iPad Pro: Buy now or wait? (2023)

FAQs

Is it worth buying an iPad Pro now or wait? ›

iPad Pro: Why you should wait

The only real reason to wait is to hope for sales. You typically don't see sales on such new hardware–it will probably be the summer of 2023 before real discounts on the latest models start to appear.

Overall, the ‌2022 iPad Pro‌ is a very minor upgrade over the 2021 model, with the ‌M2‌ chip and ‌Apple Pencil‌ hover being the only significant changes, meaning that it is difficult to recommend upgrading.

If you desire an iPad Pro that has similar or better performance than the Mac Air, then M1 might be your best bet. However, if you want a high-performing iPad Pro, you'd better wait for the M2 release.

Promising news for iPad Pro customers, then. But the coming year doesn't look like being anywhere near as much fun. Regarding the standard iPad, the mini, and the iPad Air, Gurman says there are no major updates coming in 2023. And the iPad Pro “for sure isn't getting anything of note this year.”

Apple upgraded both of its iPad Pro models for 2022, with the 11-inch iPad Pro starting at $799 and the 12.9-inch version starting at $1,099 (this review focuses on the latter). Both have the same story—same design as their predecessors, updated chip inside.

Apple supports the iPad with new software updates for years longer than Android manufacturers support their tablets, but every iPad will eventually have support removed. It typically occurs between five to eight years after the iPad was released.

iPad storage: size Apps and games

If you don't have a ton of apps or games on your iPad, 64GB will work just fine. If you have a fair number of apps and games, consider 128GB or 256GB. If you plan to do any graphics-heavy design work, get a 512GB or even more capacious model.

Outside of improved Wi-Fi and a faster processor, the only other notable feature coming to the new iPad Pro is the Apple Pencil's hover feature. If you're someone who doesn't use an Apple Pencil, or you only use one sparingly, then the 2022 iPad Pro doesn't really bring any extra value to the table over the 2021 model.

Should you buy it? Pick the 2022 iPad Pro if you want the extra power and better screen over other iPads. It's very fast, the screen display and speakers are excellent for kicking back and watching movies, and it's a great tablet for creatives who need added power for video or photo editing.

Is M1 overkill for iPad? ›

Surely, the M1 is overkill for a tablet. It's way more powerful than what is required for any of the things you can do on an iPad.

The M2 iPad Pro Isn't Worth the Upgrade for Most People

Even though the M2 iPad Pro squeezes even more performance than ever into the iPad, it's not a worthwhile upgrade for most people. The M1 iPad Pro and iPad Air models still deliver incredible performance, battery life, and portability, all for less money.

A 14.1-inch ‌iPad‌ was previously rumored to launch in in early 2023, but the latest reports suggest such a device is no longer in the works. While it was initially said to feature a mini-LED display and ProMotion technology, it was later believed to feature an LCD display like the ‌iPad Air‌.

iPad availability is extremely constrained due to significantly increased demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most iPads have a 1-2 week window before shipping, and an additional 1-2 weeks for shipping. iPad Pros are constrained additionally due to the upcoming Apple Silicon Macs.

The iPad Pro 2022 has a starting retail price of $799/£899 for the 11-inch model and $1,099/£1,249 for the 12.9-inch model. These prices are for the WiFi only tablets with the lowest 128GB of storage space - prices will vary dependant on cellular compatibility and larger storage sizes.

Apple, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are all taking preorders for the 2022 iPad, which is set to launch on Wednesday, October 26th. The base model starts with 64GB of storage and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity for $449. If you prefer more storage, you can opt for the 256GB model for $599.

The iPad 10.9 (2022) is available for pre-order now, and starts shipping on October 26.

However after about 5-6 years Apple will stop updating iOS on the device, and gradually publishers of apps will stop supporting that old version of the operating system, so it depends what you do with it, and how long the apps you use continue to be supported.

