IPad Pro 2020 12-inch: In-Depth Review & Guide

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iPad Pro 2020 12-inch: In-Depth Review & Guide

Hey guys! Let's dive deep into the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch. This tablet has been around for a while now, but it still holds its own in today's tech world. We're going to break down everything from its design and performance to its display and overall value. Whether you're considering buying a used one, or just curious about this powerhouse, this review is for you. We'll cover all the important details so you can make an informed decision. So, buckle up! Let's get started!

Design and Build Quality

When you first lay eyes on the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch, the sleek design immediately grabs your attention. Apple has always been known for its premium build quality, and this tablet is no exception. The unibody aluminum design feels incredibly solid and robust. The edges are flat, giving it a modern and sophisticated look. This design language has become a staple of Apple's recent products and it works really well here. It’s a design that feels premium and is built to last. It’s not just about looks, though; this design choice contributes to the overall structural integrity of the device. You don't get any flex or creaks, which is a testament to the quality of the materials and assembly. The 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display dominates the front, surrounded by relatively thin bezels, maximizing the screen real estate. This makes the viewing experience incredibly immersive, whether you're working, watching movies, or browsing the web. The front-facing camera is centered above the display, while the back features the iconic Apple logo and a dual-camera system housed in a slightly protruding square. The placement of the USB-C port and the Smart Connector is also well thought out, providing convenient connectivity options. The speakers are strategically placed on the top and bottom edges, providing a great stereo sound experience when you hold the iPad in landscape mode. The volume and power buttons are easily accessible and feel tactile. In terms of size and weight, it’s a large tablet, but given the screen size, it's remarkably portable. You can easily slip it into a bag or carry it around, though one-handed use is definitely not something you’ll be doing. Despite its size, the weight distribution is excellent, which helps with comfort during extended use. The iPad Pro 2020 12-inch comes in two classic colors: Space Gray and Silver. Both options look sleek and professional, catering to different style preferences. The build quality, combined with the design, makes the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch a standout product. It’s a device that feels as good as it looks, and its durability means you can rely on it for years to come. The materials used, the construction, and the overall fit and finish are all top-notch. It’s a premium product that is worth the investment.

Display: The Visual Experience

Let’s talk about the display, because the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display on the iPad Pro 2020 is a real showstopper. This screen is absolutely stunning. From the moment you turn it on, the vibrant colors and incredible clarity will captivate you. The Liquid Retina technology ensures that the display looks amazing from every angle. It has a high resolution, delivering crisp and detailed images, perfect for both work and play. The display's brightness is excellent, making it easy to use even in direct sunlight. This is particularly important for those who like to work outdoors or in well-lit environments. The ProMotion technology is a standout feature, and this is what really makes the display shine. This tech dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz. What does this mean? It makes everything feel incredibly smooth and responsive. Scrolling through web pages, playing games, and even just navigating the interface feels fluid and seamless. This isn't just a gimmick; it genuinely enhances the user experience, making everything feel faster and more intuitive. The color accuracy of the display is also spot-on, making it ideal for creative professionals such as photographers and video editors. The display can accurately reproduce a wide range of colors, giving you true-to-life images and videos. The iPad Pro 2020 also supports True Tone technology. This feature automatically adjusts the display's color temperature to match the ambient lighting in your environment. This is easy on the eyes and helps reduce eye strain, especially during long periods of use. The display’s ability to handle HDR content is another big plus. When watching HDR videos, you'll notice a wider dynamic range, with deeper blacks and brighter highlights. This provides a more immersive viewing experience. The bezels surrounding the display are relatively thin, maximizing the screen real estate. This contributes to the immersive viewing experience, making it feel like you're completely immersed in the content. The display on the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch is a major selling point. It's a joy to use, and it enhances every aspect of your experience, from casual browsing to professional creative work. The combination of resolution, brightness, ProMotion, and color accuracy makes it one of the best tablet displays on the market.

Performance: Power Under the Hood

Under the hood, the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch is a powerhouse. It’s equipped with the A12Z Bionic chip, and let me tell you, this thing is fast. The A12Z Bionic chip is a significant upgrade from its predecessors, offering improved performance and efficiency. This chip is designed to handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. Whether you’re editing 4K videos, playing graphics-intensive games, or running multiple applications simultaneously, the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch handles it all without breaking a sweat. The chip’s architecture is optimized for performance and power efficiency. This means you get excellent performance without sacrificing battery life. The chip's eight-core CPU and eight-core GPU ensure that everything runs smoothly. The CPU handles complex calculations and background processes, while the GPU takes care of graphics rendering, providing a seamless visual experience. The tablet comes with various storage options, ranging from 128GB to 1TB. This gives you plenty of space to store all your files, documents, and media. The ample storage ensures that you don't have to worry about running out of space, even if you are a heavy user. The iPad Pro 2020 also has 6GB of RAM, which helps with multitasking. You can quickly switch between apps, and the tablet will keep all your apps running in the background. The performance is not just about raw speed. It also about how the tablet handles tasks, and the iPad Pro 2020 excels here. The responsiveness of the interface, the speed at which apps load, and the overall user experience are all top-notch. The A12Z Bionic chip is not just about speed. It also enhances the performance of features like augmented reality (AR) applications. The tablet’s powerful processing capabilities make AR experiences more realistic and engaging. The combination of the A12Z Bionic chip, ample RAM, and storage options makes the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch a powerful device. It’s perfect for both professionals and casual users, delivering exceptional performance in all areas. Whether you are a creative professional, a gamer, or someone who just enjoys using a fast and reliable tablet, the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch has you covered.

