Review of Apple iPad (2018): a tablet of national importance

Equipment and first impressions

The box with the Apple iPad 2020 has not changed, everything inside is also familiar - a tablet, a charger with a removable “spout”, a cable, pieces of paper and stickers. With it, you immediately want to buy, if not a case (careful users can do without it), then at least a Smart Cover. He obviously won't be redundant. And if the user previously had one, he should work with the new model.

You shouldn't expect new impressions from the unpacking process; it's still the same familiar iPad. Except that now it’s a little easier to set up if the user has an iPhone. As with other iOS devices, it is enough to hold them close, after which, using the camera and a special picture on the screen, the devices recognize each other and this way the user will gain access to the Apple ID on the new tablet. It’s very convenient because it doesn’t require entering a password or confirming two-factor authentication.

Which is not very cool

• Screen with an air gap and an average oleophobic coating
• Plump body
• The surcharge for LTE support is too high, you have to pay 10,000 rubles for the SIM card tray in the tablet

The recommended retail price of the Appe iPad is 24,990 rubles for the version with 32 GB of memory, the model with 128 GB costs 31,990 rubles. The modification with 32 GB and LTE costs 34,990 rubles, and with 128 GB and LTE it costs 41,990 rubles.

We would like to thank the friendliest gadget store Biggeek.ru for providing us with the Apple iPad (2018) tablet for testing!

My email just in case:

Design and usability

This appearance of Apple's tablet has been familiar to us since the release of the iPad Air in 2013. Since then, only the name has changed, because everything else has remained the same. The design, display diagonal and frames around it, case materials, location of buttons and connectors, Touch ID - everything is the same as before. Those who have used such a tablet for a long time will not see any difference.

In use, the new iPad provides the same level of comfort as previous models. The only thing I still think it needs is a Smart Cover. The tablet is quite large and weighs almost half a kilogram, which is why the stand will be very useful, and protecting the display will help prevent damage to the glass during transportation. The Smart Connector is still a Pro-version privilege, and the proprietary iPad keyboard is not yet available. But if you really want to, you can get some third-party solution if necessary.

What caught my eye in the appearance of the new model was the shade of the “golden” case. Although it is still called Gold, it looks more like Rose Gold to me, and in certain lighting it can even resemble bronze. Previously, the shade was different, it is different on other models. This can be seen even on the manufacturer’s website. Other colors must be identical.

Overall, this is the good old iPad that we are used to. Only, after so many years, it could use a fresher design and compact size, but Apple reserved this for older models, which are sold at a higher price.

Classic shapes

That's all? Yes, this is the upgrade that came out in 2020. Therefore, if you bought a tablet of the previous generation, you will not experience surprise and delight; in fact, everything is the same. And why? No ideas? Perhaps Apple has developed the most convenient concept for itself: we invest in design once, come up with a beautiful thing, and then use this form for several years.

In fact, the iPad 2020 is a slightly modified body of the first-generation iPad Air, and it appeared almost five years ago, in 2013. Time flies! Years go by, and Apple has reserved all the major changes in appearance for the thin iPad Pro, while the “just” iPad remains a weighty tablet with a 9.7-inch Retina screen and an air gap. Yes, they didn’t improve the screen, but it’s a pity, since there would have been a tangible reason for an upgrade from a previous generation tablet. The quality of the picture is inferior to the Pro ones, but when you see the price of the iPad 2020, the questions disappear on their own; after all, this is a mass-produced tablet with a large screen and an affordable price, and not a competitor to the initial versions of MacBooks.

iPad 2020 display

The first iPad came with a 9.7-inch screen. Eight years later, this parameter has not changed, except that the side frames have become narrower. There are no new characteristics yet, everything is the same as in the previous several models with Retina displays - 2048 × 1536 pixels, pixel density - 264 ppi, aspect ratio - 4:3.

The screen has not been updated - the IPS matrix still looks great, but does not support DCI-P3, True Tone, or 120 Hz. Although you can see the picture in the sun, the absence of a polarizing layer is also noticeable. But if the tablet is used mainly indoors, then it will be difficult to find fault with it. The only bonus that the new model gets is support for a proprietary stylus.

Other Features

The iPad Air can be considered innovative in terms of introducing a new fingerprint scanner. The developers have built Touch ID into the device lock button at the end of the tablet.

Only the first reviews and operating experience will show the convenience of such a solution. A noticeable disadvantage immediately arises - using the iPad Air with a case covering the button will be inconvenient.

iPad Pro has a more advanced and time-tested Face ID user identification system. Unlike the iPhone, it works in both portrait and landscape orientation. There will definitely be no problems with unlocking and confirming transactions.

The tablet is equipped with four speakers versus two on the Air, which makes the sound more spacious.

Both models feature a Wi-Fi 6 module (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) with support for MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0 and eSIM. Both gadgets have a USB-C port for connecting accessories, a Smart Connector, and support Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio keyboards, as well as the 2nd generation Apple Pencil.

Who has more features: in favor of the professional model is the presence of Face ID and four speakers. Otherwise the devices are very similar.

Apple Pencil

With the arrival of the iPad for professionals, the company also showed off the Apple Pencil. This was clearly expected by users of creative professions, those who like to take notes and sketches by hand, as well as children. Only if earlier you needed an iPad Pro for such tasks, now a regular iPad works with the “pencil”. Of course, there won’t be a stylus in the box, but it’s quite expensive – $99. In our case, this is a third of the price of the tablet itself.

A quick acquaintance did not show any noticeable difference in working with previous models. There are various videos on the Internet with direct comparisons; some show a slight delay, some say they don't see any difference. According to subjective feelings, the stylus works great and is perfect for taking notes, drawing diagrams and other sketches. But because of the air gap, you can see how the “pencil” is a little “hovering in the air,” which is not the case with the Pro. Honestly, if you don’t pay attention to this, then the user won’t really see it. Although, I think professionals could find more shortcomings in the work.

There is support for Apple Pencil: it's still a cool accessory

How many heated debates there were around the “Apple” stylus, remember? Most people unhappy with this accessory simply couldn't afford it or didn't have an iPad Pro. Now everything is different.

With the release of the iPad 2020, Apple's creative accessory may become truly in demand. I used this stylus and I want to warn you: you quickly get used to it.

The simplest example of using Apple Pencil is coloring. There are many applications in the App Store that offer coloring of drawings. And don't look at me like that. It's relaxing, I recommend it.

