IPad Pro 12.9 (2018): A Deep Dive

Hey guys! Let's talk about the iPad Pro 12.9 (3rd generation) from 2018. This tablet was a game-changer when it dropped, and even now, it's still a powerhouse for many. We're going to dive deep into its features, specs, and why it might still be a great option for you, whether you're looking to buy a used one or just reminiscing about a fantastic piece of tech. I will also explore common repair issues that this device may face. So, buckle up!

Design and Build Quality

The 2018 iPad Pro 12.9-inch model, the 3rd generation, introduced a radical redesign compared to its predecessors. Gone were the thick bezels and the Home button. Instead, we got a sleek, all-screen design that instantly modernized the iPad experience. The bezels were slimmed down significantly, giving you more screen real estate in a similar-sized body. The corners are rounded, making it comfortable to hold despite its large size. The build quality is top-notch, as you'd expect from Apple. It's crafted from a single piece of aluminum, providing a premium feel and excellent durability. It comes in two color options: Space Gray and Silver. These colors have become classics in the Apple product line, offering a clean and sophisticated look that has stood the test of time.

Key Design Features and Build Material

The most notable design change was the removal of the Home button and the introduction of Face ID. This allowed for a more immersive display and streamlined the user experience. The Face ID system, embedded in the top bezel, works flawlessly, unlocking the iPad quickly and securely. The device features a USB-C port, replacing the Lightning connector. This was a significant upgrade, as USB-C offered faster data transfer speeds and broader compatibility with other devices and accessories. The aluminum unibody construction provides a sturdy feel, making the iPad feel both robust and premium. The tablet is surprisingly lightweight for its size, making it relatively easy to carry around. The speakers are strategically placed to deliver a rich audio experience, enhancing the multimedia experience. These design choices, combined with the premium build materials, made the 2018 iPad Pro a standout product. The slim bezels not only enhanced the aesthetics but also provided a more immersive display experience. The USB-C port added to the device's versatility. Face ID provided a secure and convenient way to unlock the device. The 2018 iPad Pro's build and design were about form and function, delivering a seamless user experience that set a new standard for tablets.

Durability and Handling

Given its large size, the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 is surprisingly easy to handle. The slim design and rounded edges make it comfortable to hold, even for extended periods. The aluminum body is generally durable, but like any device, it's susceptible to dents and scratches if not protected. A case is highly recommended to protect against accidental drops and impacts. The display is covered with a scratch-resistant glass, but it's not invincible. Screen protectors can provide an extra layer of protection against scratches and other damage. The overall handling experience is smooth and intuitive, thanks to the responsive touchscreen and the well-optimized iPadOS. The large screen real estate makes it great for multitasking, content consumption, and creative tasks. Users can easily switch between apps, use the split-screen view, and work with multiple windows. The design choices, like the slim bezels and the placement of the speakers, significantly enhance the handling experience. Although the iPad Pro 12.9 is a large tablet, it remains surprisingly portable. Its lightweight design makes it suitable for travel, work, and entertainment. Using a case, screen protector, and carrying bag is recommended to protect the device's build and maintain its appearance.

Display and Audio Quality

The display on the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 is a visual treat. It boasts a stunning Liquid Retina display with ProMotion technology. This means the screen dynamically adjusts its refresh rate up to 120Hz, making everything look incredibly smooth, from scrolling through web pages to playing games. The display is bright, vibrant, and offers excellent color accuracy, making it ideal for creative work, watching movies, and just about anything else you can throw at it. The resolution is crisp, ensuring that text and images look sharp and detailed. The display's wide color gamut supports a broad range of colors, giving you vivid and lifelike visuals. The display's brightness allows it to be easily viewed in various lighting conditions. This makes it an excellent choice for users who want a tablet that excels in media consumption and creative tasks. The ProMotion technology reduces motion blur and enhances responsiveness. This makes the experience of using the iPad Pro 12.9 more fluid and enjoyable.

