iPad Moving from iPad Pro 9.7 to iPad 2018

[Saskat]

I am currently using an iPad Pro 9.7 and only for media consumption, no use for keyboard or pencil and no more than occasional typing (such as this post).

I am considering giving the 9.7 Pro to a family member who will make use of the keyboard and pencil and getting a new iPad 2018 for myself instead.

Does anyone see any potential downside in that move for me that I might be missing?

 

[rui no onna]

Speaker and display downgrade. If you don't care about either, the iPad 2018 should serve you quite well.

 

[Richard8655]

I prefer the regular display ove the Pro. I had both, and returned the Pro in keeping the 5th gen. I’m not missing that problematic and finicky laminated display one bit.

 

[RevTEG]

I prefer the regular display ove the Pro. I had both, and returned the Pro in keeping the 5th gen. I’m not missing that problematic and finicky laminated display one bit.

What problems did you have with your screen? My wife and I have been buying iPads since Gen 1. Only screen issue either of us have ever had was on my iPad 3. I had light bleed that developed over time. Our iPads haven't been completely problem free but our screens haven't been finicky. If you had issues with the screen, I'm sure Apple would have helped you out with it.

 

[Richard8655]

What problems did you have with your screen? My wife and I have been buying iPads since Gen 1. Only screen issue either of us have ever had was on my iPad 3. I had light bleed that developed over time. Our iPads haven't been completely problem free but our screens haven't been finicky. If you had issues with the screen, I'm sure Apple would have helped you out with it.

Light bleed, especially when pressing around the home button. But I’ve been a member here quite a while and often see reports of bleeding, spots, off color patches, yellow bands, etc. all related to the laminated display. There have been so many returns and exchanges over these I lost count. I can’t remember a single post here of a 5th or 6th gen display having a problem seeking a replacement.

 

[spiderman0616]

Less RAM, less processing power, far inferior audio, no laminated screen.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Less RAM, less processing power, far inferior audio, no laminated screen.

9.7 pro has 2gb ram same as 2018 iPad.. I do agree that the pro is the better device though

 

[spiderman0616]

9.7 pro has 2gb ram same as 2018 iPad.. I do agree that the pro is the better device though

I’m sorry—you’re 100% correct. Forgot the 9.7” Pro shipped with 2 GB.

 

[acorntoy]

Less RAM, less processing power, far inferior audio, no laminated screen.

the devices have the same amount of ram - 2GB, and the CPU of the 2018 iPad is slightly powerful than that of the 9.7 pro.

9.7 pro will have a slightly better gpu. Laminated screen and better speakers. The 9.7 pro also support the p3 wider color gamut, the retina panel on the 2018 is pretty much exactly the one introduced in the Air, with improvements in brightness.

One thing the OP might want to consider: I use my 12.9 pro mostly for media consumption, my 1st gen A9X was a power HOG, 3-5 hours battery, my 2nd gen last 8-12, the low power cores of the newer processors have seemed to drastically increase battery life if you aren’t pushing the device hard

 

[EssModelsRule]

You’ll lose the True Tone display feature also.

 

[MBAir2010]

ragrretagagrtshtheztzhhggt!!
my iPad i getting useless by the day!
well, i just need to reboot the thing every night to get flickr and other feeble apps to work.
is there a way to declea-
nah, i should not use that as such as the macbook air.

 

[traveltoromantis]

If you're using it for mostly media consumption, the 9.7 pro is the better bet. The only upsides to the 2018 are a minor speed boost that you probably won't notice, and perhaps slightly better battery life. It's also thicker, but because of this it lacks the camera bump, which could be a positive for you.

I was gifting one earlier this year and I chose the 9.7 pro for them (used) over the 2018. They're mostly using it for watching Netflix, so I chose it because of the stereo speakers. They're very happy with it. I also personally have the 9.7 pro and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

 

[Saskat]

Thank you everyone.

 

[44267547]

The lack of a laminated display seems to be something many find out after they make the purchase of the 2018 iPad. I personally would never purchase an iPad without having a laminated display, it does make a difference with tactile feel and viewing.

