Apple iPad Pro 12.9 2020 (6GB + 1TB) Review | 168 Data compared

The T3 review of the 2020 Apple iPad Pro highlights its exceptional power, featuring the A12Z Bionic processor for high-end performance, a superior 120Hz ProMotion display, and a refined dual-camera setup with a LiDAR scanner for improved AR functionality. While praised for its performance, the device is criticized for its high cost, lack of a headphone jack, and a heavy, expensive Magic Keyboard accessory. Despite being considered the "best of the best" for creative professionals, T3 suggests the iPad Air offers better value for most users.

The Expert Reviews assessment of the 2020 Apple iPad Pro characterizes it as an iterative, high-performance tablet aimed at replacing laptops, featuring the 120Hz ProMotion display, a new LiDAR scanner, and an ultrawide camera. Pros highlighted include exceptional display quality, faster A12Z Bionic performance, 128GB base storage, and improved productivity via trackpad support in iPadOS. Conversely, cons center on high pricing when accessorized, limited practical use for the LiDAR sensor, and lingering limitations in iPadOS file management.

The 2020 Apple iPad Pro, reviewed by PCMag UK, functions as a high-performance workstation featuring a rapid processor, superior screen quality, and a LiDAR scanner for improved AR performance. Its advanced cameras and efficient application management support demanding professional, creative tasks and high-end gaming. However, the device is hindered by a high price point and, specifically regarding the 12.9-inch model, a bulky design that is unwieldy for extended handheld use.

According to Tom's Guide, the 2020 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a premium, high-performance tablet powered by the A12Z Bionic chip, featuring a brilliant 120Hz Liquid Retina display. The device excels in performance and build quality but is criticized for its high price, particularly when bundled with the expensive Magic Keyboard, and a modest CPU upgrade over the 2018 model. Despite these factors, the tablet provides over 10 hours of battery life and represents a capable, albeit costly, laptop alternative.

The TechRadar review of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2020) defines the device as a top-tier mobile powerhouse driven by the A12Z Bionic chip and 6GB of RAM, capable of handling intensive tasks like 4K video editing. Key pros include the stunning 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display with 120Hz ProMotion, a rich quad-speaker system, and the addition of a dual-camera array with a LiDAR scanner for augmented reality. However, the device faces cons regarding its high cost, particularly when adding essential accessories like the Magic Keyboard, and a bulky, heavy design that lacks the portability of smaller models. While offering 10-hour battery life for light use, high-performance tasks can drain it quickly, and the review concludes it is a premium, incremental upgrade that functions as a laptop replacement for specific users.

The Guardian's review of the 2020 12.9-inch iPad Pro concludes that with iPadOS 13.4, the device finally functions as a genuine laptop replacement for professional workflows, offering superior, precise control via native trackpad and mouse support. Key strengths include the stunning Liquid Retina display, the powerful A12Z Bionic chip, an improved 128GB base storage, and high-quality microphones, along with a new LiDAR scanner. However, the device carries a high price tag—especially when adding accessories—lower battery performance compared to the 2018 model, and lacks a headphone jack, with limited initial app support for the LiDAR scanner.

Stuff describes the 2020 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro as a supremely powerful, albeit iterative, tablet featuring a stunning 120Hz Liquid Retina display and a high-quality, slim design. Powered by the A12Z Bionic chip, it excels in intensive tasks, bolstered by 6GB of RAM, 128GB base storage, and a new LiDAR scanner that enhances augmented reality capabilities. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks regarding its high price, especially with the costly Magic Keyboard, and persistent, albeit improved, iPadOS software limitations that hinder true productivity.

The 2020 12.9-inch iPad Pro is positioned as a high-performance device boasting a 120Hz Liquid Retina display and the A12Z Bionic chip, providing impressive, laptop-like power for tasks such as 4K video editing. Notable features include a LiDAR scanner for AR, USB-C connectivity, and excellent, all-day battery life. While the display's color accuracy is superb and the four-speaker system provides high-quality audio, the device comes with a high price tag and lacks a built-in kickstand, requiring expensive accessories to fully utilize for productivity. Copy

Bill Bennett’s review characterizes the 2020 12.9-inch iPad Pro as a refined, highly powerful device featuring the A12Z Bionic chip, which offers superior performance to many laptops while retaining a top-tier design with minimal bezels. Key pros include this raw speed and an improved front camera, while the main cons are the awkward camera placement for landscape video calls and a slight reduction in battery life compared to the 2018 model. The introduction of a 10-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a LiDAR scanner for augmented reality, while technically advanced, are deemed niche "nice-to-have" features rather than essential upgrades. billbennett.co.nzWhile praising the maturing iPadOS and trackpad support, the review advises that 2018 iPad Pro owners have little reason to upgrade, positioning the 2020 model as a premium "pro" tool rather than a necessary replacement. The device bridges the gap between tablet and laptop effectively but is considered overkill for average users who might be better served by the standard iPad Air. Copy

The CHOICE review of the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M2) highlights its extreme performance driven by the M2 chip and a standout Liquid Retina XDR display offering exceptional brightness and color. Key pros include advanced connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, and a versatile Thunderbolt/USB 4 port. However, notable cons involve a high total cost when accessories are added, a "top-heavy" design that feels unstable on the lap, and a front camera placement optimized for portrait rather than landscape mode. While the M2 iPad Pro is a powerhouse, the review suggests that for many, the iPad Air offers better value, particularly since iPadOS 16 still offers a different experience than a full Mac desktop.