Display Technology and Features

As mentioned, the Liquid Retina display is the star of the show. It offers a combination of features that deliver an outstanding visual experience. The ProMotion technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate, which results in smoother scrolling, animations, and gameplay. The display supports a wide color gamut, which means it can accurately reproduce a broad range of colors, offering more vivid and realistic visuals. The display's high brightness makes it easy to use outdoors or in bright environments. The display also supports True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature of the display based on the ambient light. This ensures that the display appears natural and comfortable to the eyes. The display features a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, which helps to reduce smudges and fingerprints. The anti-reflective coating reduces glare, making the screen easier to see in various lighting conditions. The display features rounded corners, which fit the iPad Pro's overall design. The display features excellent viewing angles, so images and content remain clear and accurate regardless of the user's position. The display technology creates an immersive and pleasant viewing experience.

Audio Capabilities

Audio quality on the 2018 iPad Pro is also impressive. It features four speakers strategically placed around the device, providing stereo sound. The speakers deliver a rich, balanced audio experience with good bass response. They get loud enough to fill a room, making it great for watching movies or listening to music without headphones. The audio output is clear and crisp, with minimal distortion at high volumes. The four-speaker system provides a balanced stereo experience, enhancing the overall audio immersion. The iPad Pro supports the use of external speakers or headphones via the USB-C port or Bluetooth. The device also supports spatial audio, which enhances the listening experience when using compatible headphones. The speakers' design and placement contribute to a wider soundstage, adding to the immersive experience. The overall audio quality ensures that users can enjoy the content they watch or listen to on their iPad Pro.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 packs a punch. It's powered by the A12X Bionic chip, which was incredibly powerful when it launched. This chip delivers blazing-fast performance, making everything from gaming to video editing a breeze. The chip is paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, depending on the storage configuration, providing ample memory for multitasking and demanding applications. The performance is still competitive even today, handling most tasks without breaking a sweat. The graphics performance is excellent, thanks to the integrated GPU, allowing you to play graphically intensive games without lag or stutter. The A12X Bionic chip is designed to handle demanding tasks, such as video editing, graphic design, and augmented reality applications. The device's performance makes it a versatile tool for professionals and casual users alike.

Processor and RAM

The A12X Bionic chip is the heart of the 2018 iPad Pro's performance. It features an eight-core CPU and an eight-core GPU. The CPU provides incredible processing power, while the GPU offers excellent graphics performance. The chip's Neural Engine accelerates machine learning tasks, such as image recognition and video analysis. This adds to the overall performance of the iPad Pro, making it incredibly responsive and efficient. The RAM configuration varies depending on the storage capacity. Models with 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage have 4GB of RAM, while the 1TB model comes with 6GB of RAM. The RAM is used to store active data, which enables the device to handle multiple apps simultaneously. The combination of the A12X Bionic chip and ample RAM makes the iPad Pro incredibly fast and responsive. This allows for smooth multitasking, seamless gaming, and fast application loading times. The processor's efficient design also contributes to excellent battery life.

Storage Options and Expandability

The 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 offers several storage options to cater to different user needs. It is available in 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage configurations. This wide range of storage options allows users to choose the device that best fits their storage needs. The 64GB models are suitable for users who only need to store a few apps, documents, and media files. The 256GB and 512GB models offer more storage for larger media libraries and demanding applications. The 1TB model is perfect for professionals or users who require the most storage for storing large files and projects. The iPad Pro does not have a microSD card slot, so users must choose the storage configuration that meets their needs. The storage is fast, providing rapid data access and transfer speeds. The device's storage is non-volatile, which means data is retained even when the device is powered off. The storage options on the 2018 iPad Pro offer enough flexibility for different user profiles.

Software and User Experience

The 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 runs on iPadOS, Apple's mobile operating system optimized for tablets. iPadOS offers a smooth and intuitive user experience. The interface is optimized for the touchscreen, making it easy to navigate and interact with the device. The software experience provides a range of features designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and entertainment. iPadOS includes multitasking features such as Split View and Slide Over, which allow users to run multiple apps simultaneously. These features enhance productivity, allowing users to work more efficiently. The software provides a wide range of apps available in the App Store, from productivity tools to creative applications and games. The software integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices and services, such as iCloud, AirDrop, and Handoff. iPadOS receives regular software updates, ensuring that users have access to the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements. The user experience is enhanced by the responsiveness of the hardware, the smooth animations, and the intuitive interface. iPadOS features a user-friendly interface that is easy to learn and navigate, regardless of the user's prior tablet experience.

iPadOS Features

iPadOS brings many features that enhance the tablet experience. These features have been designed to leverage the iPad Pro's hardware and capabilities. The operating system includes features like multitasking, which allows you to run multiple apps side by side using Split View or Slide Over. The Files app allows you to manage files and folders, providing a more desktop-like experience. The Apple Pencil support makes it perfect for artists, designers, and students to take notes and sketch. There's also support for external keyboards and mice, transforming the iPad into a productivity machine. iPadOS regularly receives software updates that introduce new features, improve performance, and enhance security. The interface is intuitive, with easy-to-use controls and navigation. The App Store offers a huge selection of apps optimized for iPad, including productivity, creativity, and entertainment apps. The software experience ensures that the iPad Pro is a versatile device suitable for various tasks and purposes.

