Today Apple introduced its new iPad Pro at an Apple special event. The successor of the iPad Pro 10.5 (2017) is aimed even more than before at users who want to work creatively with the iPad. But which innovations are really hidden in the new model? And is that enough to use the iPad even more than before as a notebook replacement, such as the iPad version of Adobe Photoshop for iPad? Computer Bild has already tried the new iPad Pro.
New design
The design of the new iPad Pro 11-inch (2018), which also appears in XXL format as iPad Pro (12.9 inches) 2018 , following the example of the iPhone: The unibody housing frame made of grippy aluminum is much slimmer, which initially requires some getting used to, if you do not want to feast on the screen while holding. The frame fade increases the screen size at approximately constant dimensions (247.6×178.5×5.9mm) from 10.5 to 11 inches screen diagonal. The case is only 5.9 mm thin and weighs only 468 grams.
There is no room left for the home button with an integrated fingerprint sensor. Instead, the iPad can now unlock via face recognition. In the design language of the aluminum case, however, the iPad Pro (2018) follows the design vocabulary of iPhone 4 or 5, because the frame is not rounded, but designed with a clear aluminum edge.
Other important differences to the iPhone X models: The TrueDepth camera system, which allows face recognition Face ID, is installed in the frame, so there is no recess in the display (Notch). And: The Face-ID unlocking works both when holding the iPad upright and when holding it in landscape orientation. In addition, now also in the iPad Pro the jack connection for conventional cable headphones away.
Display
The 11-inch display uses a similar LCD technology as in the iPhone XR (Apple calls it Liquid Retina Display), with 2388×1668 pixels provides a sharpness of 264 pixels per inch (PPI), which is sharp enough at a normal distance to the human eye is. The fluid 120 Hertz panel uses a large color space (P3) and, like its predecessors, Apple’s true-tone technology.
Apple indicates 600 nits in brightness, which is comparatively bright for tablet conditions. In the glaring artificial light, the iPad was actually amazingly bright, so it can still be used outside in strong sunlight. Such strong contrasts and bright colors as in the built-in iPhone X and XS OLED screens LCD does not reach the new iPad while the LCD delivers for extremely high color fidelity and an excellent picture.
Apple A12X processor
In the processor, Apple relies on the A12X, a revised version of the chip from the Apple iPhone 8 or iPhone X. What memory the group from Cupertino donated its 2018 tablet, is still open. But according to Apple, the processor is faster than many Intel processors of the current 8th series and a graphics performance similar to game consoles like the Xbox One (in the smaller version S).
The iPad Pro (2018) comes in 64, 256, 512, or 1024 gigabyte (up to 1 terabyte) memory versions. At the keynote, Apple showed impressive sports games that exploited the high graphics performance.
USB-C instead of Lightning!
Whether iPhone or iPad, so far knew iOS devices only a data-capable cable connection: via Lightning socket. But with the iPad, the previously unthinkable happens: Apple is building a USB-C port into the new iPad Pro 2018!
This can be partly accessories from the PC world without adapter connect, in addition, the iPad can even load external devices, with a suitable adapter even iPhones. The USB-C interface supports second-generation USB 3.1 standard data transfers. External monitors can be controlled with up to a resolution of 5K.
Enhanced Camera
The iPad Pro has an improved camera with new sensors. The main camera comes with a resolution of 12 megapixels and 4K video recording with smoother motion recording of up to 60 frames per second and improved flash replacement.
The front camera still offers 7MP but for the first time the familiar from the iPhone XS SmartHDR function and supports Facetime group video calls from iOS 12.1 . In 12.1.on, Apple wants to have improved the already good on the previous model four speakers. For calls, video and audio recordings, five microphones are installed.
LTE version with eSIM
Also, the iPad Pro (2018) is optionally available as an LTE version (4G), theoretically with a tempo of up to 1 gigabyte per second. In German mobile networks are currently not usable this pace. More important, therefore, is the eSIM, the Apple built like the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
So should the iPad by combining eSIM and real nano-SIM as a dual-SIM device with two mobile phone tariffs can be used, for example, to use local cheap data rates abroad. It is still unclear whether Apple continues to offer its own mobile tariffs, as it was in the previously firmly installed Apple SIM (technically an eSIM, but with Apple’s own standard) was possible. In addition to WLAN ac and Bluetooth 5.0 is installed.
USB-C: fast loading included
Thanks to USB-C and power delivery standard, Apple has improved the speed of loading. So for the first time instead of the usual 12-watt power supply on iPads an 18-watt power supply is included. Apple claims 10 hours of typical battery life – the next week’s test from COMPUTER BILD will provide clarity.
New keyboard, new Apple Pencil
Also with the accessories, Apple has refilled: There is a new keyboard cover. The iPad Pro (2018) should have a new magnetic connector for peripherals such as keyboards. In the recent iPad Pro 10.5 (2017) held the magnetic connection in comparison to the cheaper iPad 2018 often not strong enough.
The new Smart Keyboard Folio protects the front and back of the iPad Pro and looks much more stable, which also allows for better typing on the lap. In addition, there is also a new Apple Pencil that holds magnetically on the iPad frame and can even be charged by this wirelessly. In addition, the Pencil offers new operating options: Through a built-in touch sensor menus can be selected by tapping on the pen – this is intuitive and goes well from the hand.
Apple iPad Pro 2018: release, price
The new iPad Pro (2018) models can now be ordered from the Apple Store and will ship from November 7, 2018. The cheapest Wi-Fi variant of the iPad Pro 11 inches (with only 64GB, without LTE and GPS) costs in Europe 879 euros ($997), the LTE variant (Wi-Fi + Cellular) at least 1049 euros ($1190). With 256GB, the iPad Pro costs 11 inches 1049 euros ($1190) with 512GB 1269 euros ($1440) and 1TB 1709 euros ($1939).
For the LTE version, each 170 euros ($192) surcharge to shell out. The new Apple Pencil costs 135 euros ($153), the new Smart Keyboard Folio costs for the iPad Pro in the 11-inch version 199 euros ($225). The simpler and slimmer Smart Folio Keyboard costs 89 euros (variant for 11-inch).
First impression of iPad Pro (2018) 11-inch
Respect, the new design makes the iPad Pro much more modern and is definitely an eye-catcher. Thanks to the tempo jump and the new USB-C interface, the new iPad Pro 11 comes dangerously close to the notebooks, which shows announcements like a complete Photoshop. So the new iPad Pro – if there are no big surprises in the test lab – the new reference tablet.
As expected, the prices are strong, especially for the LTE version. Compared to the pure WLAN variants requires a whopping 170 euros ($192) extra for LTE and GPS. It’s more worth investing in larger storage because an Internet connection can also spend any smartphone via Wi-Fi hotspot the iPad. For 64GB of memory are clearly not enough for an iPad.
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