IPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Gen): Review, Specs & More
Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation). This powerhouse of a tablet was a game-changer when it hit the scene, and it's still a relevant and impressive piece of tech. We'll explore everything from its stunning display and blazing-fast performance to its camera capabilities and overall value in today's market. So, buckle up and let's get started!
Overview of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation)
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation), released in 2020, aimed to redefine what a tablet could do. Apple packed it with cutting-edge technology, making it a compelling option for creatives, professionals, and anyone who wanted a premium tablet experience. At its heart is the A12Z Bionic chip, a processor that delivers incredible speed and responsiveness. This means everything from editing 4K videos to playing graphics-intensive games is smooth and seamless. The stunning 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display with ProMotion technology is another standout feature. It offers vibrant colors, incredible detail, and a 120Hz refresh rate, making everything look and feel incredibly fluid. This makes it ideal for artists, designers, and anyone who appreciates a beautiful display. Furthermore, the inclusion of a LiDAR Scanner significantly enhances augmented reality (AR) experiences, opening up new possibilities for gaming, education, and professional applications. The iPad Pro also boasts a versatile camera system, featuring a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera, perfect for capturing stunning photos and videos. Add to that the all-day battery life, and you have a tablet that can keep up with even the most demanding users. It's not just a tablet; it's a creative studio, a portable workstation, and an entertainment hub all rolled into one sleek package.
Display and Design
The display on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation) is truly something special. The Liquid Retina display boasts a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (ppi). This means images and text are incredibly sharp and detailed. Colors are vibrant and accurate, thanks to the P3 wide color gamut, which ensures that the display can reproduce a wider range of colors than standard sRGB displays. This is crucial for creative professionals who need accurate color representation for their work. ProMotion technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate of the display up to 120Hz. This means the screen refreshes up to 120 times per second, making scrolling, animations, and drawing feel incredibly smooth and responsive. It's a subtle but noticeable difference that enhances the overall user experience. The display also features True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature of the display to match the ambient lighting in your environment. This makes the display more comfortable to look at for extended periods, reducing eye strain. The anti-reflective coating minimizes glare, making it easier to use the iPad Pro in bright lighting conditions. The design of the iPad Pro is sleek and modern, with slim bezels and flat edges. It's made from aluminum, giving it a premium look and feel. It's available in two colors: Silver and Space Gray. The build quality is excellent, and it feels solid and well-built in your hand. The slim profile and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, despite its large screen size. The iPad Pro also features four speakers, which deliver impressive sound quality. Whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or playing games, the audio experience is immersive and enjoyable.
Performance and Specs
Under the hood, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation) is powered by the A12Z Bionic chip. This chip is a powerhouse, featuring an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU. This means it can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. Whether you're editing 4K videos, playing graphics-intensive games, or running multiple apps simultaneously, the iPad Pro won't break a sweat. The A12Z Bionic chip also features a Neural Engine, which accelerates machine learning tasks. This enables features like Face ID, Siri, and augmented reality to work faster and more efficiently. The iPad Pro is available with several storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. This gives you plenty of space to store your files, photos, videos, and apps. It also has 6GB of RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and fast app switching. The iPad Pro supports Wi-Fi 6, the latest Wi-Fi standard, which offers faster speeds and improved network performance. It also supports Gigabit LTE, so you can stay connected even when you're away from Wi-Fi. The battery life on the iPad Pro is excellent, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge. This means you can use it all day without having to worry about running out of power. The iPad Pro also supports fast charging, so you can quickly recharge the battery when needed. The combination of the A12Z Bionic chip, ample RAM, fast storage, and long battery life makes the iPad Pro a true performance powerhouse. It's capable of handling anything you throw at it, making it ideal for professionals, creatives, and anyone who demands the best performance from their tablet.
Camera Capabilities
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation) features a versatile camera system that's perfect for capturing stunning photos and videos. It has a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera. The Wide camera is great for capturing everyday photos and videos, while the Ultra Wide camera lets you capture more of the scene in a single shot. This is especially useful for landscape photography and group photos. The iPad Pro also features a LiDAR Scanner, which measures the distance to objects in the surrounding environment. This enhances augmented reality (AR) experiences, allowing you to place virtual objects more accurately and realistically in the real world. The LiDAR Scanner also improves the accuracy of autofocus in low-light conditions, resulting in sharper and more detailed photos and videos. The iPad Pro can record videos in up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. It also supports slo-mo video recording at 120 frames per second or 240 frames per second. The front-facing camera is a 7MP TrueDepth camera, which supports Face ID. This allows you to unlock your iPad Pro securely and log in to apps and websites using just your face. The TrueDepth camera also enables features like Animoji and Memoji, which let you create animated characters that mimic your facial expressions. The iPad Pro's camera system is surprisingly capable for a tablet. It's not going to replace a professional camera, but it's more than adequate for capturing photos and videos for social media, video conferencing, and everyday use.
Accessories and Compatibility
To truly unlock the potential of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation), you'll want to consider some accessories. The most popular accessories are the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and the Smart Keyboard Folio. The Apple Pencil is a must-have for artists, designers, and anyone who likes to take handwritten notes. It attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro and charges wirelessly. It's incredibly responsive and accurate, making it feel like you're writing on paper. The Smart Keyboard Folio is a full-size keyboard that attaches magnetically to the iPad Pro. It provides a comfortable typing experience and also serves as a protective cover for the display. The iPad Pro is also compatible with other accessories, such as mice, trackpads, and external storage devices. You can connect these accessories using the USB-C port on the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro runs on iPadOS, which is a mobile operating system designed specifically for iPads. iPadOS offers a range of features that enhance the iPad experience, such as multitasking, split-screen view, and Slide Over. It also supports Apple Pencil features like Scribble, which lets you handwrite text in any text field. The iPad Pro is also compatible with a wide range of apps, including creative apps like Procreate and Adobe Photoshop, productivity apps like Microsoft Office, and entertainment apps like Netflix and Apple TV+. The combination of powerful hardware, versatile accessories, and a robust operating system makes the iPad Pro a highly capable and versatile device.
Is the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation) Still Worth It?
So, the big question: is the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation) still worth buying in today's market? The answer is a resounding yes, especially if you can find it at a good price. While newer models have been released since, the 4th generation iPad Pro still holds its own in terms of performance and features. The A12Z Bionic chip is still incredibly powerful and can handle most tasks with ease. The Liquid Retina display is still stunning, and the ProMotion technology makes everything look and feel incredibly smooth. The camera system is still capable, and the LiDAR Scanner is still a unique and useful feature. Of course, there are some advantages to buying a newer model. Newer models have faster processors, brighter displays, and more advanced camera systems. However, these improvements may not be worth the extra cost for everyone. If you're on a budget, the 4th generation iPad Pro is an excellent option that offers a great balance of performance, features, and value. It's perfect for students, creatives, and anyone who wants a premium tablet experience without breaking the bank. Plus, you can often find great deals on used or refurbished models, making it an even more attractive option. Just be sure to check the battery health and overall condition before you buy.
Conclusion
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation) remains a top-tier tablet that offers a compelling blend of power, beauty, and versatility. Its stunning display, blazing-fast performance, and innovative features make it a great choice for anyone looking for a premium tablet experience. While newer models are available, the 4th generation iPad Pro still offers excellent value, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. Whether you're a creative professional, a student, or simply someone who enjoys using a high-quality tablet, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation) is definitely worth considering. So go ahead, do your research, compare prices, and see if this amazing tablet is the right fit for you. You won't be disappointed!