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iPad Air 3 or Pro 10.5 or 11 Pro?

hotr32

hotr32

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 2, 2009
186
131
PA
So for all the Pro users out there, what do we think about the longevity of the device? I know Apple usually gives us about 5 years average of OS updates, so I’m in a fork in the road with my current situation. I have an Air 3, love this device, but my soon to be teenage son just cracked the screen of his Air 2, and the cost to replace the screen is almost as much as buying a used/refurbished iPad.

I recently had a Pro 9.7, but I found a deal of a lifetime on the Air 3 I’m currently using, so obviously looking for opinions on what to do here, I obviously “need” to get a new iPad !:) So I found a relatively good deal locally on a used iPad Pro 10.5. Everything is in great shape, not a blemish on it, its a 64GB wifi only in space grey, I can pick it up for $250. I like to keep iPads for at least 2 years before they get handed off to various family members. (Unless there is a deal I cant pass up)

My use for an iPad is moderate use, but no heavy gaming, mainly just an entertainment device, but I do use it for online classes. So............should I buy this 10.5 Pro? Should I keep it and give my Air 3 to my son? Should I give the Pro to my son and keep my Air 3? Or shall I just buy a new 11” Pro? Or.........should I consider waiting for the new Pro? (whenever that’s comes out in 2020)
I also have a mini 5 that I use daily so I wouldn’t be “without” an iPad if I wait for the new Pro.

Lastly, I don’t want to say money isn’t really an issue, I don’t necessarily want to spend a lot on an iPad Pro, as long as I can justify the cost, then its worth it to me, but the 11” Pro and new Pro would have some serious financial considerations.

Finally, thank you in advance to everyone out there that takes the time to read this and reply back with your opinions!!
 
Personally, I’d rather have the Air 3 than the 10.5” Pro, just because I think Apple will support it for longer. However, I’d buy whichever device you can get for cheaper.

The Air 3 is faster, though it does have 3 GB of RAM rather than 4 GB. However, I feel that in terms of iPadOS support from Apple, the A12 is simply more important than the extra GB of RAM that the 10.5” offers.

Yes, the 10.5” Pro has an A10X (rather than just A10), and ProMotion (not huge for me for my not-too-arty uses), and quad speakers, but I won’t care too much about those things after 1-2 weeks of ownership. I have AirPods and wireless Sony headphones. I always feel that things like ProMotion and quad speakers are important BEFORE I purchase, but never afterwards.

Having said that, I’d get whichever is cheaper and has more storage.
 
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I have both and I do feel the Air 3 is a wee bit snappier than the Pro 10.5.

I think the thing I like most about the Pro 10.5 is the back camera flash. Not to take pictures but to use as flashlight so I don't have to fumble for my phone when I already have the iPad on hand. :p

Really loving the Air 3 battery. Feels like it lasts forever. My Pro 10.5 is now down to 82.5% battery capacity from 90.8% back in late July. Yep, I'm a heavy user but I expect heavy use coupled with battery age has really taken its toll.
 
I currently own the Air 3, I found an amazing deal I couldn’t pass up, I’m still torn on whether to give my Air 3 to my son and get the Pro. I’ve never had Pro Motion so I can’t comment on that, as for the speakers, I had a 9.7 Pro, as nice as it is having quad speakers, 90% of the time I use my AirPods, so not really a deal breaker for me.

Thanks so far everyone!
 
If you want the best tech and specs, iPad Pro 11”. If you want the best bang for your buck with great specs, iPad Pro 10.5. The quad speakers and 120 MHz screen is night and day, IMO. Also, I think the A10X is equivalent to the A12. Plus the 10.5 Pro has an extra gig of RAM over the Air 3. You can even likely find a great price of the 10.5 Pro, cheaper than the retail price of the Air 3.

Others will agree, some will disagree. But that’s my 2¢.
 
Me personally, I wouldn’t be comfortable buying a used iPad. $250 is a good price for a supposedly mint 10.5” Pro, but I wonder how the battery is holding up, white spot issues with that model, etc.

Perhaps take your son to Best Buy and let him trade in his broken Air 2 for like a $25 credit towards a new base or Air iPad (both on sale now). Let him decide which model based on the “price” difference in however you’d let him earn the new iPad.
 
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Personally I would stay away from the pro 10.5 because of the whit spot issue they tend to have. I had one and it developed the spot.
 
I used to be a firm believer that used iPads were not worth it, but after buying many used iPads online, and explain to the seller that I just need to check everything out before I purchase the device. That way I can sign into iCloud, make sure the screen isn’t damaged, check all the buttons etc. There have been a couple that weren’t worth it, so I declined the purchase.
With that being said, since I already own the Air 3, instead of buying another one for him, I would give him mine, and he forced to buy an iPad for myself.:)
As far as the white spot issue, that is the only concern that I have about the 10.5 Pro, I feel like for peace of mind I should just go buy an 11” Pro and be done with it.
 
hotr32 said:
I used to be a firm believer that used iPads were not worth it, but after buying many used iPads online, and explain to the seller that I just need to check everything out before I purchase the device. That way I can sign into iCloud, make sure the screen isn’t damaged, check all the buttons etc. There have been a couple that weren’t worth it, so I declined the purchase.
With that being said, since I already own the Air 3, instead of buying another one for him, I would give him mine, and he forced to buy an iPad for myself.:)
As far as the white spot issue, that is the only concern that I have about the 10.5 Pro, I feel like for peace of mind I should just go buy an 11” Pro and be done with it.
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Just a thought, at $250 for the Pro 10.5 you could probably sell it at or near cost if/when you do decide to upgrade to a newer Pro.

It's also an appreciably better device than the iPad 7 selling for $249 brand new (granted with 1-year warranty) if you plan on handing it down to family instead of selling.
 
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and respond back, alive decided to give my son my Air 3, I’m going to miss it, that iPad is great, but now the problem is to purchase an 11” Pro now, or wait for the “next” one........oh decisions.😀
 
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