iPad Pro 10.5 first thoughts

[AppleRobert]

I cannot put it down, yes I know it is the new shiny and all that stuff BUT this beauty and it's a beast take the cake.

Nice display
Quite compact and light for its size
No eye strain or headaches, I came from a 12.9 and my vision ain't great
Nice speakers, (the chassis does vibrate a bit) and good audio with Beats X

So far so very good!

 

[UltimateSyn]

Only got about 5 minutes with mine between jobs but my first impressions are that it's absolutely incredible.

 

[cwosigns]

I am loving it. I just sold my 12.9" (first gen) and got the 10.5" today. The screen size slots perfectly between my 12" MacBook and my 7 Plus. The screen is great and it's so portable.

 

[LiveWireless]

The irony is it's still much more responsive than my 6s.

The irony is there is no irony.

My first thoughts mirror others for the most part.

1. My first Pro, coming from Ipad3, Mini, & Air2. I didn't really notice the size difference so much initially having them both in my hands. After a while i could see the difference and notice it a bit more.
2. Mine ran hot compared to the A2, but like someone noted this seemed to be due to all the configuration and downloading it was doing restoring my last backup unto the device. A few hours later now and it seems normal.
3. I love using the Pencil to control it and keeping my fingers off the screen. I can always use voice dictation for typing.
4. My screen is definitely warmer than the Air 2, but I left you told enable right now. I kind a like the warmer, but I'm just worried about it for photo editing.
5. Yes the touch ID seem super fast.
6. When I'm scrolling with the pencil I do notice it is quite smooth.
7. I was the top bezel was the same width as the sides in portrait mode.
8. Not sure if it was the true tone or a combination of things, but Hi-Rez photos really did look a little better than the Air2. More dynamic range seemed visiblle.
9. I wish the larger screen would have given an extra row of icons on the home screen. With iOS 11 though that is not likely to be a concern with the added flexibility of the dock.

I'm going to stick with iOS 10 for a while yet, but am super excited about iOS 11 and even High Sierra and how they might work together.

I really hate the camera bump, but i hope i adjust to it. I don't use back cases unless i'm in a particular situation that requires it temporarily. I generally have always just used Smart-covers. For the pro i will try a smart keyboard, still waiting for it, and i may try a skin for the back.

 

[MacGurl111]

I enjoy it. Much better than the 12.9 I tried last year!

 

[uwdude]

After getting mine this afternoon and playing with it a bit, my impression is that it's a small evolution on the 9.7, which I had until a couple of days ago. Yes the screen is a bit bigger, but it doesn't seem way bigger or anything, just a bit. The scrolling and videos seem very smooth, and realizing that it is because of the new 120 hz, I noticed it, but if I hadn't known there was a new feature I'm not sure I would have really noticed it, its very subtle. The volume buttons seem more squished up at the very top, and maybe a bit smaller, which could be good or bad depending on how you use those.

The camera bump is a bit wider, but nothing that makes a real difference. Again, this seems like an evolution, some small things that made it a bit better. If I had kept the 9.7 knowing what I know now, I wouldn't be that disappointed, the differences aren't huge. Maybe people who play really taxing games or work with huge files might feel this is more necessary, but I think if you placed this and a 9.7 Pro next to each other in front of the average person, they would say "this one is like a half inch bigger, but otherwise what is the difference"- the other differences are subtle that only discerning Apple folks would notice.

 

[cibonak]

how is the battery comparing to 9.7?

 

[cdmoore74]

Couple points:

1. Non-mech home button and 3D touch rely on haptics for feedback to the user. It needs that, and probably one motor on each side of the tablet for the sensation to feel right. But since it has no way to produce haptic feedback, neither of these are a go (yet?).

2. Yeah, the camera bump is annoying, but you get used to it. It's not even as bad as the one on the iPhone. Less wobble.

Good catch on the haptic feedback. Totally forgot that Apple bragged about the haptic engine when the iPhone 7 came out.

 

[lockerc18]

Moving from an iPad3, this system is like going to another dimension. The only thing I didn't like was TrueTone, so I turned it off. But the clarity of the display is SO good that the lousy quality of most of the videos I've tested is pretty evident. Live TV is exceptional. Photos are, too.

