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ThunderSkunk

macrumors 601
Dec 31, 2007
4,075
4,561
Milwaukee Area
Hi guys! I found a sealed iPad pro 1st gen from 2018 at 500 euros (545 us dollars), do you think is worth it in 2023? I think it will come with the original native OS in it, should I eventually upgrade it? If I do so, will it be much slower? And the last question, will the battery be damaged after 5 years stored in a box and never been activated? Tell me your opinions please, thank you for your attention! :)
I would only use it for media since I have a PC.
Yes, they're great, I use a 1st gen 13" here daily on its original batt and it works just beautifully. Even if you don't want it, buy it and flip it as-is to all of us grumpy curmudgeons who hate the schitzo jumble of ADHD-triggering ui elements that they foisted on us in iOS15. That thing is a time capsule and they're not going back in time to make more. 500 eu is a lot. You can get a used Ipad Pro 1 for about a hundred USD these days, but it's almost impossible to find an iPad that has its original OS on it. Even if people never updated the whole time they owned it, when they go to sell it, BAM, update, crap flying everywhere, and there's no undoing the damage. One with iOS14 still on it is a very special thing.
 
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Allen_Wentz

macrumors 68040
Dec 3, 2016
3,332
3,763
USA
One with iOS14 still on it is a very special thing.
Sure, buying an antique to run an antique OS is appropriate for some. The OP sounded, however, like someone who needs more modern hardware/OS. Maintaining an antique OS as fully workable year after year however is a special challenge.
 

Shortpay

Suspended
Aug 17, 2023
44
27
I have a 2018 iPad Pro 11" and I'd only replace it to the next future model once I receive my final iPadOS Security Update.

I expect that to occur by 2026.

I'd avoid the laminated screen as it costs more to replace than a brand new cheapest iPad.
 

JustAnExpat

macrumors 65816
Nov 27, 2019
1,009
1,012
I would say no:

1. The iPad Pro you're referring to is an 11" iPad Pro.

2. IF this is sealed new, in box, then the battery would be fully discharged and empty. An empty battery for 5 years is pretty much a dead battery. How much is a battery replacement?

3. From a speed benefit, an iPad 9th generation (2021) is faster than an iPad Pro 1st Generation, per MacTracker.

4. The display of an iPad Pro is nicer than an iPad or iPad Air, because you get pro-motion. But is a larger color range and higher refresh that important to you?

5. You can use a second generation Apple Pencil on the 11" iPad Pro, however would you be using the pencil enough to take advantages of the features?

Because of the battery, and speed, I would say "NO", especially for 500 euros. For reference, a new iPad 9th generation is about 300 euros.
 
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stanza.richi

macrumors 65816
Dec 5, 2019
1,108
1,700
Italy
I still using my iPP 12.9 2018 64 gb wifi only for video editing with iMovie without major complaints. At the same time I don’t think that I will buy a 5 years old device with a battery that remains unused for this time, except for a really big deal: for 150-200€ maybe yes, it will worth it. For 500€/$ you can find an actual iPad that could serve you as well as this 2018, in my opinion, with a brand new battery.
 

engbren

macrumors regular
Jul 21, 2011
134
89
Australia
I still have an 11 inch iPad Pro 2018. I previously had a MacBook Pro 2019 i5/quad core/16GB RAM and the iPad Pro was significantly faster than my MacBook Pro for many tasks. Since moving to a m1 MacBook Air, I've found my use of the iPad Pro has dropped dramatically. It still works fine, it's still fast for many tasks and is great for content consumption. It's not well suited to the type of work that I do today compared to the type of work I did in 2018 when I purchased it. Today, my MacBook Air is significantly better suited to my workflow.
 

hirsthirst

macrumors 6502a
Nov 3, 2008
614
912
UK
Thank you guys! You gave me all the answers I needed! I think I was excited to find it brand new, also because i wanted it since it was relased back in 2018... but as you said, there are more powerful options at that price :) Thank you all.
Others have chipped-in on the first gen / third gen confusion - if it's 2018 then it'll be the 'first gen' of the 11" iPad Pro, which superseded the original 10.5" and has the current squared-off edge style with a single rear camera.

  • I've just parted with my used 11" Pro / WiFi + Cellular / 256GB to a friend for £290 which is the same as Music Magpie offered me as a trade-in in UK.
  • It's still more than powerful enough for basic everyday iPad stuff, the screen is great & the four-speaker sound is excellent.
  • I don't know how it handles more demanding tasks like video editing - I'd do that on my MacBook Pro, not an iPad.
  • Very fast & smooth on iPadOS 17 beta.

