Guide to Choosing Between the Latest Apple iPad Pro Models

At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) earlier this month, Apple showcased a new, 10.5-inch iPad Pro to complement the company’s 12.9-inch tablet. The device, which is priced starting at $649, features a high-end display and a powerful processor. It is available in WiFi and cellular options, and customers can choose the amount of storage they need. But whether the 10.5-inch iPad Pro is the right iPad Pro might not be an easy question for everyone to answer. After all, the 12.9-inch option has a number of advantages users shouldn’t discount. In the following slide show, eWEEK will discuss the similarities and differences between Apple’s new 10.5-inch iPad Pro and the 12.9 version, to take some of the mystery out of which model to buy.

For many, the biggest consideration is the screen size. The 10.5-inch iPad Pro has a 2,224-by-1,668-pixel resolution, while the 12.9-inch model has 2,738-by-2,048 resolution due to its larger size. Both tablets feature 264 pixels per inch, have a wide color gamut and fingerprint-resistant coating.

Apple fit the 10.5-inch screen into a device about the same size as its former 9.7-inch iPad Pro. It accomplished that by reducing the size of the bezels around the screen. Apple also trimmed the bezels in the 12.9-inch version. Both tablets are equally attractive.

If portability matters, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro might be the average customer’s best bet. It weighs 1.03 pounds, easily besting the 1.49 pounds of the 12.9-inch version. The 10.5-inch iPad Pro is 0.24 inches thick, which is slightly thinner than the 0.27-inch 12.9-inch option.

Both iPad Pro models have the same processing power inside. Apple is using the new A10X processor, which comes with 64-bit architecture, and an embedded M10 coprocessor. The latest benchmark scores show both iPad Pro models deliver more power than some Windows and Apple notebooks.

Although the larger iPad Pro has a bigger battery, both models offer the same battery life. Regardless of the model customers choose, they can expect up to 10 hours of battery life on WiFi models and 9 hours on WiFi-and-cellular versions.

Both iPad Pro models have the same cameras. The rear camera is 12 megapixels with a lens offering an f/1.8 aperture and up to a 5x digital zoom. On the front is a 7-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording. The iPad Pro also supports 4K video recording.

Both models have additional security in the form of Touch ID support, allowing users to secure their devices with their fingerprints. The iPad Pros also support Apple Pay, so users can authenticate digital purchases with their biometric data.

Both iPad Pro models support Apple’s Smart Keyboard and Pencil accessories. The Smart Keyboard attaches to the iPad Pro’s Smart Connector to provide physical keyboard convenience. The Apple Pencil is the company’s stylus for digitally writing on the screen.

Both the 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models come with iOS 10 and Apple’s applications, including Safari, Mail and the App Store. Users also will be able to take advantage of the new iPad features in the upcoming iOS 11, including a larger Dock and improved multitasking.

For many customers, the decision to choose one iPad Pro over another comes down to price. And on that front, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro wins easily. The device starts at $649 for the 64GB WiFi-only model and hits $1,079 for those who want 512GB of storage and LTE connectivity. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $799 and costs as much as $1,229 for the highest-end options.