And this system is FAST. Holy smokes, is it fast.

I think it's a keeper. Nah... I KNOW it's a keeper.

 

[Traverse]

I really love it, a worthy upgrade.

The new refresh rate is instantly noticeable and almost surreal at first.

 

[spiderman0616]

I can't believe how much bigger the 10.5" seems--the size difference isn't that much, but it makes a huge difference. And ProMotion just seems impossible. I don't know how they do it.

 

[devilsnj30]

The irony is it's still much more responsive than my 6s.

You might want to redo your fingerprint then. I can't touch the fingerprint sensor without unlocking the phone instantly. Or you have a bad sensor.

 

[Doomoo]

Moving from an iPad3, this system is like going to another dimension. The only thing I didn't like was TrueTone, so I turned it off. But the clarity of the display is SO good that the lousy quality of most of the videos I've tested is pretty evident. Live TV is exceptional. Photos are, too.

And this system is FAST. Holy smokes, is it fast.

I think it's a keeper. Nah... I KNOW it's a keeper.

Just ordered mine this morning to replace my iPad 3 too lol. Only thing is they had no black bezel ones till 27th June, couldn't wait that long. They have all colours in 10.5 except Space Grey so gave in and ordered silver. Just hope white bezel doesn't look bad

 

[danny842003]

You might want to redo your fingerprint then. I can't touch the fingerprint sensor without unlocking the phone instantly. Or you have a bad sensor.

I recently got a replacement phone due to the battery having an issue and it still isnt as good.

 

[uwdude]

how is the battery comparing to 9.7?

I would say it's similar, maybe slightly better. It's draining slowly throughout the day similar to the 9.7.

 

[Jro29]

I upgraded from an iPad 3 and a 1st gen non retina iPad mini. Needless to say, this thing is stunning. Just stunning. So fast. Scrolling is amazing. It's a pleasure to use and I love the screen size. I had been tempted by the 12.9 when it came out 1.5 years ago but in the end I thought it was to unwieldy. I had actually given in and bought the 9.7 Pro 2 weeks ago, but took it back when this was announced. So glad I did. 10.5 is the real sweet spot.

 

[Traverse]

I am hoping that more apps take advantage of the higher resolution. For example, I would like to be able to have the format sidebar in pages like on the larger iPad and be able to view a side bar in Ulysses all the time.

 

[asleep]

Pretty sure the speakers are louder on my 9.7 Pro vs the 10.5 Pro.

It's close, and the newer model has better bass I think. I compared my 9.7 in the silicon case (back & cover) to the 10.5 naked, since there aren't any cases that fit yet.

I'll test it in next few days, but first impression is 9.7 is a bit louder.

 

[LarsN.]

First iPad for us. We picked it up yesterday at the Apple Store (10.5, 256 GB) with Pencil.

Very impressive screen, color display and latency of the pencil. Sound quality is above my expectations. Bought an iPad Air 2 for my mother-in-law some years ago and the Pro 10.5 really is a huge improvement, but the Air is still a good tablet. Tested the 9.7 Pro a month ago and were close to buy it right away, but somehow managed to wait another month for the WWDC (thankfully).

 

[lockerc18]

Moving from an iPad3, this system is like going to another dimension. The only thing I didn't like was TrueTone, so I turned it off. But the clarity of the display is SO good that the lousy quality of most of the videos I've tested is pretty evident. Live TV is exceptional. Photos are, too.

And this system is FAST. Holy smokes, is it fast.

I think it's a keeper. Nah... I KNOW it's a keeper.

Another thing... the audio is incredible. Stereo separation with the 4 speakers is terrific. The clarity of the sound is unbelievably good.

 

[rdavis41]

Coming from 12.9'' as well. The 12.9 is great at what it does but strikes me as so much less portable. My initial impressions are that the 10.5 is lightening fast. And the screen adjustment, even though only .8" is a MASSIVE difference IMO. This also goes down to using the Smart Keyboard, which I routinely had an issue with on the 9.7" (which is why I then switched to 12.9"). This size change makes striking the keys easier for me, as with 9.7" I would routinely hit the wrong keys due to limited spacing. This strikes a great balance between laptop, tablet, and it is portable and light. Can't wait to try ios 11.0 beta to really open up its potential.

