IPad Pro 2020 (12.9-inch) Review: Still Worth It?
Alright, tech enthusiasts! Let's dive deep into the iPad Pro 2020 (12.9-inch). Even though it's not the newest kid on the block anymore, it's still a powerhouse that deserves a serious look. Is it still worth your hard-earned cash in today's tech landscape? We're going to break down everything you need to know, from its stunning display to its blazing-fast performance, and everything in between. So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let's get started!
Design and Display: A Visual Treat
The design of the iPad Pro 2020 is classic Apple: sleek, minimalist, and premium. The edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display is the star of the show. We're talking about a 12.9-inch screen with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels. That's a lot of pixels, guys! This translates to incredibly sharp and detailed images, making everything from browsing the web to watching movies an absolute joy. The ProMotion technology, which offers a 120Hz refresh rate, makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth. Once you experience this, it's hard to go back to a standard 60Hz display. Seriously, your eyes will thank you.
Beyond the resolution and refresh rate, the display also boasts excellent color accuracy and brightness. It supports the P3 wide color gamut, meaning it can display a broader range of colors than standard displays. This makes photos and videos look incredibly vibrant and true-to-life. The high brightness also ensures that the screen is easily viewable even in bright sunlight. Whether you're a creative professional who needs accurate colors for editing photos or videos, or just someone who enjoys watching movies on the go, the iPad Pro 2020's display won't disappoint. The slim bezels around the display also contribute to the immersive viewing experience. You get more screen real estate without making the device overly bulky. The iPad Pro 2020 maintains a thin and light profile despite its large display, making it surprisingly portable for its size. It's perfect for carrying around campus, to meetings, or on your travels. The build quality is also top-notch, with a solid aluminum unibody that feels premium and durable. This is a device that's built to last, both in terms of performance and build quality. The anti-reflective coating on the display is also a nice touch, reducing glare and making the screen easier to see in various lighting conditions. Apple really thought of everything when designing this display, and it shows. For anyone who values a high-quality display, the iPad Pro 2020 is a top contender.
Performance: Still a Speed Demon
Under the hood, the iPad Pro 2020 is powered by Apple's A12Z Bionic chip. While it's not the latest and greatest chip from Apple, it's still incredibly powerful. The A12Z Bionic chip features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, delivering blazing-fast performance for everything from everyday tasks to demanding creative workflows. Multitasking is a breeze, and you can easily run multiple apps side-by-side without experiencing any slowdown. The iPad Pro 2020 also excels at gaming, handling even the most graphically intensive titles with ease. You can crank up the settings to max and enjoy smooth, fluid gameplay without any lag or stuttering. It's a mobile gaming beast! The A12Z Bionic chip also includes a Neural Engine, which accelerates machine learning tasks. This enables features like real-time language translation, object recognition in photos, and enhanced augmented reality experiences. The performance of the iPad Pro 2020 is further enhanced by its ample RAM. Depending on the configuration, you can get up to 6GB of RAM, which ensures that apps stay in memory and load quickly. This is especially important for creative professionals who work with large files and complex projects. Even after all this time, the iPad Pro 2020 handles video editing with ease, allowing you to edit 4K videos on the go without any hiccups. The responsiveness of the Apple Pencil 2nd generation is another factor that contributes to the overall performance of the iPad Pro 2020. The low latency and precise tracking make it feel like you're writing or drawing on paper. The iPad Pro 2020 offers a seamless and intuitive user experience, making it a joy to use for both work and play. The A12Z Bionic chip is more than capable of handling anything you throw at it. It's a testament to Apple's chip design that the iPad Pro 2020 can still compete with newer devices in terms of performance. If you're looking for a tablet that can keep up with your demanding lifestyle, the iPad Pro 2020 is an excellent choice.
