they were thinking there… When I saw the iPad line-up in the Keynote I thought that the Mini 2 had been discontinued and the Mini 4 price was reduced to $269 (which would be a really sweet deal!)

      • appleguy72 - 8 years ago

        that’s exactly what I thought, too! I was so excited until I found out that they didn’t touch the mini prices at all, of course. Which then made me pissed. That’s what they should have done!

      • cdm283813 - 8 years ago

        I was thinking the same as I checked Apples website. Another bad move by Apple. I would have bought a iPad mini 4 at $269. But as it stands the iPad Air 2 is a better option if you’re in the market.

  13. leehardacre - 8 years ago

    Cannot fathom why my original Pro can’t support Live Photos and ‘Hey Siri’. Makes no sense whatsoever.

    • Matthew Gonzales Landry - 8 years ago

      You should also not be able to fathom why we can’t have a basic white flash coming out of our retina displays for photos taken with the FaceTime camera.

  14. Kyle Fender - 8 years ago

    So I bought an iPad Pro a couple months ago, and now they release a smaller model with more features. Ok, maybe a smaller iPad is easier to take photos with. But why does the larger model get a bad front facing camera? And why does the larger model not get always on Hey Siri if it has exactly the same processor? Apple, I love the iPad Pro 12.9″ that I have. But how can you make the smaller model better in so many ways? This is a giant smack in the face to those who wer really excited and bought the larger iPad Pro. From what I can see, the smaller 9.7″ model is better in every way, except in screen size. Really how I see it, you can’t call them both iPad Pro when you make a bigger model have noticeably worse specs. Huge slap in the face Apple. Also, I noticed the cellular models of the 9.7″ model conceal the antenna much better. Looks a lot nicer. I am a fan of the iPad Pro, but this is nonsense.

    • leehardacre - 8 years ago

      If iOS 10 doesn’t bring additional features to the 12.9″ then I’ll be pissed. The huge waste of screen estate is a must fix. This was either a huge oversight or a foresight for talking time when announcing iOS 10.

      I can handle the 9.7″ having a better camera but when it comes to the software, my iPad Pro Premium best excel.

  15. Charlypollo - 8 years ago

    This new ipad will definitely cannibalize the larger ipad. Same power, better cameras,more portability? Count me in. Time to upgrade my Ipad 4.

  16. Odys (@twittester10) - 8 years ago

    Apple’s product line ups get more confusing with each passing year. This demonstrates non-clarity of thought on how to position each device. Whats worse it creates confusion for buyers. With “just works” mantra Apple seemingly made “just buy” impossible with all various aspects to consider. I understand to bring price points for as many customers as possible, but I think it turns people off needing to consider what is missing at each price point.

  17. Michael (@M_Racz) - 8 years ago

    I just cant justify the price point on the pro…I mean ios is still so limited on ipad. So it really does not matter what the specs are or if you slap a “Pro” label on it.

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      They all say iPad on the back.

      The 9.7″ iPads have always had weird naming schemes. I don’t see Apple making an iPad Air 3 and this as just the newest update of 9.7″ iPad and not a Pro.

  18. furutan - 8 years ago

    So it looks like a lower-reflectivity display is once again a good thing. I’ve spent years looking at my reflection in Mac screens (having to fight with trying to color correct art that mixed in reflective colors – a huge pain for pros) and yearning for the good old days when the screens had an anti-glare coating (which the industry had considered to be a very good thing for the preceding twenty-five years). Frankly, if I were a whole lot better looking I wouldn’t mind so much.

  19. That true tone display with increased color gamut is the only thing I’m really jealous about and I’m sure they will add it to the next 13″ iPad Pro.
    The camera bump is unacceptable (though I miss the flash for scanning documents) and I would miss my more complete software keyboard.

  20. iali87 - 8 years ago

    I want one reason why this device cost $100 more? The name “pro”!

  21. GJ K Nilsen (@GJNilsen) - 8 years ago

    This is an impressive piece of kit, until you turn it around and take a look at the back. Put the thing flat on the table, and try to draw on it with the Apple pencil. You will swear each time the pencil slips when the stupid thing wobbles. And after a little while, you will throw it against the wall, take some of the shards, and cut out your eyes. Or take the shiny rose gold piece of crap to someone that can grind down that damn bump. I would never ever think I could say something negative about an Apple product. I got my first Mac in 1986, and have never gone over to the “dark side”. There is no reason whatsoever to make the iPad so thin it needs a protruding lense. It could be those couple of millimetres thicker, maybe giving us some more battery capacity or some other iGoodness, but instead, some one, in some studio, has an fetish for bumps. I dont get it. Only bumps I like are the goose bumps I get when someone goes down… well, forget about that. Bumps aint good. Its as simple as that. Hey Apple, listen, BUMPS ARE BAD!

  22. elme26bih - 8 years ago

    The iPad Pro 9,7″ is really nice. I’m not an iPad-type, I’m more an iMac-type. But the iPad Pros can definitely replace a desktop pc or notebook. iPad Pro + keyboard + Pencil = great!