Apple Pencil can be a pencil, a pen, a felt-tip pen, or even a real brush—it's limited by the owner's imagination and skills.

You can turn your tablet into a real easel, since the App Store has a bunch of drawing programs. I sincerely envy all the artists who know how to turn a white canvas into a colorful original drawing. This is not about me, so I won’t show my efforts here.

If drawing isn't your thing, Apple Pencil can be used to make notes on documents, write texts by hand, sketch, and write comments on screenshots.

I still can’t get used to the fact that you can write with the Apple Pencil by placing the brush directly on the tablet screen without fear of false clicks.

By the way, the Apple Pencil comes with a special Lightning adapter for charging the accessory, so you don’t need to plug it into the iPad. Many stylus haters don't know about this.

The only negative is that every time you touch the screen with the stylus, you hear a dull sound , as if you are knocking on an empty box. This is due to the fact that the iPad 2020 has an air gap between the glass and the screen matrix. There is no sound from the iPad Pro because there is no air gap.

Sound

As much as I'd like it, the regular iPad will still have to wait for stereo speakers on different sides of the screen. While the iPhone already knows how to connect a speaker and at least somehow reproduce stereo, and the Pro version of the tablet even more so has four, the regular iPad still has the same two speakers on the bottom end.

They sound good and are suitable for most situations, but watching movies/TV series/etc. with sound only on the right or left it’s not entirely convenient. But there is also a headphone jack and a wireless connection. However, stereo sound at the moment, as it seems to me personally, is simply a must-have for a modern tablet. Especially if it is one of the best gadgets on the market.

iPad 8: accessories

Accessories expand the functionality of the iPad. The tablet works with the full-size Smart Keyboard and keyboards from Logitech, such as the Combo Touch with trackpad (pictured above) and the Rugged Combo, which is very important for schoolchildren.

Works great with Apple Pencil, which has become an indispensable tool for taking notes and journaling. And the new iPadOS 14 operating system takes the Apple Pencil to a whole new level:

• You can work with handwritten text as with printed text. The system perfectly understands what you write by hand, allowing you to perform quick actions with one touch;
• When creating a sketch, shape recognition helps you draw perfect circles, stars and other shapes;
• smart selection understands the difference between handwritten letters and drawings, allowing you to select the desired fragment and insert handwritten notes as typed text into another application (Messages);
• compact user interface helps you focus on the task;
• The Freehand feature lets you write text in any field, even a Numbers table, or add your own thought to the document you're working on.

With iPadOS 14, using Apple Pencil has become even more convenient. Handwriting recognition and note-taking, along with other new features, further enhance iPad's capabilities.

Performance and software

“The filling” is the second big difference between this model and the previous one. But nothing radically new has appeared in the iPad, it’s just that now the A10 chip, which was installed in the iPhone 7, is responsible for performing tasks. There are only 2 gigabytes of RAM, and the drives are available in 32 and 128 GB options. For communication, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (still 4.2) still remain; as a bonus, there are models with LTE.

The test results are familiar, and the overall behavior of the device is very good. But two gigabytes of memory may sometimes not be enough when you need to switch between a large number of applications. But it is unlikely that the average user will encounter any inconveniences, because even the latest chip can still cope with ordinary tasks. At the same time, even heavy games do not heat up the case much, providing the best possible picture quality.

iOS 11 has made the iPad a little more unique, with some surprises in how it operates and looks even for an iPhone user. In my short time with the device, I did not encounter any critical problems or unexpected errors, except that Spotlight worked with a slight “ping” and can still twitch and “think.”

iPad 7 generation review

Finishing

• Silver
• Gold
• Gray Space

Capacity1

• Internet Wi-Fi Internet 32GB
• 128GB

Size and weight2

• Internet Wi-Fi Internet Height: 9.4 inches (240 mm)
• Width: 6.6 inches (169.5 mm)
• Depth: 0.29 inches (7.5 mm)
• Weight: 1.03 kg (469 g)

Buttons and connectors

• Home/Touch ID Sensor
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Lightning connector
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• On/Off, Sleep/Wake
• Volume up/down
• Nano SIM tray (cellular model)

Connector

• Lightning

In field

• iPad
• Lightning to USB cable
• USB power adapter

Display

• Retina display
• 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit IPS touchscreen display
• 2048-by-1536 pixel resolution at 264 PPI
• Fingerprint resistant oleophobic coating

Chip

• A9 chip with 64-bit architecture
• Built-in M9 coprocessor

Cameras

• 8 megapixel camera
• Live Photos
• Autofocus
• Panorama (up to 43 megapixels)
• HDR for photos
• Exposure control
• Burst mode
• Click to Focus
• Timer mode
• aperture ƒ/2.4
• Five-element lens
• Hybrid IR cut filter
• Backlit
• Automatic image stabilization
• Face recognition
• Photo geotagging

Record Video

• 1080p HD video recording (30 fps)
• Slow motion mode (120 fps)
• Time-lapse mode with stabilization
• Video image stabilization
• Face recognition
• 3x video zoom
• Geotagging Videos

FaceTime HD camera

• 1.2 megapixel photos
• Live Photos
• ƒ/2.2 aperture
• Retina Flash
• 720p HD video recording
• Backlit
• HDR for photos and videos
• Face recognition
• Burst mode
• Exposure control
• Timer mode

Video Calls3

• Internet Wi-Fi Internet FaceTime video
• iPad to any FaceTime-enabled device via Wi-Fi Internet

Call Sound3

• Internet Wi-Fi Internet FaceTime audio
• iPad to any FaceTime-enabled device via Wi-Fi Internet

Cellular and Wireless

• Internet Wi-Fi model
  Yes Wi‑Fi yes (802.11 a/b/g/N/AC); two bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz); HT80 with MIMO Bluetooth 4.2 technology
• Internet Wi-Fi + cellular model
  Yes Wi‑Fi yes (802.11 a/b/g/N/AC); two bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz); HT80 with MIMO Bluetooth 4.2 technology Supports UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC technology in Canada (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/edge (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) CDMA EV-does REV. and roar. B (800, 1900 MHz) LTE (bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41)4 Data only5 Internet Wi-Fi calling4 Includes Apple SIM Learn more about Apple SIM cards

SIM cards

• Nano‑SIM (Apple SIM card support)

