Apple iPad Pro 11 vs Apple iPad Pro 10.5
Should you buy Apple's new iPad Pro or opt for the lower cost iPad Pro 10.5?
Apple has just launched the new Apple iPad Pro generation for 2018, with FaceID, USB C and the all new A12X Bionic processor. It will continue to sell the 10.5 inch variant of the iPad Pro, which means you have a choice. So which should you opt for?
iPad Pro 2018 vs iPad Pro 2017: Specifications
Apple | iPad Pro 10.5 (2017) | iPad Pro 11 inch (2018) | iPad Pro 12.9inch (2018) |
---|---|---|---|
Display | 10.5 inches | 11 inches | 12.9 inches |
Resolution | 2224x1668 | 2388x1668 | 2732x2048 |
Pixels per inch | 264ppi | 264ppi | 264ppi |
Connector | Lightning | USB C | USB C |
Weight | 469/477g (Wi-Fi/LTE) | 468g | 631g/633 (Wi-Fi/LTE) |
Rear Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
Front camera | 7MP | 7MP | 7MP |
Processor | Apple A10X Fusion | Apple A12X Bionic | Apple A12X Bionic |
Storage | 64GB/256GB/512GB | 64GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | 64GB/256GB/512GB/1TB |
Battery | 30.4 watt-hour; up to 10 hour battery life | 29.37-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery | 36.71-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery |
Software | iOS 12 (iOS 10 at launch) | iOS 12 | iOS 12 |
FaceID | No | Yes | Yes |
TouchID | Yes | No | No |
Pricing | $979-$1,699 | $1,229-$2,569 | $1,529-$2,869 |
The older 10.5 inch iPad Pro can be had rather more cheaply than the new iPad Pro model, although it is possible to ramp up the specifications of a 10.5 inch iPad Pro to be higher than the entry level 11 inch model. At the same time, a fully decked out 11 inch iPad Pro could buy you two 10.5 inch iPad Pro 64GB models with plenty of change left over.
If you were buying right now, you're still laying down a serious quantity of cash either way, and there the standard technology advice applies.
Always buy at the closest to cutting edge that your wallet can afford, because that way you'll get more immediate use and a longer-term likelihood of seeing updates down the track. At some point in the future, Apple will cut iOS off for the A10X Fusion running the iPad Pro 10.5, but it's not likely to drop the 11 inch or 12.9 inch 2018 iPad Pro models at the same time.