iPad iPad Pro 10.5 vs iPad Air 10.5 - Value?

[EugW]

On top of all this the A12 is way better than the A10X, except for the GPU

That's not really accurate, on both counts.

1. A12 is faster than A10X for CPU, but I've often said if the speed difference is only 15%, they may as well be the same for day-to-day usage, cuz they will feel the same. A12 is more than 15% faster than A10X, but not by much as it's closer to 20%. In that context it's not really a big deal, and it's definitely not a big deal in terms of historical A chip standards. The main point here is both A10X and A12 are hugely faster than A10 and A9X. (Think of it this way: In iPad terms, A10X and A12 are both analogous to what i5 chips are on the iMac, whereas A12X is analogous to i9 chips. In contrast, A9X and A10 are more like the chips from the slower laptops.) On the flip side, some video export benchmarks have A10X beating A12 (see below), although I'm not really sure if that's because of CPU, GPU, the dedicated video encoder, RAM, or whatever. Overall, I think the biggest real world advantage of A12 over A10X is probably that A12 will get iOS updates for longer.

2. The A10X GPU scores way higher than A12's GPU in Geekbench Metal, but it's not always the case in other GPU benchmarks, and some games are faster on A12. So it's probably a wash there.

 

[antisomnic]

That's not really accurate, on both counts.

1. A12 is faster than A10X for CPU, but I've often said if the speed difference is only 15%, they may as well be the same for day-to-day usage, cuz they will feel the same. A12 is more than 15% faster than A10X, but not by much as it's closer to 20%. In that context it's not really a big deal, and it's definitely not a big deal in terms of historical A chip standards. The main point here is both A10X and A12 are hugely faster than A10 and A9X. (Think of it this way: In iPad terms, A10X and A12 are both analogous to what i5 chips are on the iMac, whereas A12X is analogous to i9 chips. In contrast, A9X and A10 are more like the chips from the slower laptops.) On the flip side, some video export benchmarks have A10X beating A12 (see below), although I'm not really sure if that's because of CPU, GPU, the dedicated video encoder, RAM, or whatever. Overall, I think the biggest real world advantage of A12 over A10X is probably that A12 will get iOS updates for longer.

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2. The A10X GPU scores way higher than A12's GPU in Geekbench Metal, but it's not always the case in other GPU benchmarks, and some games are faster on A12. So it's probably a wash there.

Oh, I didn’t realize there was that big of a difference between the A10 and A10X. I thought the XS were always the same chip clocked higher.

 

[EugW]

Oh, I didn’t realize there was that big of a difference between the A10 and A10X. I thought the XS were always the same chip clocked higher.

A10 and A10X are actually clocked about the same, but A10 is dual-core whereas A10X is triple-core. (Actually they're quad-core and hex-core respectively, but only 2 and 3 cores respectively can be used at any one time.) Also, not only does A10X get 50% more cores, it also gets other design upgrades meaning that it is more than 50% faster than A10.

iPhone 7 gets around 6100 max in Geekbench 4. iPad Pro 10.5 gets around 9600 max, which is about 57% faster.

 

[tps3443]

This was posted a few days ago in another thread but I don’t think it was posted here.

Pro has faster SSD write speed than Air.
Pro has faster iMovie export speed than Air.
Pro is USB 3 but Air is USB 2.

Not deal killers for the Air by any means and I suspect most wouldn’t even care actually, but just little tidbits to know about.

I’m seeing the same thing with a 1TB iPad Pro 11” vs a 512GB/256/64GB iPad Pro 11” storage models

Antutu ROM/SSD score was “6530” on the 512GB 11” iPad Pro.

Antutu ROM/SSD score was “9800” on the 1TB 11” iPad Pro.

 

[geekiemac]

@Josieb1 good thing you posted, it brought out all the Air 3 lovers out there.

Other than that: statistics and benchmarks are one thing, your own preferences, feelings and impressions are another.

 

[Josieb1]

@Josieb1 good thing you posted, it brought out all the Air 3 lovers out there.

Other than that: statistics and benchmarks are one thing, your own preferences, feelings and impressions are another.

I was beginning to think we needed a “Love Air 3” thread!
[doublepost=1555393866][/doublepost]

The iPad Air 3 has my love. I think it’s a fine tablet. First of all, it is a new iPad with a A12 processor and a full size screen. There’s no other option for this. Without spending way more, or getting a smaller screen on a Mini 5.