Location

• Internet Wi-Fi Internet Digital compass
• Internet Wi-Fi Internet
• in iBeacon microlocation

Sensors

• Touch ID
• Three-axis gyroscope
• Accelerometer
• Barometer
• Light sensor

Touch ID

• Fingerprint ID sensor built into the Home button

Apple Paid

• Pay from your iPad using Touch ID in apps and on the website
• Send and receive money in Messages

Learn more about Apple Pay

Siri6

• Use your voice to send messages, set reminders and more
• Use your hands free
• Listening to and recognizing songs

More about Siri

Power and battery7

• Internet Wi-Fi Internet Built-in 32.4 Wh lithium polymer battery
• Up to 10 hours of surfing the Internet via Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music
• Charging via power adapter or USB from computer

Operating system

iOS 11 With new features and capabilities that let you get more done quickly and easily, iOS 11 makes iPad more powerful, personal, and smarter than ever. See what's new in iOS 11

Availability

Opportunities to help people with disabilities get the most out of their new iPad. With built-in support for vision, hearing, physical and motor skills, learning and literacy, you can create and do amazing things. To learn more

Features include:

• Off-screen
• Zoom
• Magnifier
• Siri and dictation
• Control Switch
• Subtitles
• AssistiveTouch
• They Speak On Screen

Built-in Applications

• Cameras
• Photo
• Messages
• Facetime
• Mail
• Music
• Safari
• Cards
• Siri
• Calendar
• iTunes store
• App Store
• Notes
• Contacts
• in iBooks
• At home
• Reminders
• Watch
• TV
• News
• Photo Booth
• Podcasts
• Find my iPhone
• Find My Friends
• Files

Free Apple8 apps

Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie and GarageBand and iTunes come pre-installed on iPad.

• Pages
• Numbers
• Basic
• in iMovie
• In GarageBand
• on iTunes U and
• Apple Store
• Trailers
• Remote
• Music Aviso
• Clips
• Swift Venues

System requirements

• From an Apple ID (required for some features)
• Internet access9

Syncing with iTunes on Mac or PC requires:

• For Mac: OS X 10.9.5 or later
• PC: Windows 7 or later
• iTunes 12.5 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download)

Languages

• Language support
  English (Australia, UK, USA), Chinese (Simplified, Traditional, Hong Kong Traditional), French (Canada, France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish (Latin America, Mexico, Spain), Arabic, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Malay, German, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
• QuickType keyboard support with
  English (Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, UK, US), Chinese - Simplified (Character, Pinyin, Stroke), Chinese - Traditional (Cangjie, Handwritten, Pinyin, Stroke, Sucheng, Zhuyin), French (Belgium , Canada, France, Switzerland), German (Austria, Germany, Switzerland), Italian, Japanese (Kana, Romaji), Korean, Spanish (Latin America, Mexico, Spain), Arabic (Modern Standard, Najdi), Armenian, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Bengali, Bulgarian, Catalan, Cherokee, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Smileys, Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, Flemish, Georgian, Greek, Gujarati, Hawaiian, Hebrew, Hindi (Devanagari, Transliteration), Hinglish, Hungarian, Icelandic , Indonesian, Irish, German, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Malayalam, Maori, Marathi, German, Norwegian, Odia, Persian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal), Croatian, Romanian, Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic, Latin) , Slovak, Slovenian, Swahili, Swedish, Tamil (Script, Transliterations), Telugu, Thai, Tibetan, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Welsh
• QuickType Predictive Keyboard support with
  English (Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, UK, US), Chinese (Simplified, Traditional), French (Belgium, Canada, France, Switzerland), German (Austria, Germany, Switzerland), Italian , Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish (Latin America, Mexico, Spain), Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal), Thai, Turkish
• Siri languages
  ​​English (Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK, USA), Spanish (Chile, Spain, Mexico, USA), French (Belgium, Canada, France, Switzerland), German (Austria , Germany, Switzerland), Italian (Italy, Switzerland), Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (Mainland China, Taiwan), Chinese Cantonese (Mainland China, Hong Kong), Arabic (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates), Danish (Denmark), Dutch (Belgium, Netherlands), Finnish (Finland), Hebrew (Israel), Malay (Malaysia), Norwegian (Norway), Portuguese (Brazil), Russian (Russia), Swedish (Sweden), Thai (Thailand), Turkish (Turkey)
• Dictation languages
  ​​English (Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, USA), Spanish (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, USA), French (Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland), German (Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland), Italian (Italy, Switzerland), Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (Mainland China, Taiwan), Chinese Cantonese (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau), Arabic (Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates), Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch (Belgium, Netherlands), Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi (India), Hungarian, Indonesian, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Shanghai (China), Slovak, , Turkish , Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Swedish, Thai
• Dictionary support
  English, Chinese (Simplified, Traditional), Danish, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish
• Supports bilingual dictionaries
  Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
• Spell check
  English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Turkish

Play Audio

• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
• Supported audio formats: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), protected AAC (from the iTunes store), on-in AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR discs, Dolby digital (AC-3) , Dolby digital plus (e-AC-3), Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, audio enhanced audio, AAX and AAX+), Apple lossless, AIFF and WAV
• User adjustable maximum volume

TV and video

• AirPlay video replay; Output photos, audio, and video to Apple TV (2nd generation or later)
• Video mirroring and video output support: up to 1080p when using a digital AV adapter and lightning to VGA adapter (adapters sold separately)
• Supported video format: H.264 video up to 4K, 30 fps, high profile level 4.2 with AAC‑LC in audio up to 160 Kbps, 48 ​​kHz, stereo audio and Dolby audio up to 1008 Kbps, 48 ​​kHz, stereo or multi-channel audio, in .m4, .MP4, and .mov formats; MPEG‑4 video up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 x 480 pixels, 30 fps, simple profile with AAC‑LC in audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48 kHz, stereo audio or Dolby audio up to 1008 Kbps c, 48 kHz, stereo or multi-channel audio, in .m4, .mp4, and .mov file formats; motion jpeg (m‑jpeg) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 x 720 pixels, 30 fps, ulaw audio, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format

Mail Support

• Supports viewing documents of the following types
  : JPG format, Tiff format, GIF format (images); .DOC and .DOCX (Microsoft word) files; .HTM and .HTML (web pages); .key (main); .digits(numbers); .page(s); .PDF format (Preview and Adobe Acrobat versions); .PPT and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt(text); .in RTF (rich text) format; .VCF filter (contact information); .XLS and .XLSX file (for Microsoft Excel, etc.); .zip; .SVK