User Interface and Navigation

The iPad Pro's user interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, providing a seamless user experience. The interface has a clean and minimalistic design with large icons and clear text. The multi-touch gestures make navigation smooth and effortless. Users can easily swipe between apps, open the Control Center, and access the Dock. The Home screen displays apps, widgets, and folders, providing easy access to frequently used applications. The Dock allows you to quickly launch frequently used apps and switch between them. The Control Center provides quick access to frequently used settings, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and screen brightness. The notifications are neatly organized in the Notification Center, providing a convenient way to stay updated on notifications and alerts. The user interface integrates seamlessly with the iPad Pro's hardware, with smooth animations and responsive controls. The interface is highly customizable, allowing users to personalize the look and feel of their device. The interface provides a user-friendly and intuitive experience, whether you are a first-time iPad user or an experienced one.

Accessories

The 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 is compatible with several accessories that can enhance its functionality and versatility. The most notable accessories are the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and the Smart Keyboard Folio. The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) magnetically attaches to the side of the iPad Pro, and it charges wirelessly. The pencil offers precise control and is great for drawing, sketching, and note-taking. The Smart Keyboard Folio provides a comfortable typing experience, turning the iPad into a portable workstation. These accessories significantly extend the iPad Pro's capabilities, making it a powerful tool for productivity and creativity.

Apple Pencil Support

The 2nd generation Apple Pencil is a key accessory for the 2018 iPad Pro. It magnetically attaches to the side of the iPad Pro for charging and storage. The Apple Pencil provides precise control and responsiveness, which is essential for creative tasks like drawing, sketching, and note-taking. The Apple Pencil's low latency ensures a natural writing experience, as it feels like you're writing with a pen or pencil. The Apple Pencil features a double-tap gesture, which allows users to quickly switch between tools or access other features. The Apple Pencil also supports tilt and pressure sensitivity, so you can create different strokes based on the angle and pressure. The Apple Pencil works seamlessly with iPadOS, and it provides an immersive and interactive user experience. Using the Apple Pencil makes the iPad Pro a more versatile tool. It is perfect for professionals, artists, students, and anyone who wants to take notes, annotate documents, or get creative. The combination of the iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil makes for a powerful creative workstation.

Keyboard and Other Accessories

Besides the Apple Pencil, there are other accessories that enhance the iPad Pro's functionality. The Smart Keyboard Folio is a great choice for those who need to type frequently. The keyboard magnetically attaches to the iPad Pro and offers comfortable typing experience. The keyboard protects the iPad Pro's screen when closed. There are other Bluetooth keyboards and cases available on the market that provide a similar typing experience. The USB-C port enables you to connect to various accessories, such as external displays, hard drives, and USB hubs. You can also use adapters to connect other devices, such as SD card readers or Ethernet adapters. Third-party accessories, such as sleeves, stands, and screen protectors, provide more customization options. The iPad Pro's versatility is enhanced by the wide range of available accessories, allowing you to create the perfect setup for work, entertainment, or creativity. These accessories can enhance productivity and make the iPad Pro a more versatile device.

Battery Life

The 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 offers excellent battery life, typically lasting through a full day of moderate use. Apple claims up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on a single charge. Of course, the actual battery life will vary depending on your usage, but it's generally quite impressive. Intensive tasks like gaming or video editing will drain the battery faster, but you can still expect a good amount of usage before needing to recharge. Battery life is a crucial factor for a mobile device, as it determines how long you can use the device without needing to connect it to a power source. The battery life makes the iPad Pro suitable for travel, work, and entertainment. The long battery life contributes to an uninterrupted user experience, making it perfect for both work and play.