 

[AppleRobert]

Pretty the speakers are louder on my 9.7 Pro vs the 10.5 Pro.

It's close, and the newer model has better bass I think. I compared my 9.7 in the silicon case (back & cover) to the 10.5 naked, since there aren't any cases that fit yet.

I'll test it in next few days, but first impression is 9.7 is a bit louder.

How about chassis vibration when you have the volume turned up, is the vibration when you are holding it about the same?

 

[jbachandouris]

After getting mine this afternoon and playing with it a bit, my impression is that it's a small evolution on the 9.7, which I had until a couple of days ago. Yes the screen is a bit bigger, but it doesn't seem way bigger or anything, just a bit. The scrolling and videos seem very smooth, and realizing that it is because of the new 120 hz, I noticed it, but if I hadn't known there was a new feature I'm not sure I would have really noticed it, its very subtle. The volume buttons seem more squished up at the very top, and maybe a bit smaller, which could be good or bad depending on how you use those.

The camera bump is a bit wider, but nothing that makes a real difference. Again, this seems like an evolution, some small things that made it a bit better. If I had kept the 9.7 knowing what I know now, I wouldn't be that disappointed, the differences aren't huge. Maybe people who play really taxing games or work with huge files might feel this is more necessary, but I think if you placed this and a 9.7 Pro next to each other in front of the average person, they would say "this one is like a half inch bigger, but otherwise what is the difference"- the other differences are subtle that only discerning Apple folks would notice.

I agree with everything you have said. I still haven't sold my 9.7 and I really don't notice that big of a difference. Maybe it will be more noticeable with iOS 11, but as it stands, it's not overly impressive. Annoyed at the lack of cases more than anything though. Most likely keeping it, but not overly impressed.

 

[burgman]

The irony is there is no irony.

My first thoughts mirror others for the most part.

1. My first Pro, coming from Ipad3, Mini, & Air2. I didn't really notice the size difference so much initially having them both in my hands. After a while i could see the difference and notice it a bit more.
2. Mine ran hot compared to the A2, but like someone noted this seemed to be due to all the configuration and downloading it was doing restoring my last backup unto the device. A few hours later now and it seems normal.
3. I love using the Pencil to control it and keeping my fingers off the screen. I can always use voice dictation for typing.
4. My screen is definitely warmer than the Air 2, but I left you told enable right now. I kind a like the warmer, but I'm just worried about it for photo editing.
5. Yes the touch ID seem super fast.
6. When I'm scrolling with the pencil I do notice it is quite smooth.
7. I was the top bezel was the same width as the sides in portrait mode.
8. Not sure if it was the true tone or a combination of things, but Hi-Rez photos really did look a little better than the Air2. More dynamic range seemed visiblle.
9. I wish the larger screen would have given an extra row of icons on the home screen. With iOS 11 though that is not likely to be a concern with the added flexibility of the dock.

I'm going to stick with iOS 10 for a while yet, but am super excited about iOS 11 and even High Sierra and how they might work together.

I really hate the camera bump, but i hope i adjust to it. I don't use back cases unless i'm in a particular situation that requires it temporarily. I generally have always just used Smart-covers. For the pro i will try a smart keyboard, still waiting for it, and i may try a skin for the back.

Some people turn True Tone off to edit photos depending on lighting conditions,, others turn on Night Shift and adjust to less warm. I'm still on the fence about upgrading from my 9.7 Pro. Went to Apple store for a brief look see, was originally leaning toward a 12.9 but the 10.5 works for me.

 

[Pipper99]

I'm thinking of upgrading from an Air 2 also. Are the changes worth it? Thanks!!

I upgraded from the Air 2, and it's worth it to me: everything is faster, more responsive, smoother, and the new screen looks much better with the wide color gamut. Love the 4 speakers, too. I'm going to jump on the public beta of iOS11 when it becomes available.