iPad Pro Where are all the Apple refurbished 2018 iPP's coming from?

[Broadus]

For months it seems that you would rarely see a refurbished 2018, much less a 2020, iPad Pro in the online Apple Store. With the release of the 2021 iPP, though, there have been a lot of them.

I figured it was because of COVID with online teaching and work from home that greatly increased the demand. Of course, at least in the U.S., a lot of our society is back to normal, and that could account for more refurbs being available. It just seems interesting that so many 2018 refurbs are now available and no 2020 refurbs. I would have thought we would be seeing a lot of 2020 refurbs.

I had thought that the Apple refurbs were basically returned new tablets, but I guess that's not necessarily so.

Any thoughts?

 

[B_T_W]

Probably trade-ins. I traded in my 2018 pro towards the new M1 version, and assuming others did as well.

B

 

[mattdo93]

People who have 2020 refurbs are probably holding onto it because M1 iPads are not THAT much better unless you really want mini LED. There probably would be more 2020 refurb iPads in the coming months if WWDC brought Pro apps to iPad but it didn't.


People who bought 2018 iPads probably traded it in for M1 iPads. Whatever the reason is, I'm super happy they're finally refurbished and in stock. I was about to get the iPad Air 4 but saw that they're refurb and just copped one today. 120Hz FTW baby!!!

 

[sparksd]

My 2018 12.9 trade-in is in there. Went for the 2021.

 

[Broadus]

My 2018 12.9 trade-in is in there. Went for the 2021.

Thanks. I take it that your 2021 is also a 12.9. How does it compare with your 2018?

I've really been on the fence about the 2021. Even though my usage is light, I still want to be satisfied with the performance five years from now.

 

[sparksd]

Thanks. I take it that your 2021 is also a 12.9. How does it compare with your 2018?

I've really been on the fence about the 2021. Even though my usage is light, I still want to be satisfied with the performance five years from now.

Display is great - I just don't see the blooming issues. App reloads are rare where they used to be common. Heavier tasks such as rendering RAW images and exporting in Lightroom are faster. Weight delta is not noticeable. No "WWDC effect" for me as I wasn't really expecting anything that I would care much about. WiFi is faster - where the 2018 consistently had around 500Mbps down on my home WiFi, the 2021 is consistently at around 800. I have zero regrets on the upgrade (stayed with 512GB and WiFi).

 

[nocurrency5]

Display is great - I just don't see the blooming issues. App reloads are rare where they used to be common. Heavier tasks such as rendering RAW images and exporting in Lightroom are faster. Weight delta is not noticeable. No "WWDC effect" for me as I wasn't really expecting anything that I would care much about. WiFi is faster - where the 2018 consistently had around 500Mbps down on my home WiFi, the 2021 is consistently at around 800. I have zero regrets on the upgrade (stayed with 512GB and WiFi).

Oh wow so it’s got faster WiFi even if u don’t have 5G? I usually do crazy amounts of multitasking on my 2018 (just loads of different windows open), if your sure these will be faster i must consider a 2021 for sure. Anymore input would be really appreciated

 

[AutomaticApple]

Probably trade-ins. I traded in my 2018 pro towards the new M1 version, and assuming others did as well.

B

Yeah, I can confirm that.

 

[Broadus]

This info has been helpful. Reading widely over the forum has given me clearer picture. I had seriously thought about a 2018 12.9 refurb, but I don’t think that’s the best move long term.

 

[mattdo93]

This info has been helpful. Reading widely over the forum has given me clearer picture. I had seriously thought about a 2018 12.9 refurb, but I don’t think that’s the best move long term.

I think a refurb from 2018 FROM APPLE is still a good move since Apple replaces the battery, cleans and inspects it so thoroughly, and gives it a 1 year warranty. The hardware was years ahead of its time and is still top notch. It's still better than the latest 2020 iPad Air 4 (except for single-core but that's so minor)

Now, if you were buying a 2018 iPad Pro from someone on FB Marketplace or Craigslist, I would agree with you.

 

[Gandek]

Thanks for the 3rd gen 12.9 guys

 

[sparksd]

Oh wow so it’s got faster WiFi even if u don’t have 5G? I usually do crazy amounts of multitasking on my 2018 (just loads of different windows open), if your sure these will be faster i must consider a 2021 for sure. Anymore input would be really appreciated

It is definitely and consistently faster - that surprised me. And I tested in same locations every time.

 

[Ludatyk]

Display is great - I just don't see the blooming issues. App reloads are rare where they used to be common. Heavier tasks such as rendering RAW images and exporting in Lightroom are faster. Weight delta is not noticeable. No "WWDC effect" for me as I wasn't really expecting anything that I would care much about. WiFi is faster - where the 2018 consistently had around 500Mbps down on my home WiFi, the 2021 is consistently at around 800. I have zero regrets on the upgrade (stayed with 512GB and WiFi).

I have a feeling you will see blooming issues. I admit I was skeptical of it… but I can assure you it’s there. I experienced it when I did a hard reboot, because my internet was having issues at the time. But for the first time I am considering buying Apple Care for an iPad, something I’ll never imagine doing.

Right now… I’m choosing to ignore it, not as annoying as others make it out to be... but blooming does exist.

 

[sparksd]

I have a feeling you will see blooming issues. I admit I was skeptical of it… but I can assure you it’s there. I experienced it when I did a hard reboot, because my internet was having issues at the time. But for the first time I am considering buying Apple Care for an iPad, something I’ll never imagine doing.

Right now… I’m choosing to ignore it, not as annoying as others make it out to be... but blooming does exist.

I've looked long and hard in a totally dark room and don't see it. Since I don't use my iPad under those conditions at all, it's not an issue I'm concerned about at all. Or maybe I'm blind.

 

[Ludatyk]

I've looked long and hard in a totally dark room and don't see it. Since I don't use my iPad under those conditions at all, it's not an issue I'm concerned about at all. Or maybe I'm blind.

If you are using HDR content.. that's when it's shown. It's one of those things that you'll see it when it's there. It's not something you'll have to go searching for. I never went searching for it.. until it was displayed while watching Netflix.

But as I mention it's not a huge concern of mine, but I have no qualms to those who have issues to the point of returning it. Only reason why I'll consider Apple Care is if it gets to the point where it ruins the screen.

 

[sparksd]

If you are using HDR content.. that's when it's shown. It's one of those things that you'll see it when it's there. It's not something you'll have to go searching for. I never went searching for it.. until it was displayed while watching Netflix.

But as I mention it's not a huge concern of mine, but I have no qualms to those who have issues to the point of returning it. Only reason why I'll consider Apple Care is if it gets to the point where it ruins the screen.

I did - HDR content on YouTube and TV+. If it's there, it's clearly not bothering me. But I'm an old man so that's probably the reason.