 

[Samantha124]

I went from a Pro to the 2018 one, and the speakers are definitely a downgrade.

 

[RevTEG]

Light bleed, especially when pressing around the home button. But I’ve been a member here quite a while and often see reports of bleeding, spots, off color patches, yellow bands, etc. all related to the laminated display. There have been so many returns and exchanges over these I lost count. I can’t remember a single post here of a 5th or 6th gen display having a problem seeking a replacement.

I hear what your saying, but the numbers reported here are very small compared to the millions and millions of units that are working just fine. I for one, probably like you, expect things I buy new to function correctly. However, I don't buy in to the issues being in the masses. Apple had major issues with the iPad 3. Apple replaced the 3 with the 4 after just six months. If the issues were really massive then we would have seen an even bigger story and replacements outside of a fan forum. You can check my previous post, I'm far from defending Apple. But with Apple's return policy and Apple Care there's really zero reason to be concerned over the screens. Just my 2 cents. Which I know 2 cents isn't much.

 

[Richard8655]

I hear what your saying, but the numbers reported here are very small compared to the millions and millions of units that are working just fine. I for one, probably like you, expect things I buy new to function correctly. However, I don't buy in to the issues being in the masses. Apple had major issues with the iPad 3. Apple replaced the 3 with the 4 after just six months. If the issues were really massive then we would have seen an even bigger story and replacements outside of a fan forum. You can check my previous post, I'm far from defending Apple. But with Apple's return policy and Apple Care there's really zero reason to be concerned over the screens. Just my 2 cents. Which I know 2 cents isn't much.

You make a good point. There would be a real outcry if it was prevalent on a mass scale, and most I’m sure are working fine. I’d guess, though, the percentage of problem exchanges is much higher than with regular retina displays. In my case, my Pro had edge bleeding at the slightest touch of the home button. That I didn’t like as it felt too sensitive and seemed prone to future issues.

About to complain and exchange, I noticed all the Apple Store display models did the same. At that point, I decided the Pro was not for me. I was perfectly happy with the regular retina display and didn’t see the value at 2 - 2 1/2 times the cost. But this is just me, and don’t want to speak for all Pro owners and their experiences.

 

[Tapiture]

Seems rather daft to go from a 9.7 Pro to the 5th gen and consider it an upgrade... if you really want an upgrade from the 9.7 Pro then just wait a couple months for the new Pro models.

 

[spiderman0616]

Seems rather daft to go from a 9.7 Pro to the 5th gen and consider it an upgrade... if you really want an upgrade from the 9.7 Pro then just wait a couple months for the new Pro models.

I have to agree here—it’s just not an upgrade.

 

[rui no onna]

I have to agree here—it’s just not an upgrade.

OP seems well aware the iPad 6th gen (2018) is not an upgrade and is potentially a downgrade. OP's planning on giving away the Pro 9.7 to someone who needs both ASK and Pencil, hence the need for a replacement.

I reckon the primary concern is that it's not too significant of a downgrade over the Pro 9.7.

 

[RevTEG]

You make a good point. There would be a real outcry if it was prevalent on a mass scale, and most I’m sure are working fine. I’d guess, though, the percentage of problem exchanges is much higher than with regular retina displays. In my case, my Pro had edge bleeding at the slightest touch of the home button. That I didn’t like as it felt too sensitive and seemed prone to future issues.

About to complain and exchange, I noticed all the Apple Store display models did the same. At that point, I decided the Pro was not for me. I was perfectly happy with the regular retina display and didn’t see the value at 2 - 2 1/2 times the cost. But this is just me, and don’t want to speak for all Pro owners and their experiences.

I like the 2018 iPad also. We have one of those in our house too. Works great with the pencil as well. I like that Apple gives us options at different price points. Great device.

 

[Makayla]

Some of the more expensive cases (not keyboard case) for iPad Pro 9.7 won't work for iPad 2018. I learned it the hard way.