Be happy with what you have. It only gets bashed sometimes because it is almost head to head with the 2nd gen iPad Pro. So, people are going to analyze the two top to bottom and pick apart the advantages or disadvantages. Or even make them selves feel better about there purchase, or for keeping there older iPad Pro 2nd gen for longer.. It’s just normal human behavior to do this, and justify you’ve made the right choice.

The A12 processor is more efficient, with a faster IPC performance than a A10X. So, just opening things up and closing them on a lighter load basis will most likely be a little snappier than a A10X.

The iPad Air is brand new. It works. and it’s fast. Just keep it and be happy!

The iPad Air 3 was meant to replace the old iPad Air 2. And it has done this by a long shot over and over again! It was never intended to compete with any iPad Pro. Consumers have just chose to do that on there own.

I think all iPads are excellent. And each is better in its own way for what that person is doing. And for someone who wants a new product, and a great experience how could the iPad Air 3 ever be the wrong choice?

Good luck, and enjoy it.

Thank you for this post.

 

[*~Kim~*]

I think perhaps had the Air 3 emerged with the rumoured 10.2 inch screen, the two wouldn’t be compared so much. My personal feeling on the Air is it’s a tad too expensive, which would naturally bring a refurb Pro into consideration if I was in the market for a 10.5” tablet.

Apple wouldn’t maintain such a diverse iPad line if we all liked the same things.

 

[Fenhalls]

I think perhaps had the Air 3 emerged with the rumoured 10.2 inch screen, the two wouldn’t be compared so much. My personal feeling on the Air is it’s a tad too expensive, which would naturally bring a refurb Pro into consideration if I was in the market for a 10.5” tablet.

Apple wouldn’t maintain such a diverse iPad line if we all liked the same things.

But then, for all we know there might not have been an Air at all but for the bright spot issue. Perhaps at least one of the features that was removed from the 10.5 Pro to make the new Air was culpable or maybe a suspected culprit in the spot's creation.

The 10.5 Pro is to my way of thinking obviously the superior device, but there exists the possibility of a problem that means for many potential purchasers that it is fundamentally flawed.

 

[rui no onna]

The 10.5 Pro is to my way of thinking obviously the superior device, but there exists the possibility of a problem that means for many potential purchasers that it is fundamentally flawed.

Yep, this is partly what's making me waver.

That said, Best Buy has a $300 discount on the 1TB Pro 11 Verizon on device payment. If I can use that on my existing plan ($10/mo for tablets), I might finally bite.

I know if buying directly from Verizon, there's no penalty if you pay off a device early. Are there any issues with early pay off if buying with device payment plan from Best Buy?

 

[rdunlap]

I did read somewhere that Apple plans to keep iOS updates coming to the Pro models for two years LONGER than a non pro model would typically get because of the beefed up internals. I'm not sure how true that is but thought that was pretty interesting.

 

[EugW]

I did read somewhere that Apple plans to keep iOS updates coming to the Pro models for two years LONGER than a non pro model would typically get because of the beefed up internals. I'm not sure how true that is but thought that was pretty interesting.

That would be good, but where did you read that?

Personally, I'm GUESSING that the iPad Pro 10.5" will have one year less of updates than the iPad Air 10.5", not two years less, but it would be nice if it iOS updates ended at the same time.

 

[rdunlap]

I believe it was an article on BGR but I could be wrong. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[tps3443]

Yep, this is partly what's making me waver.

That said, Best Buy has a $300 discount on the 1TB Pro 11 Verizon on device payment. If I can use that on my existing plan ($10/mo for tablets), I might finally bite.

That is awesome. Your gonna love it.

 

[rui no onna]

That is awesome. Your gonna love it.

I dunno. I'm still wavering among the ff:

$1400 ($58.33/mo) Pro 11 1TB LTE
$880 ($36.66/mo) Pro 10.5 512GB LTE
$680 ($28.33/mo) Pro 10.5 256GB LTE
$680 ($28.33/mo) Air 3 256GB LTE

I'm not a fan of FaceID and my favorite ePub reader app hasn't been updated since 2017 so it's possible I might get some pillarboxing with the Pro 11. Unfortunately, I've yet to find another reading app I like as much.

Air 3 only has 3GB RAM and is maxed out at 256GB.

On the Pro 10.5 I'm concerned about the bright spot issue and intermittent touchscreen unresponsiveness.