Environmental Requirements

• Operating Ambient Temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
• Storage Temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
• Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
• Operating Altitude: Tested to 10,000 ft (3,000 m)

1. The available space is increasingly smaller and varies depending on many factors. The standard configuration uses approximately 8 to 11 GB of space (including iOS and pre-installed apps), depending on model and settings. Pre-installed apps use around 4GB and you can uninstall these apps and restore them.
2. Size and weight vary depending on configuration and manufacturing process.
3. FaceTime calls require a FaceTime-enabled device for the caller and recipient and a Wi-Fi connection. Availability of FaceTime over cellular networks varies by carrier; data fees may apply.
4. Data plan required. LTE and Wi-Fi calling are available in some markets and through select carriers. Speeds are based on theoretical throughput and may vary depending on local conditions and carrier. For detailed information about LTE network support, contact your operator and see www.apple.com/ipad/LTE.
5. Cellular plan must be purchased separately. The model you purchase is configured to work with a specific cellular network technology. Check with your carrier for compatibility and cellular plan availability.
6. Siri may not be available in all languages ​​or areas, and features may vary by region. Internet access required. Data charges may apply.
7. Testing conducted by Apple in February 2020 using preproduction iPad (9.7-inch) units and software. Testing included draining the battery completely while performing the following tasks: playing video, playing audio, and browsing the Internet over Wi-Fi or cellular data. The video was a 2 hour 23 minute repeat video purchased from the iTunes store. The audio content was a playlist of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes store. Internet over Wi-Fi and cellular data network tests were conducted using a dedicated web server and mail server, simulating viewing 20 popular versions of a snapshot of a web page and receiving mail once an hour. All settings are default except the following: Wi‑Fi Internet was connected to a network (except for surfing the Internet via a cellular data network); Wi‑Fi module disabled; request to connect to networks and automatic brightness adjustment disabled; brightness was set to 50%; WPA2 encryption is enabled. Battery life depends on device settings, usage conditions and many other factors. Battery testing was carried out on specific iPad samples; actual results may vary.
8. iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers and Keynote are available in the app store. An Apple ID and device compatible iOS version are required for each app to download apps.
9. Broadband wireless connection recommended; charges may apply.

Some features may not be available in all countries or areas. Click here to see the full list.

Autonomy

The capacity of the built-in battery has not changed - 8827 mAh. The stated operating time of 10 hours of browsing may well be true, because in the PCMark test the tablet worked for almost 9 hours. This is an excellent result. The iPad is, in principle, one of the few devices that is really close to the autonomy figures declared by the manufacturers. But difficult tasks will naturally worsen the result.

The disadvantage of such a battery is that it will take a very long time to charge it. The complete charger will take more than four hours to completely fill the battery. That is, before a long flight, you should charge the device in advance, so that later you don’t have to look for sockets and/or empty power banks.

Review of the second generation Apple iPad Pro 11″ (2020) tablet

Features and prices

Epidemics are epidemics, and new devices are on schedule. Less than a month has passed since the updated iPad Pro reached Russia. You could read a general story about the features of the 2020 models here, so we’ll skip long introductions and get straight to studying the new product. The most interesting thing is to figure out how much better the new Apple A12Z Bionic SoC is than the Apple A12X Bionic, and whether there is any point in having two cameras and a LiDAR scanner.

For clarity, we decided to collect the main characteristics of the iPad Pro of the new and previous generations. Since an 11-inch model arrived for testing, we will compare it with a device of a similar diagonal from 2018. Note that the 12.9-inch iPad Pro differs only in screen diagonal, dimensions and battery capacity.

So, the differences: processor (although for a mysterious reason it did not receive a new number), minimum storage capacity (128 GB instead of 64 GB), two cameras instead of one (an ultra-wide-angle one was added), support for Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) appeared, a scanner appeared LiDAR spaces.

Packaging and equipment

The design of the box is made in the traditional design for the iPad Pro series: almost the entire outer surface of the box is filled with an image of the tablet with the screen turned on.

Inside the box we will find the traditional set: a USB-C cable (at both ends), an 18 W charger (5 V 3 A or 9 V 2 A) and an envelope with leaflets, one of which has a SIM card ejector clip attached to it.

Separately, we note that this charger also charges iPhones very quickly, but for this you need to have a USB-C to Lightning cable. In turn, the iPad can also be charged by charging from a MacBook.

Design

If you look at the new iPad Pro from the front, you won’t see any differences from the previous generation model. This is still a minimalist rectangular body with rounded corners and almost equal-width frames around the screen.

The set of buttons and connectors, as well as their location, are again identical. The photo below shows two generations of iPad Pro. It is clearly visible that their right side is absolutely the same.

The back side is another matter. Here you can see the only - but important - difference. This is the camera block. Previously, there was only one camera, and the flash was located under it as a separate element. Now there are two cameras, and together with the flash and LiDAR scanner they are placed on a protruding square “platform” made of dark mirror glass.

Let's take a closer look at it. In the photo below, both cameras are clearly visible (they, with their metal rims, still rise a little above the level of the “platform”), the light circle in the upper right corner is the flash, the small dark circle at the bottom is the microphone, and between them is the LiDAR scanner. It is needed to measure the distance to surrounding objects.

Let us repeat: this is the only external difference between the new product and the previous generation. Everything else - buttons, connectors, the case itself - remains the same. There are also stereo speakers on the bottom and top.

Despite the identical location of the connector for the Smart Folio keyboard cover, unfortunately, it will not be possible to use its model from the previous version of the tablet - precisely because of the protruding block with cameras. But there is a version on sale specifically for the new model - with a corresponding cutout.

In addition, a completely new Magic Keyboard is available - we will devote a separate article to it. But it is also compatible with the previous generation iPad Pro. As for the 2020 model specifically, it can be stated that from a design point of view, the tablet has remained almost the same, although it cannot be confused with its predecessor due to the conspicuous square block of cameras.

Screen

The screen of the new iPad Pro is completely identical in characteristics to its predecessor. However, we considered it necessary to still test it to make sure there are no significant differences, because, as we know, the quality of the screen is determined not only by the resolution and type of matrix.

