Update: Apple has revealed iPadOS 14, its latest operating system for iPads. It explicitly confirmed that the iPad Pro 10.5 (2018) models will receive it. If you decide to purchase this tablet, you will be able to download the software once it is released in 2020. Visit our iPadOS 14 page to learn more.
Apple’s 2017 10.5-inch iPad Pro is a tablet that has everything. Apple’s top-of-the-line audio performance, the best mobile screen tech and all the power you can squeeze into a metal wall of a digital tablet.
This iPad Pro is the Apple device you should buy to replace your MacBook if you don’t want to spend a lot on a new MacBook.
Ironically, the iPad Pro’s price is comparable to the cost of a similar device when it comes with all the accessories.
- Apple iPad Pro 10.5 2017 (64GB Gold) on Amazon for US$779
Black Friday: iPad Pro
For Black Friday November 27, 2017, the 2017 iPad Pro may get a price drop. If you are looking for an older model of Apple’s top tablets, it might be worth waiting. You might get a discount on one of the older models. Check back here during the sale to find out.
The iPad Pro is an entertainment hub that can flip to be a mobile workstation – its strength is its ability to do many things well and in a small form. It is similar to the larger iPad Pro 112.9. The new software makes it more versatile than ever, even though you can upgrade it to iPadOS.
Manufacturers can’t do much to update tablets these days, other than increasing their specs. The use case for these devices has not changed much over the years. They are now able to be used as pseudo-tablets by adding a keyboard.
Apple has stuffed all its high-end specs into the iPad Pro. It is impressive, but will it impress customers enough to justify the higher price?
We’re going to find out.
We had issues in 2015 with switching apps and uploading photos to our content management system. The Apple Pencil was also useful in replacing a mouse. Will this year be any different?
iPad Pro 10.5 release date and price
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro’s price tag is unbeatable. The base model with no cellular data costs $649 / $AU979. This is if you want 64GB storage.
This will be fine for some users, but it is not affordable for many. The 256GB model costs PS709/ $749/AU$1129. If you want the 512GB model, the cost will go up to PS889/ $949/AU$1429. However, that’s still a reasonable price for someone who doesn’t require the security of half of a Terabyte.
This is a shocking price increase considering that the 2016 iPad Pro 9.7 was $599 / PS499 / AU$899. The screen size and technology have been upgraded, but it is still surprising that Apple is increasing the price. This is why Apple decided to discontinue the Pro-level 9.7 inch tablet from its stores.
- Our roundup of the lowest iPad Pro prices offers you a better deal.
The iPad Pro was released in June 2017. We have yet to see its price drop. It will drop once we learn more about the new iPad Pro (2018), which we expect to unveil on October 30.
The new iPad (2018) is a tablet that offers Pro-level features at a lower price. It also comes with an Apple Pencil stylus.
Design
The new iPad Pro will not be surprising to anyone who is familiar with iPads of any type. It has the same round metallic back as the iPad Pro (and there is no cut-out at top for antennas), and it weighs in at 469g.
The Smart Keyboard is attached to the iPad Pro, but it’s nearly impossible to see the tablet’s presence if it’s in a bag. It’s also a great tablet to keep for long periods of time.
It is slightly annoying that the camera at the back protrudes – one would think that a device of this size would have enough room to make it flush, but we can see that Apple chose the same sensor in the iPhone 7 as well.
This allows for more room for the speakers. They have large resonance chambers that amplify the sound coming from the iPad Pro. This tablet’s audio is simply amazing. We are so grateful that Apple did this.
It is perhaps a shame that 10.5-inch iPad Pro doesn’t have waterproof capabilities. Apple has demonstrated its ability to do so with the iPhone 7.
A tablet can be used safely in the bath or pool. However, waterproofing is not necessary for a phone. Its size makes it more susceptible to being accidentally dropped into water.
Although it seems redundant to speak about the tablet’s build quality, the premium Apple products receive does ensure that they are durable and comfortable in the hand.
The buttons feel good and travel well. Everything is easily found under the finger.
This device will cost you a lot, but it’s worth the investment for its build quality.
Screen
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro’s screen is among the best, thanks to its wider color gamut, brightness, and overall sharpness.
This is where Apple has made the most effort and it shows. You’ll be amazed at how fast the iPad Pro works under your finger and how small the bezel is when you first pick it up.
Apple has packed a lot into the screen to make the feature stand out… but it’s possible that it’s too much, considering the fact that the cost of the product has increased so significantly.
The screen is certainly better, but does it add enough value to the experience?
Although it is definitely an upgrade, you still feel that it is constrained in some way, since the 12.9-inch model seems so much larger.
Apple has made a smart move by adding 1668×2224 pixels to the display to compensate for the larger screen.
It can display HDR movies in full HDR resolution at 600 nits. This is a brighter display than any of the previous tablets. This is a fantastic thing in theory as it will make programming look great on the iPad.
This is a theory, but it has not been tested. YouTube content streaming hasn’t shown the full HDR effect and HDR-capable videos won’t transfer to the iPad.
As you can see, HDR content is not always easy to access. This is why the iPad Pro 10.5 inch isn’t fully usable.
It’s worth taking a closer look at ProMotion’s display technology, which Apple repeatedly highlighted during its launch and demonstrations.
The screen’s frame rate is dependent on the content being displayed. It will be 120 frames per second for scrolling or flipping through web pages, and will drop to 120 frames per second when showing static images to conserve battery.
You shouldn’t notice any difference in video playback.
It’s difficult to quantify the importance of this technology, especially from a visual perspective. We found it easier to scroll through the homepage, and animations between apps were clearer than ever. However, that may not be enough for many users.
We felt that the 10.5-inch iPad Pro was a more intuitive experience than the iPad Pro, both visually and in terms speed.
The refresh rate of previous iPads was not bad, and ProMotion technology basically saves battery… which isn’t really what you need for a tablet. Although it may have some effect if the iPad Pro is used daily, we didn’t notice any significant changes.
TrueTone displays are difficult to judge. It mimics lighting conditions by measuring the color of the object that is being illuminated. The screen will appear different outdoors and by lamplight.
TrueTone technology is easy to dismiss. But, until you disable it in the settings, then it can be. You’ll notice a real and pleasant difference when you use the iPad Pro by lamplight.
The screen quality is amazing in so many ways, but it remains to be questioned if it’s too much.
This tablet is a must-have for Apple fans who just want the best.
It’s easy to use in all environments thanks to its better colours and bright scenes. We don’t know if the increased frame rate is worth it, as some might not notice the difference.