The thing is what I have still works well so I'm not absolutely itching to upgrade right now. If not for the $200+ discounts, I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[tps3443]

I dunno. I'm still wavering among the ff:

$1400 ($58.33/mo) Pro 11 1TB LTE
$880 ($36.66/mo) Pro 10.5 512GB LTE
$680 ($28.33/mo) Pro 10.5 256GB LTE
$680 ($28.33/mo) Air 3 256GB LTE

I'm not a fan of FaceID and my favorite ePub reader app hasn't been updated since 2017 so it's possible I might get some pillarboxing with the Pro 11. Unfortunately, I've yet to find another reading app I like as much.

Air 3 only has 3GB RAM and is maxed out at 256GB.

On the Pro 10.5 I'm concerned about the bright spot issue and intermittent touchscreen unresponsiveness.

The thing is what I have still works well so I'm not absolutely itching to upgrade right now. If not for the $200+ discounts, I wouldn't even consider it.

Yea ePub reader has black bars. It’s not that bad though. They are actually selling the 1TB at a great price. The same cannot be said for the other iPads though.

 

[ucfgrad11]

Snagged a refurb iPad Pro 10.5 from apple 256GB. Looked up the manufacturing date and was built in March 2019. This has to be a brand new unit just in a different box, right? The promotion is so nice compared to the air.

 

[tps3443]

Snagged a refurb iPad Pro 10.5 from apple 256GB. Looked up the manufacturing date and was built in March 2019. This has to be a brand new unit just in a different box, right? The promotion is so nice compared to the air.

That is probably the date is was refurbished. We just started seeing refurbished 10.5’s recently.

 

[rui no onna]

That is probably the date is was refurbished. We just started seeing refurbished 10.5’s recently.

There have been refurbished 10.5's for several months (even prior to 2018 Pro announcement). They just go in and out of stock. Alas, since Apple didn't drop Pro 10.5 pricing when the 2018 Pros were released, there wasn't really much of a discount.

 

[tps3443]

There have been refurbished 10.5's for several months (even prior to 2018 Pro announcement). They just go in and out of stock. Alas, since Apple didn't drop Pro 10.5 pricing when the 2018 Pros were released, there wasn't really much of a discount.

Wow so they are actually still making them? I wonder if these newer ones are using the same panel as the 3rd gen pros. And maybe then no display issues will occur.

 

[Fenhalls]

.

 

[rui no onna]

Wow so they are actually still making them? I wonder if these newer ones are using the same panel as the 3rd gen pros. And maybe then no display issues will occur.

No. Most likely, trade-ins or customer returns and that's why the stock varies a lot. You're likely right about March 2019 being the refurb date.

 

[rdunlap]

I just wanted to give everyone an update. I received my iPad Pro 10.5 the other day and I’m so glad I went with this one instead of the Air 3. I am blown away by the 120hz refresh rate. It definitely makes a difference. The sound is also leaps and bounds above the tinny Air 3 speakers. The RAM certainly makes a difference too with open tabs etc in Safari. I was on the fence about which iPad to get a while back but now I know I made the right decision.

 

[rui no onna]

Yea ePub reader has black bars. It’s not that bad though. They are actually selling the 1TB at a great price. The same cannot be said for the other iPads though.

Lol, looks like I won’t be getting the 1TB LTE Pro 11 just yet. Found a deal on Swappa for 512GB LTE Pro 10.5 with ASK and Pencil for $650.

Honestly, I don’t like FaceID (still on my trusty iPhone 7) and my preferred reading app will likely never be updated to support newer resolutions anyway so this works out better. For me, $1400 is too much to spend on an iPad I’m compromising on. I’m still hoping for 326ppi (which would hopefully translate to iPad interface when using side-by-side landscape) and for USB-C to support external storage.

 

[tps3443]

Lol, looks like I won’t be getting the 1TB LTE Pro 11 just yet. Found a deal on Swappa for 512GB LTE Pro 10.5 with ASK and Pencil for $650.

Sounds like a good deal to me. Cellular and large storage is the most important feature in an iPad for me.

 

[rui no onna]

Cellular and large storage is the most important feature in an iPad for me.

Yep, mine too. RAM is also a concern but to a lesser extent after we hit 2GB (at the time of Air 1 release, my PC builds and laptops had 8-16GB already and 1GB was woefully inadequate with all my Safari tabs).

Performance hasn’t been an issue for me since A9.