The iPad Pro beats the iPad Air on pretty much every front. It's bigger, more powerful, thanks to its M2 chip, compared to the Air's M1, and represents the best iPad in the current lineup. However, it is more expensive — while the Air starts at $599, the Pro starts at $799, and that's for the 11-inch model.

Can I leave my iPad charging overnight? ›

There is no “memory effect” like older Nickel Cadmium batteries, so you can charge your iPad anytime you want and even leave it on a charger overnight. The battery will also charge very rapidly, to about 80% in a few hours, while the last 20% is more of a trickle charge and takes longer.

A 256GB storage capacity is always a solid choice. You can download all your favorite apps and the latest games without worrying about storage. You can easily save your holiday photos and videos on an iPad with 256GB. Download a season of your favorite series for on the plane, for example.

This gives you extra storage for some of your favorite files. 512GB is fine if you plan to store and access your media on external storage options. However, 1TB is the more reliable storage option choice if you are unreliant on these other as storage services or just want more security for your device.

While storage capacity for traditional computers comes from a hard drive, iPads use flash storage memory, which is why the capacity may be called the memory. While the RAM plays a part in your iPad's speed, the storage capacity doesn't. An iPad with 16GB of storage is as fast as a similar model with 128GB.

The standard iPad has a 10.9-inch screen, as well as an M2 processor. The iPad Pro has the same M2 chip, but still offers better performance overall. It's also slightly larger, with an 11-inch or 12.9-inch screen. It also has a USB-C port, whereas the standard iPad retains the old Apple lightning port.

Overall, the upgraded features of the 2021 ‌iPad Pro‌ models are significant but very specific. It will only be worth getting the 2021 model over its predecessor or upgrading to it from the 2020 model if you have a clear use case for features like Thunderbolt, more RAM or storage, or a better front-facing camera.

While the best iPad deals come around during major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day, you can still find plenty of great discounts at all times of the year if you know where to look.

Though the iPad Pro 2022 may not be a revolutionary tablet, it could still be a worthwhile purchase for folks who want to take advantage of current and future M2-specific features. However, those who mainly use their current iPad to consume streaming content or play simple mobile games may not need the new tablet.

The Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022) is by all accounts, a phenomenal tablet. It isn't perfect - it's doesn't change up the design compared to its predecessor, the battery isn't as good as other iPad models and the iPadOS software continues to have limitations compared to macOS - but there is an awful lot to love here.

What is the disadvantage of M1 chip? ›

Disadvantages. M1 is still new and is undergoing a process of change constantly. But there are cons too of M1 processors that have been seen in the M1 chip. GPUs Or Multiple Screens Displays are not Supported – Gamers have consistently dealt with issues while utilizing Macs, and the M1-based are the same.

It is still a super powerful device and supports all the latest features of iPadOS 16, including Stage Manager. The M1 iPad Pro also has technologies like ProMotion, Thunderbolt support, and up to 2TB of storage combined with 8GB or 16GB of RAM.

Performance. The main difference between the new and old iPad Pro is the upgrade from an M1 to M2 chip. That delivers up to an 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU (10-core vs 8-core), and a 2x boost in memory bandwidth from 50GB/s to 100GB/s. Note: 128, 256 and 512GB models have 8GB RAM, 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB RAM.

With its powerful CPU, M2 Pro can compile code up to 25 percent faster than M1 Pro, and up to 2.5x faster than MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i9 processor.

In our testing, the M2 has an 18 percent faster CPU than the M1. The new chip doesn't just mean that the new Macs can accomplish more though, they use less power doing so: Apple promises an increased CPU performance of 18 percent with the same energy consumption thanks to various optimizations.

CPU. MacBook Pro with M2 Pro offers up to 20% greater performance than M1 Pro, thanks to its 10- or 12-core CPU. It also offers exceptional battery life and connectivity even when disconnected from the power cord. This makes it an ideal choice for those seeking better productivity from their laptop.

