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2018 vs. 2020 iPad Pro Buyer's Guide

Apple updated its famous iPad Pro lineup in March 2020, introducing a faster A12Z Bionic processor, dual rear cameras, a new LiDAR scanner for enhanced augmented reality capabilities, enhanced audio, and an optional Magic Keyboard adapter that adds a trackpad for the first time to the iPad.

While Apple no longer sells the preceding 2018 models, they appear to be readily available at third-party retailers. Since the 2018 model is two years older than the most recent iPad Pro, for a significantly lower price it can also be found. The two generations of iPad Pro seem superficially very close, so should you consider buying the older model to save money? The question of how to determine which of these two generations is better for you is answered by our guide.

Comparing the 2018 iPad Pro and the 2020 iPad Pro

Many of the characteristics of these two iPad Pro generations are almost exactly the same. The same features of the two iPad generations are described by Apple:

Similarities

• Liquid Retina 11-inch or 12.9-inch display with ProMotion technology and True Tone
• Up to 1TB storage
• Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio and Apple Pencil Compatible (2nd generation)
• USB‑C connector

The breakdown of Apple reveals that the two generations share a vast number of main characteristics. Even so, between the 2018 iPad Pro and the 2020 iPad Pro, including the monitor, the processor and the LiDAR scanner, there are a limited number of important variations that are worth highlighting.

Differences

2018 iPad Pro

• A12X Bionic chip with seven GPU cores that are working
• 4GB RAM, 6GB on 1TB model
• Standard microphones
• Single 12MP Wide camera
• Wi-Fi 5 connectivity

2020 iPad Pro

• A12Z Bionic chip with eight active GPU cores
• 6GB RAM
• "Studio-quality" microphones
• Dual cameras with 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide
• Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
• LiDAR Scanner

Read on to see what exactly both generations of the iPad Pro have to give for a closer look at each of these aspects.

A12X vs A12Z

The 2020 iPad Pro is fitted with an A12Z Bionic processor, which in the 2018 iPad Pro models is a small improvement over the A12X chip. The iPad Pro 2018 and 2020 contain the same processor from the A12 series. The only difference is that, with eight cores in all, the A12Z Bionic's GPU contains one more active core than the A12X.

Benchmarks of the latest iPad Pro have suggested that the A12Z 's performance is virtually similar to the A12X 's performance in the iPad Pro in 2018, but due to the addition of an eight-core GPU, there is a slight improvement in GPU performance. The two chips work almost exactly the same in single-core.

In multi-core, the A12Z performs only marginally better.

It has been reported that the A12Z is an A12X re-binned version with an additional enabled GPU core. Currently, the A12X has an eight-core GPU, but one of the cores is deactivated, so it is a 7-core GPU functionally. With the extra GPU core available, the A12Z is an A12X. This explains why the benchmarks and results are so similar.

For graphics-oriented activities, both ‌iPad‌ Pros can work identically in single-core, but in multi-core, the 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ will be at a marginal advantage. The newer processor also has a new thermal architecture and an improved performance controller.

The A12X in the 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ already had impressive performance. While Apple has clearly refined the chip for the 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌, the original A12X remains a powerful mobile processor.

On the basis of the processor, it is difficult to promote an upgrade because they are ultimately the same chip with minor differences, but users intending to use the iPad Pro for graphics-intense purposes, such as video editing and 3D model design, should consider the newer model for a slight performance bump.

It is extremely unlikely that users who opt for the older A12X model would find a difference in efficiency. So the A12X will be more than enough for your needs, unless you need optimum performance for graphics-based tasks.

Memory

6 GB of RAM is included in all 2020 iPad Pro models. Only the 2018 model with 1 TB of storage had 6 GB of RAM, while 4 GB was available for all other 2018 models.

RAM management and multitasking on iPadOS tend to be outstanding, so when making a decision about which iPad Pro to purchase, the amount of RAM is not a pressing necessity. For a very capable computer, both 4 GB and 6 GB configurations can have enough memory.

If you are worried about extreme multitasking and need to travel as fluidly as possible between spaces, the 2020 iPad Pro will definitely be the more future-proof model, but this is not to suggest that the RAM of the 2018 iPad Pro is inadequate.

Camera

With a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 10-megapixel super wide-angle camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a 125-degree field of view, the 2020 iPad Pro has a new dual-camera setup. Apple states that for a much broader field of view, the ultra wide-angle camera can be used to zoom out twice, doubling the possibilities of picture and video, allowing for multiple viewpoints and multi-camera use. This added flexibility will be appreciated by users who are keen on photography or videography with their ‌iPad Pro‌ as a large viewfinder.

The 2020 iPad Pro adds support, up from 1080p on the 2018 edition, for 4 K video recording. With four times higher quality images, videography and live-streaming would be dramatically better. The 2020 iPad Pro models, like the 2018 models, do not feature optical image stabilisation.

The 2018 model has a single rear camera with a 12-megapixel camera. The lens is actually the same as the 2020 model, so there is no need to upgrade for the enhanced camera setup unless you are especially interested in using the ultra-wide lens or photography is an integral part of your iPad Pro application scenario.

Microphones

The 2020 iPad Pro features a new microphone array, which Apple calls "studio-quality mics," capable of capturing "super clean audio." Audio recording is multi-channel and higher fidelity with five different microphones around the system. The 2020 iPad Pro provides a major upgrade on the previous model if you wish to use your iPad Pro for podcasting, videography with sound, or some other audio recording. The microphones of the 2018 iPad Pro, on the other hand, would still be sufficient for video calls and casual sound recording. The 2020 iPad Pro actually provides a much higher quality audio recording.

