Apple iPad Pro 12.9 2018 WiFi (4GB + 512GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro features a significant redesign with a 5.9mm thin profile, minimal bezels, and the introduction of Face ID, though the flat-edge design can make it difficult to pick up. The "Liquid Retina" display and the removal of the home button are notable pros, while the exclusion of a headphone jack serves as a con. Powered by the "absurdly fast" A12X Bionic chip, the tablet offers performance that outpaces many laptops, with USB-C providing improved peripheral connectivity. However, the 2018 model is held back by a high price tag and 6GB of RAM being limited to the expensive 1TB storage option. Battery life proves reliable at around 10 hours, yet the included 18W charger is criticized for slow speeds. Still, the device remains a strong, relevant purchase due to support for the second-generation Apple Pencil and newer accessories.

The Macworld review of the 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro praises its radical redesign, featuring reduced bezels, Face ID, and the powerful A12X Bionic chip, which outperformed many laptops at the time. Key advantages include the shift to USB-C for broader accessory support and a significantly improved, magnetically charging second-generation Apple Pencil. However, the review notes that the device was limited by iOS 12, lacking a robust, desktop-class file management system and professional-grade apps, and the sharp, squared-off edges made it harder to pick up than previous models. While offering immense power with a ProMotion 120Hz display, the high $999 starting price makes it a luxury item, and the lack of a headphone jack and inclusion of only an 18W charger were considered drawbacks.

The TechRadar review praises the 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro for its significant design overhaul, highlighting the "massively immersive" 120Hz Liquid Retina display and the seamless Face ID as top-tier features. While the performance of the A12X Bionic chip is described as "breathtaking" and superior to many laptops, the device faces criticism for limited Face ID angles and disappointing battery longevity compared to competitors. Ultimately, the shift to USB-C and the new Apple Pencil are major enhancements, yet the review concludes that software limitations prevent it from fully replacing a laptop.

The 2018 iPad Pro, lauded by T3 as a "phenomenal" device with a premium all-screen design, USB-C connectivity, and Face ID, represents a major, "class-leading" leap in hardware. It features the exceptionally powerful A12X Bionic chip and a vibrant 120Hz Liquid Retina display, delivering top-tier performance and display quality. However, the experience is hindered by iPadOS limitations and a very high price point that increases with essential accessories, with the device and its required new accessories proving to be an expensive investment. While offering unparalleled power, the device serves better as a specialized creative tool than a complete laptop replacement, according to T3's assessment.

The 2018 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro, lauded for a radical redesign, slim bezels, and the highly responsive 120Hz Liquid Retina display, is described by Expert Reviews as a "superfast" device. It features the powerful A12X Bionic chip, outperforming many laptops, and includes the second-generation Apple Pencil with improved magnetic charging and a switch to USB-C connectivity. Despite its superior hardware, the review notes the omission of a 3.5mm headphone jack and concludes that restrictive software limits its full potential as a laptop replacement.

The 2018 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro is lauded as a "pinnacle of hardware design" featuring a "scary-fast" A12X Bionic chip, an immersive 120Hz "Liquid Retina" display, and a redesigned magnetic Apple Pencil. However, the review highlights significant limitations in iOS 12, which hinder complex multi-tasking and make the device feel "stuck in the middle" despite its impressive engineering. While it serves as an excellent, portable workstation for specialized creative professionals, the high "nosebleed" price, removal of the headphone jack, and limited peripheral support make it a difficult choice for replacing a primary laptop.

In his 2018 review for Forbes, Ben Sin highlights the iPad Pro as a major hardware leap featuring a refined, thinner design, the removal of the home button, and a transition to USB-C for improved versatility. The device features the powerful A12X Bionic chip, an exceptional 120Hz ProMotion display, superior four-speaker audio, and a redesigned magnetic Apple Pencil. Despite these advancements, the review identifies drawbacks, including the lack of a headphone jack and USB-C functionality restricted by iOS, along with limited viewing angles from the Smart Keyboard Folio.