  23. pdixon1986 - 8 years ago

    So basically the ipad pro they released before is already looking very outdated by it’s little sister — the camera specs etc were all available last year with the iphone 6S, so they could have included them with the ipad pro plus…

    It’s also very confusing… we had the ipad mini, ipad, ipad air… now we have the ipad pro in 2 sizes… do we call the big one “ipad pro plus” or do we call the smaller one “ipad pro normal”??? Currently they are both called ipad pro!!!

    I find it extremely funny that on Apples website they write “It puts incredible power that leaps past most portable PCs” — a portable PC technically includes laptops…so i wouldnt say it is leaps ahead – maybe on par… plus this is running a mobile operating system instead of a fully pledge desktop operating system.
    I really don’t think there is anything pro about them – they just wanted to rebrand the name to make it stand out more from the older ipads, and they didnt want it to seem like a refresh… but technically it is just a refresh with a higher price tag.
    For this to be truly pro and be compared with laptops, then they need either an iOS purposely built for the ipad to make it more functional and to stand out from the iphone – or they need it to dual boot with OSX — in OSX mode it could be used with the keyboard and a bluetooth mouse — sometimes using desktop software is preferred and needed – a tablet is not always best… it is also annoying to have a full version of a software on the mac and then have to purchase a downsized version for the ipad pro or use a simpler version that is cheaper but suitable for the basic ipad/iphone… it is not very practical for the work place and most people do not want to have to buy new software when their current software works fine…

    Apple also need to stop abusing the word “pro”.

  24. Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

    Am I to assume that it also has 4GB of RAM? Apple seemed to have left out that spec.

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      Apple always leaves ram out of the specs. At the 12.9″ iPad event they hinted at the ram by saying it had double the ram bandwidth of the iPad Air 2.

  25. Marie-Louise Overgaard - 8 years ago

    I am seriously considering upgrading from my iPad Air. I love the iPad Pencil, the keyboard is cool too, but you can just use a bluetooth keyboard with the other versions too.

  26. vdockhvan - 8 years ago

    Well. Since now on I’m thinking about purchasing iPad Pro.

  27. Robert Aldrich - 8 years ago

    So, what is this “embedded Apple SIM”? I travel internationally a lot and I am used to getting prepaid SIMs when I arrive in a new country. Does the “embedded SIM” mean that I cannot use a prepaid sim? Is the slot gone? If so, this sounds more like a way of forcing more money out of the customer. In countries such as Ukraine, I can get data SIMs for just a couple dollars.

  28. uniszuurmond - 8 years ago

    With the new iPad Pro 256GB including pencil and keyboard, I’m finally ready to replace our 6 year old MacBook and own an iPad for the first time.

  29. mytawalbeh - 8 years ago

    iPad Pro 9.7 is a very interesting device and the best iPad ever ,, I’m looking to upgrade.
    Is it true that the 12.9 has fast charging feature while the 9.7 doesn’t?

    • Lars Pallesen - 8 years ago

      No, it’s actually the other way around; the 9.7 charges faster than the 12.9 iPad. So just go get that new sexy iPad Pro 9.7 :-)

      • andy o (@ao9news) - 8 years ago

        The 12.9-inch supports 29W charging through USB Power Delivery, like with a MacBook or Chromebook Pixel charger, and no doubt many upcoming USB-PD chargers. Anker send to have a multiport one in the pipeline. It was known from before that it was capable, but the feature just got unlocked with the release of the USB-C to Lightning cable.

      • andy o (@ao9news) - 8 years ago

        Anker *seems

  30. beyondthetech - 8 years ago

    The 12.9″ iPad Pro supports USB 3.0 speeds and fast charging if you get the new USB-C to Lightning cable.

    The new 9.7″ iPad Pro is surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) only USB 2.0.

  31. cdm283813 - 8 years ago

    Nice way to kill the larger iPad Pro.

  32. Izaac Post (@izaacpost) - 8 years ago

    I’m very curious. In the US, the official apple online store has both the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 4 at the same $399 price point. Only the vey old iPad Mini 2 matches the price point pictured in this article. Is the iPad Mini 4 expected to see a price drop, or do they intend to keep the Air at the same price as the Mini? As a consumer, is there any benefit (other than increased portability) of buying a Mini over the Air now that there no longer is a price incentive?

  33. Call me lazy, but how about a table for easy comparison? I dont want to read an entire article when I could have a table/grid.

  34. scrappinobsession - 8 years ago

    I just this morning purchased the new iPad Pro. I am very excited for the speakers, The better camera etc. I got the 32 GB version as I have only ever had the 16 GB versions and it has always been enough.

    I am upgrading from the iPad air. I did not see the point in getting the air 2 and now I am glad I waited.

    I had zero interest in the large iPad Pro. I may buy the pencil but I can’t draw to save my life so perhaps not, LOL.

  35. Mary L Proctor - 7 years ago

    I am more convenienced that the 9.7 is the best option without the bulk of a larger and more heavy 12.9. At this time the difference in price is not worth upgrading to the 12,9 with less features.

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com