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are much better than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) screen (hereinafter simply Nexus 7). For clarity, here is a photo in which a white surface is reflected when the screens are turned off (on the left - Nexus 7, on the right - Apple iPad Pro 11″ (2020), then they can be distinguished by size):

The screen of the Apple iPad Pro 11″ (2020) is significantly darker (brightness according to photographs is 51 versus 108 for the Nexus 7). Note that the manufacturer claims a reflection coefficient of 1.8%. The ghosting of reflected objects in the screen of the Apple iPad Pro 11″ (2020) is very weak, this indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen (between the outer glass and the surface of the LCD matrix) (OGS - One Glass Solution type screen). Due to the smaller number of boundaries (glass/air type) with very different refractive indices, such screens look better in conditions of intense external illumination, but their repair in the case of cracked external glass is much more expensive, since the entire screen has to be replaced. The outer surface of the screen has a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, slightly better than the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed more easily and appear at a lower rate than with regular glass.

With manual brightness control and when the white field was displayed in full screen, the maximum brightness value was about 615 cd/m² (which is consistent with the manufacturer’s data - 600 cd/m²), the minimum was 2.8 cd/m². The maximum brightness is very high, and, given the excellent anti-glare properties, readability even on a sunny day outdoors will be at a good level. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable value. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on light sensors (in portrait orientation, they are located on the front panel above the screen itself on the right and left; the readings of the one that produces a higher value are used).

In automatic mode, when external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases (with a slight hysteresis of the established values ​​for intermediate lighting conditions). The operation of this function depends on the position of the brightness adjustment slider - the user uses it to set the desired brightness level for the current conditions. If you don’t change anything, then in complete darkness the brightness drops to 2.8 cd/m² (to a minimum, very dark), in an office illuminated by artificial light (about 550 lux) the screen brightness is set to 145-160 cd/m² (acceptable) , in a very bright environment (corresponding to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or a little more) rises to 615 cd/m² (to the maximum, as needed). We were not entirely satisfied with the result, so in the dark we slightly moved the brightness slider up, and for the three conditions indicated above we got 16, 120-170 and 615 cd/m² (ideal). It turns out that the auto-brightness function works adequately, and it is possible to adjust the nature of the brightness change to suit the user's requirements. At any brightness level, there is no significant backlight modulation, so there is no screen flicker.

This tablet uses an IPS matrix. The microphotographs show a typical IPS subpixel structure:

For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.

The screen has good viewing angles without significant color shift even with large viewing deviations from perpendicular to the screen and without inverting shades. For comparison, here are photographs in which identical images are displayed on the screens of the Apple iPad Pro 11″ (2020) and Nexus 7, while the brightness of the screens was initially set to approximately 200 cd/m² (across the white field in full screen), and the color balance on the camera forced switched to 6500 K. Perpendicular to the screens there is a white field:

Note the good uniformity of brightness and color tone of the white field (you need to take into account the imperfection of the camera). And a test picture:

Color balance varies slightly, color saturation is normal. Let us remind you that the photograph cannot serve as a reliable source of information about the quality of color rendering and is provided only for conditional visual illustration. The reason is that the spectral sensitivity of the camera sensor does not exactly match this characteristic of human vision. Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen:

It can be seen that the colors did not change much on both screens and the contrast remained at a high level. And a white field:

The brightness at an angle of the screens decreased (at least 5 times, based on the difference in shutter speed), but in the case of the Apple iPad Pro 11″ (2020) the drop in brightness is slightly less. When deviated diagonally, the black field is highlighted very weakly and acquires a purple tint. The photographs below demonstrate this (the brightness of the white areas in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the screens is approximately the same!):

And from another angle:

When viewed perpendicularly, black uniformity is excellent:

The contrast (approximately in the center of the screen) is high - about 1500:1. Black-white-black response time is 23.5 ms (12.5 ms on + 11 ms off). The transition between halftones of gray 25% and 75% (based on the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 38 ms. The gamma curve, constructed using 32 points with equal intervals based on the numerical value of the shade of gray, did not reveal any blockage in either the highlights or the shadows. The exponent of the approximating power function is 2.23, which is close to the standard value of 2.2. In this case, the real gamma curve practically does not deviate from the power-law dependence:

Color gamut is sRGB:

Let's look at the spectra:

Apparently, this screen uses LEDs with a blue emitter and green and red phosphor (usually a blue emitter and a yellow phosphor), which, in combination with special matrix filters, allows for a wide color gamut. Yes, and the red phosphor apparently uses so-called quantum dots. For a consumer device, a wide color gamut is not an advantage, but a significant disadvantage, since as a result, the colors of images - drawings, photographs and films - oriented to the sRGB space (and the vast majority of them) have an unnatural saturation. This is especially noticeable on recognizable shades, such as skin tones. However, in this case, the color gamut is carefully adjusted to the sRGB boundaries. As a result, visually the colors have a natural saturation.

This correction is performed in the case of those images in which the sRGB profile is registered or no profile is registered at all. However, the native color space for today's top Apple devices is Display P3 , with richer greens and reds. Display P3 space is based on SMPTE DCI-P3, but has a D65 white point and a gamma curve of approximately 2.2. In addition, the manufacturer states that starting with iOS 9.3, color management is supported at the system level, this helps iOS applications correctly display images with a specified color profile. Indeed, by supplementing the test images (JPG and PNG files) with the Display P3 profile, we obtained a color gamut wider than sRGB (output in Safari):

Note that the coordinates of the primary colors coincide almost exactly with those specified for the DCI-P3 standard. Let's look at the spectra in the case of test images with the Display P3 :

It can be seen that in this case there is only minimal cross-mixing of components, that is, the original color space for the screen matrix of the Apple iPad Pro 11″ (2020) is almost equal to Display P3.

The balance of shades on the gray scale is good, since the color temperature is close to the standard 6500 K, and the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) is less than 10, which is considered an acceptable indicator for a consumer device. At the same time, color temperature and ΔE change little from hue to hue - this has a positive effect on the visual assessment of color balance. The nature of the change in values ​​from hue to hue indirectly shows that software color correction is used. (The darkest areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)

Of course, this Apple device has the already familiar Night Shift , which makes the picture warmer at night (how much warmer is indicated by the user, in fact it is from 6270 K to 2790 K). For a description of why such a correction can be useful, see the article about the iPad Pro 9.7″. In any case, when having fun with a tablet at night, it is better to reduce the screen brightness to a low, but still comfortable level, and there is no point the Night Shift

True Tone function , which, if enabled, adjusts the color balance to environmental conditions.