The NextPit review characterizes the iPad Pro 2020 (12.9-inch) as a high-end, exceptionally fast tablet, powered by the A12Z Bionic chip, designed for professionals needing premium performance, a 120Hz Liquid Retina display, and an improved four-speaker audio system. Key pros include the versatile USB-C port, high-accuracy display, and improved productivity via iPadOS trackpad support, though the device is described as an expensive, modest upgrade over the 2018 model. While the new LiDAR sensor and ultra-wide camera are technical highlights, the review cites their niche AR applications and awkward usability on a large device as functional cons.

The 2020 12.9in iPad Pro represents a premium, iterative update featuring the A12Z Bionic processor, a new dual-camera system with a LiDAR scanner, and increased base storage of 128GB, all while maintaining the 120Hz ProMotion display. Tech Advisor highlights the device’s "blazing fast" performance and improved capabilities as a "laptop replacement," particularly when paired with the transformative yet costly Magic Keyboard. However, cons include the high, luxury-tier price point, lack of a headphone jack, and lingering software limitations that may still require workarounds compared to traditional desktop operating systems.

Wired’s review characterizes the 2020 iPad Pro as an exceptionally powerful tablet, highlighting the A12Z Bionic chip for performance and the transformative addition of trackpad and mouse support for navigation. Key pros include a brilliant "Liquid Retina" display, improved studio-quality microphones, and an ultrawide camera lens, all while doubling the base storage to 128GB. However, the review notes cons such as the high price point, which can reach $2,000, and the limited, practical use of the new LiDAR scanner at the time of release. WIRED

The 2020 iPad Pro, reviewed by The Verge, is characterized as a minor update focused on a new dual-camera system, a LiDAR scanner for AR, and an A12Z Bionic processor. While offering improved 128GB base storage and better microphones, the device is considered a "small spec bump" that prioritizes future-proofing over immediate, necessary upgrades for 2018 model owners. Key pros include the updated camera array, 3D scanning potential of the LiDAR sensor, and superior microphones, but the device faces cons due to few immediate applications for the new hardware and high pricing. The performance increase from the A12Z chip is minimal for average users, and the "Pro" designation still faces limitations in professional, multi-tasking workflows. The review highlights that the most significant improvements stem from iPadOS 13.4, specifically enhanced trackpad support which works on older models, alongside the expensive, yet superior, new Magic Keyboard. Although the 2020 iPad Pro is deemed the best mobile tablet available, the real innovation is found in the software integration rather than the new hardware components.

The 2020 12.9-inch iPad Pro introduces a LiDAR scanner for enhanced augmented reality and an A12Z Bionic chip, though the hardware, while high-performing, remains overkill for typical mobile tasks. Key upgrades include native trackpad support in iPadOS 13.4 and a 120Hz ProMotion display, though the best experience requires the heavy and expensive Magic Keyboard, and the webcam remains awkwardly positioned for landscape video calls. Pros include unrivaled performance and display quality, while cons center on the high total cost, lack of immediate, necessary applications for the LiDAR sensor, and unchanged battery life.

The 2020 iPad Pro is deemed the gold standard for performance, featuring a superior 120Hz display, robust A12Z Bionic chip, and quality construction. While the new LiDAR scanner offers forward-looking AR capabilities, the device's main drawbacks include a slippery, fragile design, average battery life, and high costs for essential accessories like the Magic Keyboard. Ultimately, while it is a potent tool for productivity, iPadOS limitations prevent it from fully replacing a desktop computer for all users, often requiring expensive add-ons.

The Macworld review characterizes the 2020 12.9-inch iPad Pro as a high-quality, iterative refinement of the 2018 design, featuring a stellar 120Hz Liquid Retina display and the powerful A12Z Bionic chip. Performance is bolstered by 6GB of RAM across all models, 128GB base storage, and a new LiDAR scanner that significantly improves augmented reality capabilities. Key advantages include support for the transformative Magic Keyboard with trackpad, improved "studio quality" microphones, and a 10MP ultra-wide camera, alongside the retained quad-speaker system. However, the 12.9-inch model is considered unwieldy for handheld use by some, and the device lacks a headphone jack, featuring a slow 18W charger in the box. While the 2020 model is a capable device, the review notes that for 2018 model owners, the CPU is architecturally identical, making it an incremental upgrade. The overall high cost, particularly with necessary accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, is noted as a significant consideration.