Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020) Tablet Review with Key Features

Today, many new companies have appeared on the electronic equipment market, whose developments are striking in their capabilities. It's no secret that most of them are located in China, but budget Xiaomi, Huawei, Realme and other brands have been able to prove that quality doesn't have to be expensive.

However, even the giants of the premium segment are not averse to saving money on assembling their products, and the main example of this is Apple. The manufacturer, which has been holding the leadership in its segment for the first year, knows how to create interesting and thoughtful gadgets, finally, it presented a new generation of iPad Pro tablets, despite all the problems associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

By the way, the new model is not just another tablet, but in many ways a really breakthrough device - in addition to the presence of two cameras (for the first time in Apple tablets), software updates (the previous generation was based on the developments of 2018), the device received a very extensive functionality that allows you to use it as a replacement for a laptop. Of course, such statements are no longer new, but a review of the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020) tablet with the main characteristics will allow you to understand in more detail the main characteristics and capabilities of the new generation iPad Pro and make a balanced choice.

Briefly about the main

No matter how big Apple's popularity in the world is, no one will deny that the company has succeeded in both high-profile victories and outright failures. Suffice it to recall the Apple iPad 10.2, which was positioned as a new device (it is worth recognizing a couple of interesting features the developers added), but in fact, users received "hardware" similar to past generations.

As for the iPad Pro 11 (2020), the appearance of the device has remained unchanged and, perhaps, this is even good, because the prestige of the model lies in its recognition. Interestingly, when the keyboard is connected to a magnetic surface, the body of the tablet will hold on to the weight and not touch the special panel on the bottom. The changes also affected the camera block. Yes, they still protrude a little, but they have two sensors, including an ultra-wide-angle one. Of the interesting things, it is also worth highlighting the conservative view of the colors - as before, two variations of "silver" and "gray space" are available. Also, the device is charged using USB-C, which is on the edge of the bottom.

But the problem with performance is the same as with the iPad 10.2. There are improvements - updated hardware software, energy efficiency at a new level, allowing you to work longer under heavy loads, a slight increase in core frequency. However, all this is not what users expected, and even the company itself does not praise the hardware of the iPad too much, preferring to talk about revolutionary cameras. However, we must admit that the model has practically no worthy competitors, and therefore the company can afford such a solution.

These are the main points of the new iPad Pro, below its advantages, disadvantages and features will be considered in more detail, and you can quickly familiarize yourself with the characteristics in the table:

Design

Suffice it to say "iPad Pro", and many people immediately see a neat rectangular case with rounded edges, in two color options and with an obligatory attribute - the missing Home button. Perhaps this is a great example of how a successful design solution can not change over the years and still cause delight. The novelty has retained all its features and is available in 12.9 and 11 inches. The resolution of the screen matrix also did not change 2732 × 2048 and 2388 × 1688 pixels, respectively. By the way, the IPS-matrix has an anti-reflective coating, backlighting with brightness up to 600 nits and a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

The dimensions of the devices remained unchanged:

• 11-inch version - 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm, weight - 473 grams;
• Version 12.9 inches - 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm, weight - 643 grams.

The only thing is that the junior version has become heavier by 5 grams, and the older one by 12 grams, but this is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday life - the tablets are still convenient and compact.

Above and below the iPad Pro 2020 has 4 speakers, in fact, this is one of the differences between the Pro series and the younger Air and Mini. There are also enough microphones - 3 on top and one each on the left side and under the camera module. The model received three physical buttons - this is the power button, located on the upper edge, and the volume buttons on the right edge (by the way, there is only a slot for a nano-SIM card in the lower part, and between them there is a strip of magnetic surface for connecting a keyboard). It should be said that the location of the buttons and sensors looks very thoughtful, which is good news.

As for the appearance, the tablet has noticeable but neat frames, a pleasant rounded shape. The front camera is located right in the middle, and the main one is shifted to the upper left corner and is located on a small square hill. On the back panel, by tradition, there is an Apple symbol, under it the inscription "iPad".

Cameras

The American company has always been famous for good camera modules, but never chased the number of megapixels. Actually, this happened this time too - two sensors in 2020 cannot be called a wonder.

The first sensor is wide-angle, with a matrix resolution of 12 megapixels and an aperture of f / 1.8, the second is an ultra-wide-angle, with a resolution of 10 megapixels and aperture of f / 2.4 (viewing angle 125 degrees). Despite the rather modest performance, the cameras demonstrate good results, and their capabilities include:

• 2x optical and 5x digital zoom;
• Focus by touch and automatic;
• Automatic image stabilization;
• True Tone - a flash that adjusts the white balance to the lighting;
• The ability to shoot panoramas with a maximum resolution of 63 megapixels;
• Supports Live Photos, burst shooting, Smart HDR function;
• There is a LiDAR scanner. An interesting innovation - such scanners are used for space missions to Mars, but users will be able to use it to work with augmented reality at a new level. The main advantages of the technology are incredible reaction speed (nanoseconds), the ability to work indoors and outdoors and at a distance of up to 5 meters from the object.