For example, we activated it and placed the tablet under LED lights with cool white light, resulting in values ​​of 4.1 for ΔE and 6930 K for color temperature. Under a halogen incandescent lamp (warm light) - 2.7 and 6040 K, that is, the color temperature has become lower. The function works as expected. Note that the current standard is to calibrate display devices to a white point of 6500 K, but in principle, correction for the color temperature of external light can be useful if you want to achieve a better match between the image on the screen and what is visible on paper (or any other device). a medium on which colors are formed by the reflection of incident light) under current conditions.

Let's summarize. The screen has a very high maximum brightness (615 cd/m²) and has excellent anti-glare properties, so the device can be used outdoors without any problems, even on a sunny summer day. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable level (up to 2.8 cd/m²). It is also possible to use a mode with automatic brightness adjustment, which works adequately. The advantages of the screen include an effective oleophobic coating, the absence of an air gap in the layers of the screen and flicker, excellent black stability to the deviation of the gaze from perpendicular to the screen plane, high contrast (1500: 1), excellent uniformity of the black field, as well as support for the sRGB and Display P3 (with the participation of the OS) and good color balance. There are no significant shortcomings. This is currently one of the best displays among all tablets.

Software and features

The model is sold with the latest version of the iPadOS operating system (13.4) pre-installed, and, as we are already accustomed, there are no differences in software from the previous generation iPad Pro. However, it was in this update, the release of which was timed to coincide with the release of the device itself, that the most important innovation appeared: full control using a mouse or trackpad. As we remember, Apple has been moving towards this for a long time and gradually. So, when iPadOS just came out (more precisely, it replaced iOS), there was a hidden ability to activate the cursor, which was made in the form of a circle (we wrote about this in the OS review).

Now this option is fully implemented, and you don’t have to look for it. All you need to do is either connect a mouse or trackpad to your iPad via Bluetooth, or connect it to the latest Magic Keyboard (we'll devote a separate article to it). We used an iPad Pro with Apple TrackPad. In Settings, you can adjust the speed of cursor movement and scroll direction, and also enable touch to simulate pressing.

When the TrackPad is connected, the default cursor appears as a small circle. Unusual, but, as it turns out, quite convenient. However, when you hover over any interface element, the circle can transform, and all this happens even inside the application. For example, if you move it to a list of letters in your email client, the circle will remain a circle, but if you move it to the text of the letter itself, it will turn into a vertical “stick”, with which it is convenient to highlight words and sentences.

If you hover the cursor over one of the buttons, it will disappear, and the entire button will be highlighted in gray.

Gestures familiar to macOS users work great: scrolling with two fingers, swiping horizontally with two fingers, calling the context menu with two fingers at the same time (“right mouse button”), and so on. Thus, the iPad has become a little closer to a laptop.

We emphasize that everything described in this section works not only in the new generation iPad Pro, but also in other iPads that support the latest version of the OS. But only the new product has a LiDAR scanner. And this expands the capabilities of the software. The easiest way to verify this is to run the Roulette app on the previous and new generation iPad Pro.

Above are screenshots (on the left is the old iPad Pro, on the right is the new one). We tried to measure the same object in the apartment from the same point - a ventilation duct. As you can see, the previous iPad Pro completely failed to cope with this matter: obviously, there cannot be any 10 meters here. But the new product showed the exact value. And it works much faster now. The Monster Park AR app also behaved differently on the two devices.

On the old iPad Pro, it only showed a dinosaur, and a huge one at that, and didn't fill the space with greenery. However, in the new iPad Pro the dinosaur turned out to be very small, which is probably also not entirely correct.

Unfortunately, the big problem with almost all AR applications is that they do not take into account the actual surface topography. That is, for example, if you have a stool on the floor, applications do not understand that the virtual character should perceive this stool as an obstacle and, for example, go around it or climb up. It can be assumed that when LiDAR is truly used, this problem will be solved. And then the gaming industry will reach a completely new level: for example, virtual characters will be able to fight in a real interior, hiding behind its elements, climbing on them, and so on.

In addition, the LiDAR scanner is expected to provide entirely new capabilities for 3D modeling applications.

Performance

The new iPad runs on the Apple A12Z Bionic SoC, created using the 7 nm process technology. This single-chip system includes an eight-core 64-bit CPU, with four cores being energy efficient. The maximum frequency of the four other cores is 2.49 GHz. The amount of RAM has not been officially announced, but benchmarks indicate it is 5.5 GB, which is similar to the previous model

The most interesting thing is to understand how the A12Z differs from the A12X. It seems that this is the first time for Apple that when changing generations within the same line, the processor update is indicated only by a letter, and the number remains the same. Our readers have probably seen this news, where it is reported as a hypothesis that the A12Z is ​​the same A12X, only with an unlocked graphics core. Proving this is problematic, but tests can demonstrate whether there really is no increase in processor performance, and whether graphics, on the contrary, have accelerated.

Let's start with browser tests: SunSpider 1.0.2, Octane Benchmark, Kraken Benchmark and JetStream 2 (note that we are now using the second version of JetStream). All tests were performed in Safari and on the same versions of iPadOS: 13.4 (that is, the newest version was installed on the old iPad Pro). Results were rounded to whole numbers.

The results clearly show that if there is a difference between the tablets, it is minimal, literally at the level of measurement error.

Now let's see how the new iPad Pro performs in Geekbench - a multi-platform benchmark that measures the performance of the CPU and RAM, and from the fourth version, also the computing capabilities of the GPU (if you want to mine bitcoins on an iPad, you should be interested in this item :)). Plus, we haven’t forgotten about the comprehensive AnTuTu Benchmark.

But here the picture is more interesting: in all processor tests, the tablets show the same result, but where the GPU is involved, an increase is visible. The increase is not very large, it is far from the usual 30-40 percent, but much less, but it is still objectively there.

The last group of benchmarks is dedicated to testing GPU performance. We usually use 3DMark, GFXBenchmark Metal and Basemark Metal, but in this case we were unable to load GFXBenchmark Metal on any device (the application froze while downloading materials). I must say that the developers gave up on the development of this brainchild a long time ago, and at first we felt it in the desktop version, but now it has become clear that they can no longer test mobile devices. We emphasize that the problem was observed on several Apple devices, and attempts were made on different days.