Potentially larger iPads

We've heard talk of both 14.1-inch and 16-inch iPad models in the works, and The Information (opens in new tab) says that the latter is currently scheduled for Q4 2023. The smaller model, meanwhile, could arrive in “early 2023” according to display analyst Ross Young.

iPhone 15, HomePod & 15-inch MacBook: Apple Products To Launch in 2023. The Cupertino-based tech giant Apple began the year with the launch of the iPhone Se 3rd Gen. Apple later went on to launch new MacBook Air with an M2 chip and MagSafe charging, and the highly-anticipated iPhone 14 series.

Launched in February 2022, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the best iPad alternative you can get right now. Its 14.6-inch Super AMOLED screen is not just very generous but it also boasts high-end picture quality.

Why does Apple discontinued Pro models? ›

There's currently a global chip shortage, due to which Apple had already been expecting supply constraints. It only makes sense that they would redirect the limited resources towards newer models, especially when the iPhone 13 supply and waiting period has already been impacted due to this shortage.

Well, it will soon no longer. Apple announced Tuesday that it will discontinue production of its iconic device, with the remaining stock only available "while supplies last." For many, the iPod touch specifically was an entryway to Apple's wider ecosystem.

The 2022 Apple iPad Pro offers the same external hardware and design as the 2021 model. The biggest upgrades are the latest M2 processor and a new feature for the Apple Pencil. The 2022 iPad Pro remains the best and most powerful tablet if you're willing to pay for it.

For free recycling of your old iPad, a prepaid shipping label, and instructions, see the Apple Trade In website. The symbol above means that according to local laws and regulations your product and/or its battery shall be disposed of separately from household waste.

As a rule of thumb, if your iPad is more than five years old, you'll probably notice slower performance. On the other hand, you could be happily using an iPad from six or seven years ago with no major problems. To get an idea of how long your iPad should last, start by identifying your iPad model.

It's still totally fine to buy the 2021 11-inch iPad Pro and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but try not to spend more than $600 and $950, respectively. The same goes for the 2020 11-inch iPad Pro and the 2020 12.9 incher, but just try not to spend more than $500 and $700. Anything more and you may as well buy the latest.

The new iPad 2022 takes Apple's base model tablet into the future. Or at least the present. The large bezels, ancient Home button and Lightning port are gone, replaced with a larger 10.9-inch display that nearly goes edge to edge, a power button with Touch ID built in and USB-C charging.

An iPad with 64GB storage or less is suitable if you want to browse the internet, check your email, Facetime, or watch series. It's enough storage capacity to download apps and play some games.

If you don't have a ton of apps or games on your iPad, 64GB will work just fine. If you have a fair number of apps and games, consider 128GB or 256GB. If you plan to do any graphics-heavy design work, get a 512GB or even more capacious model.

What is the iPad Pro good for? ›

Should you buy it? Pick the 2022 iPad Pro if you want the extra power and better screen over other iPads. It's very fast, the screen display and speakers are excellent for kicking back and watching movies, and it's a great tablet for creatives who need added power for video or photo editing.

Two iPads will no longer get Apple software updates: the iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2.

Ultimately, both of these designs are useful for different people. If you want an iPad that will function as a laptop replacement, then the iPad 2022 is right for you. If it's a traditional tablet that's used for light browsing, then the thicker bezels of the iPad 2021 may appeal.

iPads generally have a lifespan of about 5 years. Keep your software as up-to-date as possible. Plan to replace your tablet every 3 years. Reference Table 1 below to determine if your iPad is still supported.

Apple saw a sharp decline in iPad sales in fiscal 2022, according to earnings results for the fourth quarter that were shared today. iPads brought in $29.2 billion in 2022, down from the $31.8 billion in sales Apple saw in 2021. For most of 2022, iPads saw little attention and supplies were notably constrained.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in December that the seventh-generation ‌iPad‌ will begin mass shipments towards the end of 2023 or in the first half of 2024.

With the global supply shortages continuing to cause problems, multiple sources have confirmed Apple has decided to cut iPad production by around 50%. Older iPhone models are also not immune, with some components from the iPhone 12 or earlier being re-allocated to iPhone 13 production.