I'd not buy one new at this point, but it's a solid used buy for the right price, depending on what you're coming from. They were sold from late 2018 into early 2020, so should have a couple more OS upgrades yet?
 

boss.king

macrumors 603
Apr 8, 2009
6,394
7,647
My 11" from 2018 (first 11" model but technically third gen) still works great, but I wouldn't recommend buying one today unless it was basically free. Even though it's still a capable tablet, it's old hardware and likely to stop receiving updates in the next couple of years if their Mac and iPhone cutoff times are anything to go by.
 

hch720

macrumors regular
Sep 7, 2022
235
657
Are you from 2028? Sign me up for M5 ipad. 2018 iPad Pro will be o delete by then.

If it still works and I'm only using it for YouTube and basic browsing like I do now, I'll take the 120hz over 60hz any day.
 

TechnoMonk

macrumors 68030
Oct 15, 2022
2,606
4,114
If it still works and I'm only using it for YouTube and basic browsing like I do now, I'll take the 120hz over 60hz any day.
Mine works too, but it didn’t sit on the shelf for 5 years in a sealed box. Nor did I buy it this year. It was for family, I bought it at refurb from apple, after 2020 iPad Pro was released. I wouldn’t buy it 5-6 years after release.
 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,643
4,469
The idea that the battery is dead or worn off after 5 years is just wrong. If the battery was charged and the iPad is off, it can stay charged for years as the rate of discharge is minimal. And again, it may be from 2019 or 2020... I have bought older generation sealed iPad that had probably been sealed for several years and the battery was still absolutely fine (over 100% health) and they were not discharged. Now a 10 year old device is a different story. But 3-5 years the battery may have survived much better than if it were in use.

As for the priced being right or not, it depends on the specs of the iPad, which are unknown, but as 2018 iPad pro can make sense as a purchase in 2023 at the right price, depending on the priorities.
Personally for me quad speakers, USB C and pencil 2 are a big priority, much more than the the years of support, as I use my devices past end of support (and support should last until iPadOS 20, which ends in 2028 or at least iPadOS 19, which ends in 2027, based on my predictions for the A12X https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/predictions-for-ipados-updates-over-the-next-8-years.2391411/)
 
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MacRazySwe

macrumors 65816
Aug 7, 2007
1,204
1,083
I'm partial, but the iPad Pro 2018 is a good purchase for the following reasons:

- 120hz pro motion display. This alone makes a huge difference over any iPad Air M1/M2 in day to day use.
- A12x was an absolute beast of a processor, A12z from 2020 was only an incremental update.
- iPad Pro has a slightly more premium design with smaller bezels than the iPad 10th gen and any of the Airs.

People are right about the battery level though. The battery will not be ideal...

I'd say it's a great tablet, but maybe 500 EUR is too much. At 350 EUR it would be a bargain, possibly even 400.
 
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Torty

macrumors 65816
Oct 16, 2013
1,239
944
No improved autocorrect in iPad os17. Would not buy especially the high possibility that the battery was deep discharged and is now dead.
 

Channan

macrumors 68030
Mar 7, 2012
2,890
3,119
New Orleans
Hi guys! I found a sealed iPad pro 1st gen from 2018 at 500 euros (545 us dollars), do you think is worth it in 2023? I think it will come with the original native OS in it, should I eventually upgrade it? If I do so, will it be much slower? And the last question, will the battery be damaged after 5 years stored in a box and never been activated? Tell me your opinions please, thank you for your attention! :)
I would only use it for media since I have a PC.
As someone who is still using a 2018 11” Pro, I wouldn’t recommend it, and definitely not for €500.

Mine is still good for the most part. It only occasionally stutters but it’s not that bad. I could go a couple more years with this thing but I wouldn’t buy one now because then I’d want to replace it soon. I think it would be worth spending more for the next model and letting that last you 7-8 years.
 

snipr125

macrumors 68020
Oct 17, 2015
2,006
3,123
UK
€500 is too much for a 2018 ipp. Like others have said it could have battery issues sealed for 5 years. For the same money or just a little bit more you should be able to get a M1 ipad air which has significantly better performance and longevity.
 
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piblondin

macrumors regular
Jun 23, 2009
181
32
Hi guys! I found a sealed iPad pro 1st gen from 2018 at 500 euros (545 us dollars), do you think is worth it in 2023? I think it will come with the original native OS in it, should I eventually upgrade it? If I do so, will it be much slower? And the last question, will the battery be damaged after 5 years stored in a box and never been activated? Tell me your opinions please, thank you for your attention! :)
I would only use it for media since I have a PC.
What is the capacity? I still have my 2018 11" with 512GB, and it's been great and runs fine on the current OS, though you may have other reasons for keeping it on an older version. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a DS 2018 iPad Pro, if the price was right. However, you may also be able to get a new 2021 M1 for a similar price, which would be preferable.
 