That leaves 3DMark and Basemark Metal. In the case of the first of them, we are interested in the Ice Storm Unlimited and Sling Shot Extreme modes (results in points).

It is noticeable that the new product has an advantage. True, quite small. It’s difficult to say how noticeable it will be in real projects—most likely, it won’t be at all.

Finally - Basemark Metal (results in points).

Here we note that both tablets hit the ceiling: in the demonstrated scene with a submarine, they both produced 60 fps. So the results can be considered not entirely indicative.

In general, the picture is clear. Apparently, the assumptions that the CPU part of the new SoC A12Z Bionic is completely identical to the A12X Bionic, but there are one more graphics cores, are well founded. At the very least, we observe the absence of any increase in processor performance, but at the same time a small, although undeniable, increase in graphics performance.

Playing video

To test the output of video files on the screen of the device itself, we used a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see “Method for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1 (for mobile devices)”). Screenshots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped determine the nature of the output of frames of video files with various parameters: the resolution varied (1920 by 1080 (1080p) and 3840 by 2160 (4K) pixels) and frame rate (24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 frames/ With). In the tests, we used the Safari browser, from which we launched video files for playback using direct links and switched to full-screen output. Apparently, this tablet has a screen refresh rate increased to 120 Hz, but when playing video files, the refresh rate does not adjust to the frame rate in them. Therefore, in the case of video files with frequencies of 24, 30 and 60 fps, the frame duration is the same, but in the case of files with frequencies of 25 and 50 fps, this is not the case, and the arrow image on the test files shakes due to the variation in frame duration. The brightness range displayed on the screen corresponds to the actual brightness range for the given video file. Note that this tablet has support for hardware decoding of H.265 files with a color depth of 10 bits per color, while gradients are output to the screen with better quality than in the case of 8-bit files. However, this is not proof of 10-bit output. Display of HDR files (HDR10, H.265) is also supported.

This device supports DisplayPort Alt Mode for USB Type-C - outputs image and sound to an external device when connected to a USB port. We tested operation in this mode together with the Dell DA200 adapter adapter. Video output to a Full HD monitor or 4K TV was carried out in 1080p mode at 60 Hz frame rate. Judging by the settings in the tablet, the frame rate and/or resolution can be adjusted to the type of content being played, but in our case this did not happen.

HDR output should also be supported, but apparently the adapter used does not support this feature. There is only one operating mode: simple screen duplication on an external monitor. For some reason, the picture in the case of the monitor was displayed in the center of the display area with black fields around the perimeter. In the case of a TV - inscribed in height with black fields only on the sides. Output in both portrait and landscape orientations is supported. Note that simultaneously with the image output, you can connect a keyboard and mouse to the tablet via USB (or Bluetooth), turning it into a basis for your workplace. The output delay is, however, large, which is slightly annoying. USB storage devices connected to the adapter and even connection to a wired network at a speed of 1 Gbit/s are supported.

When a monitor/TV is connected, video files are displayed in full screen mode usually only on the monitor/TV screen, but sometimes on the tablet screen too. Note that to play video files, it may be more convenient to use the AirPlay function (the TV you were using supported it) - this way you can get output in 4K resolution with HDR. True, you will have to run it every time a file is played, although, it seems, a couple of times we were able to get sequential output of video files without reconnecting AirPlay.

Autonomous operation and heating

It's no surprise that the iPad Pro's battery life is virtually unchanged from the previous generation model. She simply has no reason to change.

We note, however, that we were unable to run our traditional 3D gaming stress test due to GFXBenchmark being unavailable. Although there could be some changes in it, and, most likely, not in favor of the new product, since higher performance, as a rule, means more battery consumption.

Under high loads, the tablet heats up a little, but this cannot cause serious discomfort. Below is a thermal image of the back surface obtained after several runs in a row (about 10 minutes of work) of the Basemark Metal test:

It can be seen that the heating is localized approximately in the center, which corresponds to the location of the SoC chip. According to the heat chamber, the maximum heating was 42 degrees (at an ambient temperature of 24 degrees). However, this test is performed very quickly on the tablet; the time of continuous operation is clearly not enough to warm up the device well.

Work in LTE networks

The tablet will work on almost all LTE networks, and also supports a virtual SIM card Apple SIM (more information about what this is and how to use it is described here). Among Russian operators, virtual SIM cards are offered, for example, by Tinkoff Mobile.

iPad supports hot-swap and SIM-swap (without rebooting), and all the latest LTE and Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). The previous generation iPad Pro did not have Wi-Fi 6.

Camera

For the first time, iPad Pro has two cameras. In principle, this was expected: since everyone has followed this path in smartphones, then in tablets we will see the same trend, albeit with some lag. In this case, the main camera remains the same - the resolution of its module is 12 megapixels. And in addition to it, there is now a 10-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. It remains to understand why this is needed.

Yes, from review to review we wonder what the camera is for in the tablet. For many years now, nothing has come as an answer to this question other than photographing documents. In recent years, tablets have become much friendlier to artists, and now you can, for example, refine a sketch photographed on paper, or photograph a landscape and immediately edit it using a stylus. But still, there are much fewer potential users of such scenarios than in the case of smartphones.

It seems that manufacturers also understand this, which is why the quality of images has not changed at all for several years now. It is far from flagship, but good, especially for document shooting. You can, of course, take pictures of landscapes, but firstly, it is inconvenient, and secondly, there is an iPhone whose camera will cope with these tasks much better. Despite the high detail of the camera, the noise reduction algorithms look outdated compared to the results of the flagship smartphone camera. However, the camera still copes well with everyday tasks.

iPad Pro 2020:

iPad Pro 2019:

The manufacturer's confusion is still felt in the new iPad Pro. It is impossible to ignore the lack of camera development for several years in a row, so instead of quality, you can increase quantity. So now there are two cameras. Obviously, a wide-angle module is not needed to shoot documents. It is suitable for shooting landscapes, but firstly, shooting landscapes with a tablet is inconvenient, and secondly, the detailing of the wide-angle module leaves much to be desired - it only works well in the foreground, and distant plans and the periphery of the frame are very blurry. Probably, the wide-angle module will be improved in future models, since it still has room to grow.

conclusions

Apple has delivered one of the most controversial updates in years. On the one hand, the tablet now has a LiDAR scanner, support for a faster Wi-Fi standard, a second rear camera (ultra-wide-angle) and support for the new and truly excellent Magic Keyboard (we will devote a separate article to this accessory). But both Wi-Fi 6 and LiDAR, with all the promise of these technologies, should be recognized as rather a foundation for the future. For now, only a very small number of users may need both. The same goes for the ultra-wide-angle camera.