The front camera is a bit simpler - it is a 7 megapixel sensor and f / 2.2 aperture. However, it is capable of shooting video at 60 fps and supports Retina Flash flash, Smart HDR, burst shooting and stabilization (automatic). The exclusive technology of the pro-series Face ID (face recognition) is also implemented.

Input Devices

The main feature of the iPad Pro is, of course, the ability to use it as a laptop without sacrificing comfort and quality. You won't be able to do this without additional input devices, and therefore you will have to separately purchase a Magic Keyboard (cost from 27 to 31 thousand rubles, depending on the size of the tablet) and an Apple Pencil (price about 11.5 thousand rubles).

Magic Keyboard keeps the device suspended, allowing you to flexibly change the angle. There is a built-in trackpad sensor for working with iPadOS using multi-touch gestures.Interestingly, the keyboard has its own USB-C port, connecting to which you can charge the iPad itself. Magic Keyboard keys are separate, implemented on the principle of a "scissor" mechanism. There is backlighting and quick response.

The pencil is convenient to use when working in a digital pad. The charging function is interestingly implemented - you need to put (magnet) Apple Pencil to the magnetic panel on the tablet case.

Performance

As mentioned above, the processor has remained unchanged - it's the same 64-bit A12Z Bionic, though updated using the 7-nanometer process technology. Inside, the A12Z Bionic has eight cores, four of which are energy efficient and the rest are high performance. Uses an 8-core Neural Engine and an embedded M12 motion coprocessor. This combination with the combination of software updates and energy efficient cores allows you to increase battery life when working under peak loads.

Unfortunately, Apple has not created anything new or interesting compared to the previous model, but this solution still has a good performance / autonomy ratio and has almost no competitors in the niche.

Vault

But here everything is consistently good. The company took care of the needs of its fans in free space, and presented at once four variations of tablets with different storage capacities. So, there are variations with internal memory of 128, 256, 512 and 1000 GB, which is good news. Also, it's worth noting that Apple has dropped the standard 64GB storage for the sake of modern trends.

A small revolution has also taken place in RAM. Instead of the previous generation 4GB, the 2020 model received 6GB of RAM, so there shouldn't be any performance issues.

operating system

Of course, everything is expected here - the new product received iPadOS 13.4, which, by the way, made it possible to bring just powerful hardware to the level of competition with laptops. You should be careful when choosing input devices - for example, a first generation pen will not work with this tablet.

Display

The dimensions and resolution have already been mentioned (2732 × 2048 and 2388 × 1688). We also need to clarify that the IPS LCD display received a pixel density of 265 ppi. The usable screen area was 82.9% of the entire body.

Battery

Autonomy is still one of the most attractive aspects of the tablet - the developers promise up to 10 hours of full-fledged work using Wi-Fi networks or when watching videos and up to 9 hours using LTE.

Batteries themselves:

• 11-inch iPad Pro - 28.65 Wh
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch - 36.71 Wh

Interestingly, the previous version of the 11-inch device came with a 29.37 Wh battery, while the older version did not change.

It is worth noting that the kit comes with a USB-C cable (cord length 1 meter) and an 18 W charger.

Technologies, communication standards, dimensions

Key wireless technologies and additional information on the tablet in a compact list:

• Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax, Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR;
• Network: GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE;
• Internet: GSM, CDMA, HSDPA, CDMA, LTE;
• Navigation: A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (only in models with Wi-Fi + Cellular);
• Sensors: Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Accelerometer, Face ID;
• Dimensions: 6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm (473g) / 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9mm (643g)
• Optional: 3.1, Type-C 1.0.

It is also worth noting the presence of fast charging 18 W, the absence of a slot for an external memory card and a radio module. The body of the device has an oleophobic coating, which prevents the appearance of greasy prints and scratch-resistant glass.

Summing up

iPad Pro 2020 is a good continuation of the promising series of tablets, which can already really squeeze out laptops due to the high level of comfort, performance and many additional devices and chips. The updated cameras are definitely pleasing, and albeit not too noticeable, but still an increase in performance, and a good plus to speed due to 6 GB of RAM. The decision to create four versions of tablets with different drives also looks very reasonable - everyone can choose a model to their liking and needs.Among the minuses, of course, are the prices for input devices and the availability of only two color options, but there is nothing to seriously complain about the tablet (the lack of a mini-jack is not worth mentioning, because the company has long abandoned this interface).

• Recognizable design;
• Various tablet variations from screen sizes to internal storage capacity;
• Nice, bright screen;
• Light weight, easy to use;
• Many interesting technologies (QZSS, LiDAR, Face ID);
• The quality of the case and components;
• High-speed performance;
• The current version of iPadOS 13.4;
• Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil support;
• Battery life;
• Dual camera;
• Powerful yet energy efficient processor.

• There is no slot for an external memory card (however, this is expected);
• Only two color options for the body;
• The cost of input devices.

Takeaway: The 2020 iPad Pro is a great solution for those who value comfort but want to be free of bulky devices. Yes, the tablet does not show miracles in performance and has minor flaws and at the same time is very expensive, but the device works as it should and does not create problems for the user, however, like other premium Apple products.