The 2018 iPad Pro features a significant redesign with slim bezels and a 120Hz Liquid Retina display, adopting a flat-edged aesthetic with Face ID. While the display and design are praised, a noted drawback is that hands can accidentally block the Face ID sensors in landscape mode. The tablet's A12X Bionic chip delivers "scary-fast" performance that outperforms many laptops, which is a major advantage for creative tasks. However, iOS 12 is cited as a limitation, often creating a bottleneck that restricts the hardware’s full potential. Switching to USB-C and the magnetically attached Apple Pencil 2 are key improvements, but the removal of the headphone jack and a high total cost for necessary accessories make it a premium, luxury device. Copy

The 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro, featuring a significant redesign with slimmed-down bezels and Face ID, is hailed as a remarkable, portable device that brings a "wow factor" to Apple's tablet lineup. It is praised for its immense power, driven by the A12X Bionic chip, the introduction of a USB-C port, a high-quality 120Hz display, and robust battery life. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks, including a high price point, the lack of a headphone jack, and software limitations that prevent it from fully replacing a laptop.

The 2018 iPad Pro, described by WIRED as a "pinnacle of tablets," introduces a significant redesign with a nearly edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display, face detection, and a 5.9mm thin aluminum chassis. A major pro is the switch to USB-C for broader accessory support, while the primary con is the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack. Performance is driven by the powerful A12X Bionic chip, which offers twice the graphics performance of its predecessor, alongside a redesigned magnetic Apple Pencil and a new, though sometimes unstable, Smart Keyboard Folio. Despite superior hardware, the device is held back by iOS limitations that prevent it from being a full laptop replacement, often restricting users to mobile-grade apps instead of full desktop functionality. The review concludes the device is an impressive "tech demo" for future software capabilities.

The 2018 iPad Pro features a "drop-dead gorgeous" all-screen design with minimized bezels, Face ID, and the "scary-fast" A12X Bionic chip, setting a new benchmark for tablet performance. Key improvements include USB-C connectivity for peripheral support and a redesigned Apple Pencil that attaches magnetically. However, the experience is hindered by software limitations, specifically iOS 12, which fails to offer true desktop-level multitasking or mouse support. Furthermore, the removal of the headphone jack necessitates dongles, and the high cost of the device combined with required accessories makes it an expensive investment. Ultimately, CNET deems it a "dream machine for graphic designers" and a "pinnacle of tablet hardware design," but one still held back by its operating system, note CNET.

The 2018 iPad Pro, reviewed by iMore, is hailed as a major hardware evolution, featuring a near edge-to-edge "Liquid Retina" display with ProMotion 120Hz technology and the immensely powerful A12X Bionic chip. Key pros include the shift to USB-C for faster data and display connectivity, along with the magnetically attaching Apple Pencil 2. However, significant cons are noted regarding software, with iOS seen as limiting professional productivity through subpar file management and multitasking capabilities. While the hardware shines, the high price point—compounded by mandatory accessories—and the lack of a headphone jack are drawbacks highlighted in the review. The device represents a "pro-level" powerhouse, but faces a potential "identity crisis" trying to bridge the gap between a portable tablet and a professional laptop replacement. For most users, iMore suggests that the 2018 iPad Pro serves as an "ultimate travel buddy" rather than a complete PC replacement.

The PCMag review characterizes the 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro as a significant hardware leap, highlighting the powerful A12X Bionic chip and a redesigned form factor with thinner bezels and Face ID. Key pros include improved accessories, such as the magnetically attaching Apple Pencil, the switch to USB-C for better connectivity, and a high-quality 120Hz Liquid Retina display. However, the review identifies significant cons, stating that the iOS 12 software fails to utilize the hardware's full potential, leading to limitations in file management and multitasking. Additionally, the high cost of the device, when paired with essential accessories like the Smart Keyboard Folio, acts as a primary drawback, often exceeding the price of laptops.