Battery Performance and Charging

The iPad Pro's battery performance is generally excellent, providing all-day battery life for most users. The actual battery life depends on several factors, including screen brightness, the apps being used, and the types of tasks performed. Users can expect approximately 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on a single charge. The device supports fast charging, which allows you to recharge the battery quickly. The device charges via USB-C, providing a versatile and convenient charging solution. The battery health of the iPad Pro can degrade over time, but Apple offers battery replacement services if needed. The device monitors the battery's health to prevent overcharging and ensure optimal performance. The device's power-efficient design contributes to its excellent battery life. The long battery life makes the iPad Pro perfect for travel, working on the go, and extended use. The battery provides a reliable power source, ensuring that users can use their iPad Pro for extended periods without needing to recharge it frequently.

Common Repair Issues

Let's talk about some common repair issues you might encounter with the iPad Pro 12.9 (3rd generation) from 2018. As with any electronic device, things can go wrong. Some of the most common issues reported include screen damage (cracked screens are unfortunately common, especially given the large size), battery problems (battery degradation over time is inevitable), charging port issues (the USB-C port can sometimes get damaged or clogged), and software glitches. Fortunately, most of these issues are fixable, and there are many repair services that can help you out. Whether you need a screen replacement, battery replacement, or software troubleshooting, there are options available. You should always back up your data before sending your device in for repair. Choosing a reputable repair service is important to ensure your device is fixed correctly. There is a lot to consider to keep your iPad Pro in good working condition. Let's delve into the repair issues.

Screen Replacement and Damage

The most common repair issue for the iPad Pro is screen damage. The large display is more susceptible to damage from drops or impacts. Cracks, scratches, and other forms of damage can affect both the display's functionality and its appearance. Screen replacement is a common repair service. Repairing the screen involves replacing the entire display assembly or just the glass. The repair process typically involves carefully removing the damaged screen, installing a new screen, and reassembling the device. A professional repair service is recommended to ensure a proper repair and to avoid further damage. The repair typically involves specialized tools and expertise. Repair services often use genuine or high-quality replacement parts to ensure the display's quality and functionality. Repair costs can vary depending on the extent of the damage, the repair service, and the type of replacement parts used. Once the repair is complete, you should always protect your device. Screen protectors and cases can help protect the display from future damage.

Battery Problems and Replacement

Battery problems are another common issue with the 2018 iPad Pro. Over time, the battery capacity will naturally degrade, resulting in shorter battery life. The device may experience sudden shutdowns or slow charging times. Battery replacement is a common repair service. The battery replacement process typically involves removing the old battery and replacing it with a new one. This often involves specialized tools and expertise. Repair services often use genuine or high-quality replacement batteries to ensure optimal performance. The battery replacement will restore the device's battery life to its original capacity. The replacement process can take some time. Once the repair is complete, users can expect to enjoy longer battery life. If the battery is experiencing issues, such as slow charging or sudden shutdowns, it's best to have it replaced. Battery replacement is a cost-effective solution to restore battery life. To extend your battery life, you can adjust screen brightness and disable background app refresh.

Charging Port Issues and Other Problems

Issues with the USB-C charging port can arise over time. The port might not charge the device or might be loose or damaged. Debris can also clog the port. Cleaning the charging port can sometimes resolve the problem. If the port is damaged, it may need to be replaced. The repair involves disassembling the device and replacing the charging port component. The repair should be carried out by a professional service. You should take care to prevent the port from damage in the future. Software glitches can also cause problems. The device may experience freezing, crashing, or other software-related issues. Performing a factory reset or reinstalling the operating system can often resolve these issues. Software updates can also cause issues. Make sure to back up your data before performing a factory reset. Other common issues include camera problems. These problems might be caused by software bugs or hardware damage. These issues can be resolved by replacing the camera component or restoring the device's original settings. It's important to choose a reputable repair service to resolve these issues. Reputable services use quality components and provide repair warranties.

Conclusion

The 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 (3rd generation) is still a fantastic tablet, even in the present day. Its stunning display, powerful performance, and versatile features make it a great choice for creative professionals, students, and anyone who wants a premium tablet experience. If you're looking for a tablet, this generation of iPad Pro is worth considering, especially if you can find a good deal on a used model. Just be aware of the common repair issues and factor those into your decision. Overall, it's a testament to Apple's engineering prowess that this device remains a solid performer even several years after its initial release. Happy tablet hunting, guys!