Camera: More Than Just a Tablet Camera
The camera system on the iPad Pro 2020 is surprisingly good. It features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera. This allows you to capture a variety of shots, from wide landscapes to close-up details. The image quality is excellent, with sharp details, accurate colors, and good dynamic range. The iPad Pro 2020 also supports Smart HDR, which helps to balance the exposure in challenging lighting conditions. The camera system also includes a LiDAR Scanner, which measures the distance to objects around you. This enables enhanced augmented reality experiences, such as more realistic object placement and improved depth perception. The LiDAR Scanner also improves the accuracy of autofocus in low-light conditions. The front-facing camera is a 7MP TrueDepth camera, which supports Face ID for secure authentication. The front camera also captures good quality images and videos, making it ideal for video calls and selfies. While you might not be using your iPad Pro as your primary camera, it's nice to know that you have a capable camera system at your disposal. The iPad Pro 2020's cameras are more than adequate for capturing memories, scanning documents, and participating in video conferences. The inclusion of the LiDAR Scanner sets it apart from other tablets and opens up a world of possibilities for augmented reality applications. Apple has made significant improvements to the camera systems on its iPads over the years, and the iPad Pro 2020 is a prime example of this. Whether you're a casual user or a creative professional, you'll appreciate the versatility and performance of the iPad Pro 2020's cameras. The advanced features and image quality make it a valuable tool for both work and play.
Audio: Immersive Sound Experience
The audio quality on the iPad Pro 2020 is exceptional, thanks to its four-speaker audio system. The speakers are strategically placed around the device to deliver a wide stereo soundstage. The sound is clear, balanced, and surprisingly loud, making it perfect for watching movies, listening to music, or playing games. The iPad Pro 2020 also supports spatial audio, which creates a more immersive listening experience. Spatial audio uses advanced algorithms to simulate surround sound, making it feel like the sound is coming from all around you. Whether you're watching a movie with explosions or listening to a concert, spatial audio adds a new dimension to the audio experience. The iPad Pro 2020 also has excellent noise cancellation, which helps to reduce background noise during video calls. This ensures that your voice is clear and easy to understand, even in noisy environments. The microphone array is also top-notch, capturing clear and accurate audio for recordings and voice commands. Apple has always prioritized audio quality in its devices, and the iPad Pro 2020 is no exception. The combination of the four-speaker audio system, spatial audio support, and excellent noise cancellation makes it a standout device for audio performance. Whether you're a music lover, a movie buff, or a content creator, you'll appreciate the immersive and high-quality audio experience that the iPad Pro 2020 delivers. The audio capabilities of the iPad Pro 2020 make it a great device for entertainment and productivity, allowing you to enjoy your favorite content and communicate effectively in any situation. The speakers are well-tuned to deliver a balanced sound profile, with clear highs, rich mids, and punchy bass.
iPadOS and Software: Productivity Powerhouse
The iPad Pro 2020 runs on iPadOS, which is Apple's operating system designed specifically for iPads. iPadOS is intuitive, user-friendly, and packed with features that enhance productivity. The multitasking capabilities are excellent, allowing you to run multiple apps side-by-side in Split View or Slide Over. You can also easily switch between apps using the App Switcher. iPadOS also supports drag and drop, which makes it easy to move files and content between apps. The Files app provides a centralized location for accessing all of your files, whether they're stored on your iPad, in iCloud Drive, or on third-party cloud storage services. The Apple Pencil 2nd generation seamlessly integrates with iPadOS, allowing you to take notes, draw, and annotate documents with precision. The Scribble feature allows you to handwrite text in any text field, which is then automatically converted to typed text. iPadOS also includes a variety of built-in apps, such as Safari, Mail, Photos, and iMovie. These apps are optimized for the iPad's large display and provide a seamless user experience. Apple regularly releases software updates for iPadOS, which include new features, performance improvements, and security enhancements. The iPad Pro 2020 is guaranteed to receive software updates for many years to come, ensuring that it stays up-to-date with the latest features and technologies. iPadOS is a powerful and versatile operating system that transforms the iPad Pro 2020 into a productivity powerhouse. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a creative, you'll find that iPadOS provides the tools and features you need to get things done. The intuitive interface and seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem make it a joy to use. iPadOS is constantly evolving and improving, making the iPad Pro 2020 an investment that will continue to pay off in the years to come.
Is it Still Worth It?
So, the big question: Is the iPad Pro 2020 (12.9-inch) still worth buying? The answer is a resounding yes, especially if you can find it at a good price. While newer models have been released, the iPad Pro 2020 still offers incredible performance, a stunning display, and a versatile feature set. It's perfect for students, creative professionals, and anyone who wants a powerful and portable tablet. If you don't need the absolute latest and greatest specs, the iPad Pro 2020 is an excellent value proposition. You'll get a premium device that can handle anything you throw at it, without breaking the bank. Plus, the availability of accessories like the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio further enhance its capabilities. The iPad Pro 2020 remains a top contender in the tablet market, offering a compelling combination of performance, features, and value. Don't hesitate to consider it if you're in the market for a high-end tablet.