Apple has officially unveiled the new iPad Pro (2018). Improvements over last year’s model include a new design, a Liquid Retina display, Face ID, TrueDepth camera, the A12X Bionic chip, and surprise, surprise, a USB Type-C connection.
Available in 11.0-inch and 12.9-inch variants, both version comes with Apple’s Liquid Retina display that allows the screen to populate most of the available space at the front. The new display design also follows the rounded curves of the unibody enclosure. The screen also comes with wide color support, True Tone, and an anti-reflective coating for a natural and accurate viewing experience both outdoors and indoors.
Powering the Apple iPad Pro is the company’s own A12X Bionic chip. Built on a 7nm lithography, the A12X Bionic comes with four performance cores and four efficiency cores that Apple says can reach 35% faster single-core performance. Apple has also implemented a new performance controller for simultaneous use of all eight cores for up to 90% performance boost during multi-threaded tasks.
As for graphics, the A12X Bionic has a seven-core GPU that promises to deliver up to twice the graphic performance of the previous iteration. Apple says that this new architecture can last up to 10-hours in just a single charge.
Of course, AI has been implemented on the iPad Pro (2018) as well. Inside the device is a Neural Engine for advanced machine learning for tasks such as AR and photography that can complete up to 5 trillion operations per second. The new Neural Engine also allows the iPad Pro (2018) to have Face ID, faster plane detection for AR apps as well as overall improved performance for apps and features that use real-time machine learning.
Alongside the iPad Pro (2018) are the new Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio. Available as a separate purchase from the iPad Pro (2018), the Apple Pencil increases precision and productivity. The new Pencil also attaches magnetically to the iPad Pro for pairing and wireless charging.
The Smart Keyboard Folio, meanwhile, protects the iPad Pro while still giving a keyboard to its users. I’s easily adjustable for either lap or desk use. Together with the Apple Pencil, both accessories can largely increase the multitasking abilities of its user.
The iPad Pro (2018) now comes with a USB Type-C connector in lieu of a Lightning connector of previous iPad iterations. The USB Type-C on the device supports USB 3.1 Gen2 speeds as well as support to drive up to 5K displays. Users can also now use the iPad Pro to charge their iPhones.
The iPad Pro (2018) is now available in Silver and Space Gray via the official Apple Philippines website and comes in several different SKUs:
| Storage | iPad Pro (2018) 11.0-inch (WiFi) | iPad Pro (2018) 11.0-inch (LTE) |
| 64GB | PhP 51,990 | PhP 61,490 |
| 256GB | PhP 61,490 | PhP 70,990 |
| 512GB | PhP 73,990 | PhP 83,490 |
| 1TB | PhP 98,990 | PhP 108,490 |
| Storage | iPad Pro (2018) 12.9-inch (WiFi) | iPad Pro (2018) 12.9-inch (LTE) |
| 64GB | PhP 64,490 | PhP 73,990 |
| 256GB | PhP 73,990 | PhP 83,490 |
| 512GB | PhP 86,490 | PhP 95,990 |
| 1TB | PhP 111,490 | PhP 120,990 |
The Smart Keyboard Folio will be sold for PhP 10,990 and PhP 12,290 for the 11.0-inch and 12.9-inch, respectively. The Apple Pencil, on the other hand, will cost PhP 7,990.