LiDAR

Accompanying the two-camera system on the 2020 iPad Pro is a new LiDAR scanner that uses reflected light to determine the distance of objects at nano-second speeds up to five metres away. LiDAR stands for' light detection and range.' This implies that an exact 3D model of objects and the layout of rooms can be built by the LiDAR scanner. Apple says that the new iPadOS depth frameworks integrate LiDAR scanner depth points with camera and motion sensor data for a whole new class of AR experiences on the iPad Pro.

Existing ARKit apps will benefit from instant AR placement, improved motion capture, and people occlusion. With new ARKit capabilities, developers can access a new Scene Geometry API that will result in new scenarios not possible without the LiDAR Scanner.

The 2018 model does not have a LiDAR scanner, and is totally dependent on its AR single camera lens. In three dimensions, it does not map objects or spaces. For this reason, AR developers should certainly buy the 2020 'iPad Pro.' The 2020 ⁇ iPad Pro ⁇ is worth considering if you are simply interested in AR and enjoy AR experiences and gaming. LiDAR and AR are a niche interest for most users and are still at an early stage, and the 2020 iPad Pro would not be worth having for its scanner.

Design

The 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ models have received no major design refreshes and continue to look almost exactly like the 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models, available in 11 and 12.9-inch sizes with an all-screen design and an edge-to-edge display that does not include a Home button. Like the 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models, the 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ features a TrueDepth camera system with Face ID that uses facial recognition for biometric authentication and a 7-megapixel front-facing camera. Apple offers the ‌iPad Pro‌ in either a Silver or Space Gray aluminum.

The back of the ‌iPad Pro‌ is where the biggest design shift is, with 2020 models featuring a square-shaped camera bump housing the wide-angle lens, ultra wide-angle lens, the latest LiDAR Scanner, and a True Tone light. The latest square-shaped camera bump is considerably larger than the prior vertical camera bump in the 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌, which featured a single-lens camera system.

The iPad Pro for 2020 is also significantly heavier than the one for 2018. However, at just 0.01 pounds heavier, the difference is nearly imperceptible. On the 2018 model, the industrial squared-off design debuted and still looks new, so design will probably not factor in the decision as to which of the two generations you should purchase.

Connectivity

WiFi 6, better known as 802.11ax, is supported by the 2020 iPad Pro models. When there are multiple WiFi devices in the same region, the new standard provides faster speeds, improved network bandwidth, better power efficiency, lower latency, and upgraded connectivity. WiFi 6 devices also support WPA3, which provides enhanced cryptographic strength as a security protocol.

The 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ offers Gigabit-class LTE on cellular models. Apple says that these new modem chips support the most bands ever in an ‌iPad‌. Both the 2018 and 2020 ‌iPad‌ Pros feature a single a USB-C port for charging and connecting to accessories, and support Bluetooth 5.0 technology.

In terms of wireless networking, the 2020 iPad has a strong benefit, but in most situations, the difference means that it is a more future-proof model, rather than a distinctly quicker experience. This is because there will be no WiFi 6 network for many users to take advantage of. The 2020 model will provide newer wireless networking solutions that will be beneficial in years to come if you wish to keep your iPad Pro for several years.

The Accessories

The second-generation Apple Pencil, which connects and charges through a magnetic connexion on the side of the iPad, is used for both the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro. Neither is consistent with the Apple Pencil of the first generation.

For the 2020 iPad Pro, Apple has developed a new Magic Keyboard, which is basically a new version of the Smart Keyboard, fitted with a trackpad, backlit keys, and a 1 mm key travel scissor-switch mechanism. Although the Magic Keyboard debuted alongside the 2020 iPad Pro and features a wider camera cutout to account for the ultra-wide camera and LiDAR scanner of the newer model, it is still entirely compatible with the previous iPad Pro 2018. This is because the same Smart Connector on the back is available for both the iPad Pro 2018 and 2020. The Smart Connector interface can transfer both power and data, so there is no need for batteries or a Bluetooth link for accessories that connect to the iPad Pro via it.

The 2020 model will continue to work on any third-party USB-C or Bluetooth devices for the 2018-iPad Pro, and vice versa. This means that when deciding between the iPad Pro 2018 and 2020, accessories and compatibility do not need to be weighed in your decision.

Other Choices on iPad

Beyond the iPad Pro, Apple produces three kinds of iPad: the low-cost 10.2-inch iPad, the 7.9-inch iPad mini, and the 10.5-inch iPad Air. If you are already considering the iPad Pro, it is extremely doubtful that your specifications will be fulfilled by the low-cost iPad or iPad mini. The only possible replacement for the iPad Pro is the 10.5-inch iPad Air, with support for a Smart Keyboard and the first-generation Apple Pencil.

In the centre of the iPad family, the 10.5-inch iPad Air lies, starting at $499 for Wi-Fi only models. With an acceptable screen size, rapid internals, and first-generation Apple Pencil support, The perfect mid-tier selection is the iPad Air. If you prefer a physical keyboard, the iPad Air has a Smart Connector for a simple connexion to a Smart Keyboard accessory. If your workflow revolves around lighter content consumption, digital illustration, or writing, the ‌iPad Air‌ might be a viable choice instead of the ‌iPad Pro‌.

Which iPad Pro Should You Buy?

The 2020 iPad Pro is very much an evolution of the previous 2018 edition, with enhancements and fine-tuning of some aspects. It is these particular areas that will be the reason to prefer the 2020 model, such as LiDAR, the camera setup, and the additional graphics core on the A12Z. The 2020 iPad Pro should also be taken into account by users intending to retain their iPad Pro for the long term, as its minor changes would make it much more future-proof in years to come.

There is no major reason to spend more on the newer model if these things are not important to you. The 2018 'iPad Pro' should be more than sufficient for your needs for most users. The 2020 iPad Pro shows only very slight changes over its predecessor, despite arriving a year and a half later.