Apple's new 11- & 12.9-inch iPad Pros sport a massive redesign and gain Face ID, USB-C

Posted:
in iPad edited January 2020
Apple has revealed major changes to the iPad Pro lineup, with new models sporting an iPhone X-inspired design with near edge-to-edge displays, as well as the removal of the Home button in favor of using Face ID.

Apple CEO Tim Cook presenting the new iPad Pro
Apple CEO Tim Cook presenting the new iPad Pro


The new models, all running on iOS 12, depart from the previous design language used in the iPad and earlier iPad Pro models, with the large bezels replaced by a thinner version, giving the impression of the screen taking up more room on the front of each tablet.

In order to enable the almost edge-to-edge design, Apple has removed the Home button from the front of the iPad Pro. As its replacement, Face ID performs authentication, as well as providing the same Animoji and MeMoji functionality as the iPhone X, while similar gestures to unlock and access other elements have made the transition from the smaller screen.

Unlike the implementation used on the iPhone X and iPhone XS, the TrueDepth camera system is not housed within a notch at the top. Instead, there is enough of a bezel around the edge to allow for the camera array to be installed without encroaching into the main display area.

The move to the iPad has led to changes in the way Face ID functions, with it now able to recognize the user's face regardless of its orientation. The removal of Touch ID has also led to it using the gestures introduced with the iPhone X, including swiping up to return to the Home screen.

The two new iPad Pro models side-by-side
The two new iPad Pro models side-by-side


In terms of size, the larger 12.9-inch model keeps its screen dimensions but gains a smaller enclosure, while the 10.5-inch version has been increased to 11 inches, with the bezel changes allowing it to fit in within the same-sized body without majorly changing the case dimensions. Both models are 5.9mm thick, with the size changes now making the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 25 percent smaller in terms of volume, while the 11-inch version weighs just one pound.

The screens are LCD Liquid Retina displays with rounded corners, using the same pixel masking techniques as used on the iPhone XR, as well as a new backlight design. Support for wide color, True-Tone, and the 120Hz ProMotion technology are also included.

Powering the two models is the all new A12X Bionic, produced on a 7-nanometer process and consisting of 10 billion transistors. The 8-cores onboard include four performance cores and four for efficiency, with single core performance up 35 percent and multi-core workloads 90 percent faster. Apple claims the iPad Pros are faster than 92 percent of all portable PCs sold in the last year.

Apple's on-stage list of specifications for the new iPad Pro models
Apple's on-stage list of specifications for the new iPad Pro models


The apple-designed graphics processing of the iPad Pros consists of a 7-core GPU, which is said to be a thousand times faster than previously. It is said to be the equivalent of the graphics of an Xbox One S, in a product that's 94-percent smaller.

The chip also uses the latest generation of neural engine, capable of 5 trillion operations per second.

A major change to the iPad Pro line is the change from using a Lightning port to USB-C. The change enables the iPad Pro to connect to data accessories and 5K displays at the same time. It is also possible to charge out from the iPad Pro to another device using USB-C, so an iPhone could be recharged by being connected over USB-C.

Using USB-C to connect the iPad Pro to a camera and a display
Using USB-C to connect the iPad Pro to a camera and a display


While the new models switch the front 7-megapixel camera for a similar-resolution TrueDepth camera, the back version is still a 12-megapixel shooter, equipped with Smart HDR, a quad-LED True Tone flash, and an f/1.8 aperture. It continue to be able to record 4K video at up to 60fps, with 120fps at 1080p and 240fps at 720p slo-mo video options.

The new models continue to use four speakers for audio, this time with woofer and tweeter pairs. There is also Gigabit-class LTE connectivity, as well as eSIM support for cellular network access.

Supplying power to the iPad Pros is an 18-Watt USB-C adapter, one that Apple was previously rumored to be working on, but doesn't appear to be available separately from the devices. Battery life is rated at 10 hours for both models.

The new iPad Pro models are available in 64-gigabyte, 256-gigabyte, 512-gigabyte, and 1 terabyte storage capacities, in a choice of Silver and Space Gray finishes. The range starts from $799 for the lowest-capacity 11-inch model with Wi-Fi, rising to $949 for the Wi-Fi+ Cellular model, and up to $1,699 for both cellular and a 1-terabyte capacity. The 12.9-inch versions start from $999 and $1,149 for Wi-Fi and cellular variants respectively at the smallest capacity, increasing to $1,899 for 1 terabyte of storage and cellular connectivity.

Pre-orders began shortly after the event concluded, with orders shipping as soon as November 7.