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
For the right price it’s worth it. If it’s too expensive you would be better off getting a newer model even used. I’d pay about £300 tops for a 2018 ipad pro 11 at this point in time. Having said that I am still using my iPad Pro 2018 11 inch. I’ve had it for 3 years and I’ve had no issues with it so far. My battery health is still at 92% so I plan on using it for a while longer.
 
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Greenmeenie

macrumors 68020
Jan 14, 2013
2,121
3,304
So you’d pay 500 Euro today for a five year old iPad instead of getting any current iPad if you had to get one?
Well, you said you’re only going to use it for media consumption. I do all my professional content creation on mine as well as media consumption, and it still works fine for me. Yes, I may finally upgrade next year when the OLED ipad pros come out for my work… but if I was just using it to consume media, I’d definitely feel great about nabbing a never used one in a sealed box. I guess my only question would be do you trust the person you’d be buying it from? I heard there are some scammers out there that reseal old boxes and just put a brick in there to fool potential buyers. Just be careful. Otherwise, if it’s legit, $545 for a pro device you’ll be using to watch media on is a good deal.
 

blkjedi954

macrumors 6502
Feb 15, 2012
409
314
Florida
Hi guys! I found a sealed iPad pro 1st gen from 2018 at 500 euros (545 us dollars), do you think is worth it in 2023? I think it will come with the original native OS in it, should I eventually upgrade it? If I do so, will it be much slower? And the last question, will the battery be damaged after 5 years stored in a box and never been activated? Tell me your opinions please, thank you for your attention! :)
I would only use it for media since I have a PC.
Only if it’s the 1TB model….seriously.
 

blkjedi954

macrumors 6502
Feb 15, 2012
409
314
Florida
Apple recent OS’s haven’t been particularly stellar at managing RAM. I have the 16gb model and still experience reloads of apps, tabs or the like. I actively manage my tabs and have no ore than 5 open at any one time, but usually hover around 3 open tabs and I still experience reloading. Apps reload consistently. So I’m inclined to agree with the forums I have frequented on other platforms that address Apple’s fall from OS grace, when it comes to mobile RAM management. That being said, if that iPad had 1TB of storage it would be a decent purchase for your use case, otherwise invest in something more recent.
 

Yuuuki

macrumors 6502
May 28, 2023
270
205
Germany
I personally wouldn’t get anything older then 2020 at this point. And yes I know that apple brings long OS support for their devices but still I would feel not good buying such an old device (and yes I know that it totally get the job done still). Anyway just my thoughts. In the end everyone has to decide for themselves what they are fine with. Also very much depending on your budget. I read from a lot of people who bought the 2018 model these days and are very happy about it. If you got a really good deal I would take it if you are happy with it.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,916
13,260
I personally wouldn’t get anything older then 2020 at this point. And yes I know that apple brings long OS support for their devices but still I would feel not good buying such an old device (and yes I know that it totally get the job done still). Anyway just my thoughts. In the end everyone has to decide for themselves what they are fine with. Also very much depending on your budget. I read from a lot of people who bought the 2018 model these days and are very happy about it. If you got a really good deal I would take it if you are happy with it.

Caveat, the 2020 iPad Pro is pretty much just a refresh of 2018 particularly if looking at the 1TB model (6GB RAM). You likely just get a less worn out battery.

On the lower end, I do think the 2020 A12Z/6GB/128GB is a better choice than the 2018 A12X/4GB/64GB both for the extra RAM and storage as long as the price difference isn’t too much. With the recent deals I’ve seen on Air 5 and 2021 iPad Pro though, I’m inclined to just go straight to M1/8GB.
 
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ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,114
10,906
Well, you said you’re only going to use it for media consumption. I do all my professional content creation on mine as well as media consumption, and it still works fine for me. Yes, I may finally upgrade next year when the OLED ipad pros come out for my work… but if I was just using it to consume media, I’d definitely feel great about nabbing a never used one in a sealed box. I guess my only question would be do you trust the person you’d be buying it from? I heard there are some scammers out there that reseal old boxes and just put a brick in there to fool potential buyers. Just be careful. Otherwise, if it’s legit, $545 for a pro device you’ll be using to watch media on is a good deal.

I don’t think I have mentioned media consumption at all in the first few posts. Asked on the spot today if I’d rather buy a new iPad or a used five year old one, I know my preference, and especially if I am making a living off that thing.
 
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