Introduction
The Apple iPad Pro 3 (2018) was a groundbreaking tablet when it was launched. With the introduction of the Apple A12X Bionic chipset and a 12-core GPU, it set a new standard for performance in tablets. Although it’s been several years since its release, the iPad Pro 3 still holds its own in many areas and remains a viable option for users who want a powerful and reliable device. This post dives deep into the specs, highlights, and how the iPad Pro 3 still fits into the modern tech world.
Historical Context and Innovation
Back in 2018, Apple pushed the limits of tablet technology with the launch of the iPad Pro 3. It was one of the first tablets to include a desktop-class chipset, the Apple A12X Bionic, which delivered performance comparable to many laptops. The Liquid Retina Display and Face ID brought revolutionary changes to the design, doing away with the Home Button, which had been a staple of iPads up until then. This shift not only provided more screen real estate but also introduced more sophisticated security options.
Full Specifications Table
| Specification | 11-inch Wi-Fi (64 GB) | 11-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular (64 GB) | 11-inch Wi-Fi (256 GB) | 11-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular (256 GB) | 12.9-inch Wi-Fi (64 GB) | 12.9-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular (64 GB) | 12.9-inch Wi-Fi (256 GB) | 12.9-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular (256 GB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Price | $799 | $949 | $949 | $1099 | $999 | $1149 | $1149 | $1299 |
| Release Date | Nov 7, 2018 | Nov 7, 2018 | Nov 7, 2018 | Nov 7, 2018 | Nov 7, 2018 | Nov 7, 2018 | Nov 7, 2018 | Nov 7, 2018 |
| Operating System | iOS 12.1 | iOS 12.1 | iOS 12.1 | iOS 12.1 | iOS 12.1 | iOS 12.1 | iOS 12.1 | iOS 12.1 |
| Chipset | Apple A12X Bionic | Apple A12X Bionic | Apple A12X Bionic | Apple A12X Bionic | Apple A12X Bionic | Apple A12X Bionic | Apple A12X Bionic | Apple A12X Bionic |
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core | Octa-core | Octa-core | Octa-core | Octa-core | Octa-core | Octa-core |
| CPU Benchmark Score | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 |
| GPU | 12-core GPU | 12-core GPU | 12-core GPU | 12-core GPU | 12-core GPU | 12-core GPU | 12-core GPU | 12-core GPU |
| GPU Benchmark Score | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage (Internal) | 64 GB | 64 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Expandable Storage | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable |
| Screen Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Display | Retina, 4:3 | Retina, 4:3 | Retina, 4:3 | Retina, 4:3 | Retina, 4:3 | Retina, 4:3 | Retina, 4:3 | Retina, 4:3 |
| Screen Size | 11 inches | 11 inches | 11 inches | 11 inches | 12.9 inches | 12.9 inches | 12.9 inches | 12.9 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 1668 x 2388 pixels | 1668 x 2388 pixels | 1668 x 2388 pixels | 1668 x 2388 pixels | 2048 x 2732 pixels | 2048 x 2732 pixels | 2048 x 2732 pixels | 2048 x 2732 pixels |
| Main Camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Main Camera Features | HDR, Panorama, OIS | Same as Wi-Fi | Same as Wi-Fi | Same as Wi-Fi | Same as Wi-Fi | Same as Wi-Fi | Same as Wi-Fi | Same as Wi-Fi |
| Selfie Camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Battery Capacity | 7812 mAh | 7812 mAh | 7812 mAh | 7812 mAh | 9720 mAh | 9720 mAh | 9720 mAh | 9720 mAh |
| Charging | 18W Wired | 18W Wired | 18W Wired | 18W Wired | 18W Wired | 18W Wired | 18W Wired | 18W Wired |
| Weight | 468g | 468g | 468g | 468g | 631g | 633g | 631g | 633g |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm | 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm | 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm | 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm | 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm |
Key Highlights and Support Accessories
The Apple iPad Pro 3 was a beast of its time, and many of its key features are still relevant today:
- Apple A12X Bionic Chipset: The powerful 8-core processor still handles multitasking and demanding applications like video editing and gaming quite efficiently.
- Face ID: This was the first iPad series to ditch the Home Button in favor of Face ID, adding both security and a sleek, modern design.
- Liquid Retina Display: Offering vivid colors, a 120Hz refresh rate, and precise touch sensitivity, the display is a major highlight for media consumers and creatives alike.
- Apple Pencil 2 Support**: A great accessory for designers, artists, and students, the Apple Pencil 2 is still compatible with the iPad Pro 3, providing a seamless experience for creative tasks.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
- Battery Life Reduction Over Time:
With an older device, users may notice a reduction in battery life. Enabling Low Power Mode, reducing screen brightness, and keeping background apps closed can help preserve battery longevity. - Software Updates Affecting Performance:
Older iPads may experience slight performance slowdowns with newer iOS versions. To counteract this, users can disable background app refresh and limit certain visual effects in the Accessibility settings. - Storage Constraints:
With no expandable storage options, managing storage can become an issue. Cloud services like iCloud or Google Drive can help users store files without worrying about the iPad’s internal memory.
Comparison with Competitors
When the iPad Pro 3 was released, its main competitors were the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and Microsoft Surface Pro 6.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S4: It came with a Snapdragon 835 chipset, which was not as powerful as Apple’s A12X Bionic. The iPad Pro 3 also offered superior performance in creative tasks, thanks to its Apple Pencil 2 support and 120Hz display.
- Microsoft Surface Pro 6: While the Surface Pro 6 was more aligned with laptop use cases due to its full Windows OS, the iPad Pro 3 stood out with its superior portability, performance in creative applications, and longer battery life.
Today’s Use Cases
Despite being a few years old, the iPad Pro 3 can still tackle many tasks:
- Content Creation: With Apple Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard compatibility, it’s great for artists and writers.
- Entertainment: The large Liquid Retina Display and quad speakers make it excellent for consuming content, whether it’s Netflix or gaming.
- Professional Work: For tasks like presentations, video conferencing, or multitasking with Split View, the iPad Pro 3 continues to perform admirably.
Who Is Right for the iPad Pro 3?
The iPad Pro 3 is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for a powerful tablet at a lower price point can consider the iPad Pro 3, which still offers a lot of bang for the buck.
- Creatives: Artists and designers who need Apple Pencil compatibility and a reliable, powerful tablet for drawing, sketching, and editing will find this model highly useful.
- Professionals: The Magic Keyboard and Face ID make this tablet a perfect fit for professionals who need portability without sacrificing performance.
Conclusion
The Apple iPad Pro 3 (2018) may be a few years old, but it remains a powerhouse in its own right. With its A12X Bionic chip, Face ID, and Liquid Retina Display, it can still compete with many modern tablets on the market today. Whether you’re an artist, professional, or casual user, this device offers premium features and reliability, making it a great option for those looking to save money while still getting excellent performance.