But what is noticeable to everyone, namely design and performance, remains virtually unchanged here. Only the GPU speed has increased slightly. But the previous model also had a large margin in this area, so there is almost no chance of feeling the difference here and now in real applications. And both generations will remain relevant for a long time.

What conclusions can be drawn from this? Firstly, there is definitely no point in replacing the previous generation iPad Pro with a new model. Secondly, if you don’t have any iPad Pro yet and are just going to buy it, if there is any noticeable difference in price, you can take the previous model. It is clear that in the official Apple online store the new product simply replaced the previous generation iPad Pro, but resellers have the “old ones” on sale.

At the same time, we understand that in a couple of years the same Wi-Fi 6 will become a general standard. So if Internet speed is critical for you, you should pay attention to the new product. The same applies to those who clearly understand why they need LiDAR and an ultra-wide-angle camera. Both are unique things about tablets.

Cameras

I don’t know a single person who would use a camera in a tablet, but this does not mean that they are not needed there at all. The iPad retained two sensors, but compared to the previous ones, their capabilities remained the same. That is, the resolution of the front camera is still 1.2 MP, and the main one is 8 MP.

For such a device, the main camera takes good pictures even in not the best conditions, and in good lighting it is even more capable of competing with inexpensive smartphones. The maximum video resolution can be Full HD with a recording speed of 30 FPS; if desired, you can make Slo-mo in 720p at 120 FPS. But shooting on a tablet is also inconvenient and will take longer than on a smartphone. And the front camera is more suitable for video communication, but for a selfie that suits it, its capabilities are clearly not enough.

In general, you shouldn’t expect much from both cameras, but if the tablet is at hand and you need to take a photo, you’ll be able to capture something. But, again, the Pro models have more features, like most good smartphones.

Pros:

• good display
• Apple Pencil support,
• excellent performance,
• Touch ID
• iOS is well optimized for a tablet,
• autonomy,
• support for accessories from the previous model

Minuses:

• speakers on one side only,
• 2 GB RAM in 2020

Design and dimensions

The new iPad Air is the first non-pro tablet to feature an updated edge-to-edge design. Most likely, in a couple of years a budget iPad and a compact minivan will achieve this look.

The device is almost indistinguishable from the latest iPad Pro models. If on the back side of the 2020 firmware there is a massive block with a pair of cameras and a LiDAR sensor, then you can easily confuse the new Air with the 2018 Pro model.

Same look with sharp edges, a single camera module on the back of the tablet and no Home button below the display.

This design looks just great. Just for the sake of it, many owners of an iPad 3-5 years ago will want to update their tablet.

Dimensions iPad Air 4: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm. Tablet weight 458 g.

Dimensions iPad Pro 2020: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm. Weight 471 g.

The length and width converge to a millimeter, and the thickness of the “proshka” is slightly less.

Who has the better design and dimensions: the models are almost identical. At the same time, the slightly increased thickness of the iPad Air may even be an advantage.

It is more comfortable to hold such a tablet, the edges cut into your hand less, and there is less chance of bending the tablet. There are also pink, blue and green colors in the Air model range.

Specifications of Apple iPad 2020

OS: iOS 11; screen diagonal: 9.7′; resolution: 2048x1536; matrix type: IPS; Light sensor: yes; RAM: 2 GB; built-in memory: 32 GB; memory expansion slot: -; processor: Apple A10 Fusion; frequency: 1.8 GHz; number of cores: 6; graphics: PowerVR; built-in speakers: yes (stereo); Battery capacity: 32.4 W/h mAh; Battery life: up to 10 hours of web surfing; front camera: 1.2 MP; rear camera: 8 MP, autofocus; ethernet: no; Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; bluetooth: + (4.2); 3G/4G(LTE) module: no; GPS: no; NFC: no; external ports: Lightning, 3.5 mm mini-jack; weight: 469 g; dimensions: 240x169.5x7.5 mm; docking station: no; stylus included: no; more: fingerprint scanner, support for Apple Pencil.

Design of the new iPad 2020

The appearance of the iPad 9.7 has not been changed for a long time. We are offered the same metal body and arrangement of functional elements. The 3.5 mm jack has not been returned and you shouldn't wait for it; most likely, over the next few years it will completely disappear in modern devices.

At the bottom end there is a pair of speakers. which gives a full stereo effect. They did even better with the Pro version of the tablet, in which four speakers play simultaneously. This gives an excellent volume reserve and clear sound that is a pleasure to listen to. At maximum volume on a budget iPad, the sound will not be as pleasant; the sound cannot be compared with the Pro version, but it is good nonetheless. A Lightning connector is located in the center between the speakers, and on the back of the tablet there is a corporate logo in the form of a bitten apple.

A mechanical home button was installed on the front - another difference from the iPad Pro, where it is touch-sensitive. This is a potential drawback since buttons are the most likely to break. It has a first-generation fingerprint scanner built into it, but despite this, recognition is fast and correct. The use of metal as the main material for the case makes it not only more pleasant to the touch, but also protects it in case of a fall. As practice shows, it is practically indestructible on iPads. The body is slightly thicker than that of the iPad Pro, while the weight of the devices is identical. But they feel different in the hands, the Pro version seems more comfortable and fits better in the hand thanks to a thinner body. If you have an old generation iPad, then do not rush to throw away your old accessories, they will all fit the new model, since their sizes are identical.

A magnetic connector for connecting a keyboard case is available exclusively in the Pro version; the manufacturer has endowed it with a wide range of advantages. Therefore, if you need to type a lot on a tablet, then it is better to pay attention to it, otherwise you will have to use a wireless one, which is not so comfortable and drains the battery faster.

The LTE version can be recognized by the black plastic insert at the top, which is needed for high quality communication. Most users simply do not need LTE functions, since they use the tablet mainly at home, connecting to a Wi-Fi network.