AppleInsider is at the "There's more in the making" event live, where we expect new iPad Pros, and maybe even new Macs! Keep up with our coverage by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 136
    asciiascii Posts: 5,936member
    I'm excited to see some independent benchmarks of that amazing CPU, seems like the most exciting thing so far today.
    SpamSandwichjbdragonmagman1979doozydozen
  • Reply 2 of 136
    Wow, A12X is a beast. I wasn't expecting an 8 core CPU with 4 big cores.
    tmaySpamSandwichjbdragonmagman1979doozydozen
  • Reply 3 of 136
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,821member
    USB-C for external accessories should be interesting.
    williamlondonSpamSandwichsupadav03magman1979
  • Reply 4 of 136
    asciiascii Posts: 5,936member
    Amazing iPad. With an Apple bluetooth keyboard and an external monitor, all it would need is Xcode to replace my Mac.
    williamlondontmaySpamSandwichdaveinpublicmagman1979
  • Reply 5 of 136
    Can multiple people use face ID to log in to this often shared device?
  • Reply 6 of 136
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,090member
    So finally, an iOS device using USBc.  Bittersweet, but necessary.  Finally just one cable.

    This iPad is a beast.
    williamlondontmaySpamSandwichdaveinpublicmagman1979
  • Reply 7 of 136
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    That basketball game was insane. 😳

    StrangeDaysdaventmayrazorpitchiadoozydozen
  • Reply 8 of 136
    asciiascii Posts: 5,936member
    sflocal said:
    So finally, an iOS device using USBc.  Bittersweet, but necessary.  Finally just one cable.

    This iPad is a beast.
    Yep but the question I have is will the iPhone be next, or is the iPad just getting it because they want people to use it as a computer replacement?
    razorpit
  • Reply 9 of 136
    I’m almost terrified to see the price of these new iPads. 
    magman1979teonyc
  • Reply 10 of 136
    sflocal said:
    So finally, an iOS device using USBc.  Bittersweet, but necessary.  Finally just one cable.

    This iPad is a beast.
    I’m going to hate it but I hope the iPhone follows, seems dumb not to roll the iPhone to USB-C also. 
  • Reply 11 of 136
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    sflocal said:
    So finally, an iOS device using USBc.  Bittersweet, but necessary.  Finally just one cable.

    This iPad is a beast.
    Finally one cable for what? You’ll still need dongles to use Lightning accessories, and the iPhone is still Lightning. Maybe for the MacBooks and iPad, but I typically don’t use both together.
    edited October 2018
  • Reply 12 of 136
    asciiascii Posts: 5,936member
    How much RAM will it have, more than 4?
    doozydozen
  • Reply 13 of 136
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    Seems like the 100 year old headphone jack is gone? But still on the brand new MacBook Air!

    Professional audio producers will likely be skipping the iPad Pro, or invest in a lot of dongles ...
    edited October 2018 dysamoria
  • Reply 14 of 136
    Can it lay flat without a case? That’d be a good feature too. 
    Great iPad but at $1,100 for a cellular, 256GB, I’ll have to pass for now. 
    edited October 2018
  • Reply 15 of 136
    ascii said:
    How much RAM will it have, more than 4?

    Apple never says how much RAM is in an iOS device.
    dhawkins541doozydozen
  • Reply 16 of 136
    Ok. Apple nailed the iPad Pro. They really are listening to us musicians and other creative pros. Everything they added is exactly what we needed. Lightening was too slow as an I/O. It limited how much audio I could stream. USB-C can pass 100s of audio streams, especially with that A12x! 

    A12x, USB-C, and what they did what the Apple Pencil! Yeah baby. Now, how much? I’m worried. $1,500 loaded? 


    racerhomie3magman1979patchythepiratedoozydozen
  • Reply 17 of 136

    mac_128 said:
    Seems like the headphone jack is gone?
    Personally, I hope so. I use an audio interface anyway cause those cheap 3.5mm parts are just not up to pro studio quality in terms of ruggedness. 3.5mm is a nightmare in recording studios and live venues. 
    StrangeDayskruegduderacerhomie3supadav03magman1979patchythepiratedoozydozen
  • Reply 18 of 136
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    Ok. Apple nailed the iPad Pro. They really are listening to us musicians and other creative pros. Everything they added is exactly what we needed. Lightening was too slow as an I/O. It limited how much audio I could stream. USB-C can pass 100s of audio streams, especially with that A12x! 

    A12x, USB-C, and what they did what the Apple Pencil! Yeah baby. Now, how much? I’m worried. $1,500 loaded? 


    Except they removed the headphone jack. More dongles. I know of no musicians asking for that. Lightning wasn’t the issue, as it can support USB 3 speeds, just Apple limiting it. But USB-C is more universal for a device positioned as a PC replacement.
    edited October 2018
  • Reply 19 of 136
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,821member
    mac_128 said:
    Seems like the 100 year old headphone jack is gone? But still on the brand new MacBook Air!

    Professional audio producers will likely be skipping the iPad Pro, or invest in a lot of dongles ...
    I'd imagine pro audio producers will be using digital I/O transfers rather than analog. But your "concern" over a problem you do not have has been noted.
    edited October 2018 ericthehalfbeetmayJWSCpatchythepiratedoozydozen
  • Reply 20 of 136
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    So, next year’s iPhone?

    Will they move to USB-C, or will the port vanish altogether?



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