Apple iPad Pro 12.9
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“On paper, the iPad Pro 12.9 is no more than a larger iPad Pro 10.5, but in real-life it is quite a bit different in several aspects. The well-calibrated display with its exceptionally accurate color accuracy in particular was very impressive, the speakers are well-balanced, the Wi-Fi modem’s range is higher, and it lasts longer on battery to boot.”
“By all objective measures, the second-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro is one of the best-performing tablets we've ever crossed paths with. It combines a brilliant display, powerful number-crunching capabilities, speakers that are far better than those that have any right being on a tablet, and even a best-in-class camera to create one of the most well-balanced tablets we've reviewed.”
“The 12.9-inch iPad Pro makes a case for bigger truly being better, with its jaw-dropping display, fantastic performance and powerful sound. And it will be a heck of a lot more practical as a laptop replacement once iOS 11 is released. Unfortunately, it's facing two small hurdles: the lack of a touchpad and the weight of its price tag.”
“If you have the previous 12.9-inch iPad Pro, I won't tell you to upgrade now, but I will tell you to avoid looking at the new one. ProMotion is legit and combined with DCI-P3, True Tone, A10X, and the iPhone 7 camera, it's a big upgrade for creatives and productives alike.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Apple revolutionized the digital world with the iPhone and upped the ante with the release of the first iPad. It’s no surprise why they dominate the tablet market.
But for the past few years sales and demand have declined as phones have gotten larger…
They released the iPad Pro 12.9 back in 2015 to tap into a larger market—people who want a laptop replacement.
With the release of the 2017 iPad Pro 12.9, Apple hopes to bolster the original’s goal.
Does it work? Let’s see what reviewers are saying!
Not much has changed design-wise with the 2017 iPad Pro 12.9. Like its predecessor, this large tablet measures in at 12.04-by-8.69-by-0.27 inches.
As you would expect of something this size, it’s not meant for holding with one hand. While fairly light at 723 grams, once you add the Smart Keyboard, it ends up being heavier than the actual 12-inch MacBook at 1043 grams.
Coupled with the metal back and glass front, experts found it awkward to hold—even with two hands. They mention that it isn’t marketed towards the regular tablet user. Still, most found it portable enough and easy to use despite its gargantuan size.
The display helps to set the 2017 iPad Pro 12.9 apart from other tablets.
As the name suggests you get 12.9 inches of super high resolution (2732-by-2048), high-quality Apple display. It comes with new technology called ProMotion which uses a 120-hertz refresh rate. When tested, reviewers were impressed with smooth, fast scrolling compared to standard tablet displays.
They also raved about the vibrant colors, deep blacks and improved brightness. It even includes new TrueTone technology to adjust the white balance of the display to your room’s lighting.
Unfortunately, while it can now reach 600 nits of brightness, most reviewers don’t suggest it for reading outside on sunny days.
The biggest changes come internally.
The tablet includes an A10x Fusion chip and 4GB of RAM. Apple touts this combination to be 30 percent faster than the A9x.
Reviewer benchmark tests beat those marks. As expected, they experienced no lag even when they had over 20 apps open.
To run such a large tablet, Apple opted for a large battery than its predecessor. During tests, reviewers could get around 10-12 hours of life during medium usage.
Tablets have never been known for their cameras, but Apple looks to change that. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2017) includes the same 12MP camera sensor found on the iPhone 7—complete with optical image stabilization, 5x digital zoom and 4K video recording.
Reviewers were happy with the image quality of the pictures, though they add they won’t use it as a camera often due to the tablet’s large size.
Overall, reviewers consider the 2017 iPad Pro a credible laptop replacement thanks to its large screen, fast processor and excellent battery life. The biggest drawback mentioned is pricing.
Expert Reviews states, “This isn’t one for the frugal… but should you opt for Apple’s latest and greatest, the spangly new 12.9in iPad Pro will not disappoint.” Laptop Mag adds, “… if you want the brightest display and the best performance, opt for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro; … it will be solid candidate to replace your laptop.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 released?
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 was released on June 5, 2017.
How long does the battery last on the Apple iPad Pro 12.9?
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 has a 41 mAh battery.
Does the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 have NFC?
Yes, the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the Apple iPad Pro 12.9?
Visit Apple's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Questions & answers
Have a question about the Apple iPad Pro 12.9? Ask it here and we'll email you as soon as someone answers. Readers have answered 5,000 questions across PhoneCompass.
Finish the security check above to post your question.
Your name shows with your question.
✓ Question submitted. We'll notify you when someone answers.
We sent a verification link to . Click it to publish your question.
Can't find it? Check your spam folder.
How it compares
Compare new, refurbished, and carrier deals with the true 24-month cost calculated.