Accessories: Enhancing the Experience

Apple's ecosystem of accessories really elevates the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch experience. Let's take a look at some of the most notable ones.

  • Apple Pencil (2nd generation): This is a must-have accessory, especially if you're into creative work, note-taking, or even just general productivity. The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro and charges wirelessly. It’s incredibly responsive and accurate, making it feel like you're writing or drawing on paper. The low latency ensures that your strokes appear instantly on the screen, providing a seamless and natural experience. The Apple Pencil offers pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition, allowing you to create a wide range of effects, from fine lines to bold strokes. You can use it for drawing, sketching, annotating documents, and taking detailed notes. It’s a game-changer for digital artists and anyone who loves to create. The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) is more than just a stylus; it’s an extension of your creativity. You can also use it to navigate the interface, which is super helpful, especially when multitasking or using apps with complex layouts.
  • Magic Keyboard: If you plan to use your iPad Pro for serious work, the Magic Keyboard is a game-changer. It transforms the iPad Pro into a laptop-like experience with a built-in trackpad and comfortable, backlit keys. The keyboard connects magnetically and offers a floating design, which allows you to adjust the viewing angle for optimal comfort. The trackpad is smooth and responsive, allowing you to navigate the interface with precision. The keyboard also provides a full row of function keys, making it easy to adjust brightness, volume, and other settings. The Magic Keyboard offers a full-size keyboard experience, so it is perfect for long typing sessions. It is the perfect companion if you want to use your iPad Pro to handle emails, write documents, or work on spreadsheets. The keyboard's sturdy build and excellent typing experience make it a valuable addition for productivity.
  • Smart Keyboard Folio: A lighter, more compact option than the Magic Keyboard. The Smart Keyboard Folio acts as both a keyboard and a protective cover. It attaches magnetically and offers a comfortable typing experience, although the keys are not backlit. It's a great choice if you prioritize portability and want a more streamlined setup. The Smart Keyboard Folio is ideal for those who want to type on the go and do not need a trackpad or the additional features of the Magic Keyboard.
  • USB-C Accessories: The USB-C port on the iPad Pro allows you to connect a wide variety of accessories, including external hard drives, displays, and card readers. This versatility expands the functionality of the tablet and enhances its capabilities. You can connect to external monitors for a larger display, use external storage devices to back up your files, or use card readers to transfer photos and videos. The USB-C port supports fast data transfer speeds, ensuring that your workflow is efficient and productive.

The accessories significantly enhance the functionality and versatility of the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch. Whether you are a creative professional, a student, or someone who needs to be productive on the go, these accessories will help you make the most of your tablet. The integration of accessories into the Apple ecosystem is seamless, making the iPad Pro a powerful and versatile device. It's an investment that significantly enhances the overall user experience and expands the tablet’s capabilities.

Camera and Audio

Let’s explore the camera and audio capabilities of the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch. These features are often overlooked but are essential for an overall great user experience.

Camera

The iPad Pro 2020 12-inch features a dual-camera system on the back. This setup includes a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 10MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The addition of the ultra-wide lens is a major plus, as it allows you to capture more in your shots. This is perfect for landscapes, group photos, and any situation where you want to fit more into the frame. The cameras on the iPad are capable of taking high-quality photos and videos. They can capture detailed images with good color accuracy and dynamic range. The rear cameras also support 4K video recording, allowing you to capture stunning footage. The iPad Pro 2020 also has a 7MP front-facing camera, which is great for video calls and selfies. The camera is capable of recording 1080p video, ensuring that your video calls look clear and sharp. The camera also supports features such as portrait mode, which blurs the background to create a professional-looking effect. The inclusion of these cameras makes the iPad Pro 2020 a versatile device. You can use it to capture photos and videos, scan documents, and participate in video calls. The camera quality is good enough for everyday use. While the camera isn't the primary focus of the iPad Pro, it is more than capable for its intended uses.

Audio

When it comes to audio, the iPad Pro 2020 truly shines. It has a four-speaker audio system, with speakers located on the top and bottom edges of the device. This provides a rich and immersive stereo sound experience, whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or playing games. The speakers are loud and clear, with good bass response. They can easily fill a room with sound, making the iPad Pro a great option for entertainment. The audio quality is also excellent, with clear highs and well-defined mids. This makes it a great choice for listening to music or podcasts. The iPad Pro also has a five-microphone array, which is designed to capture clear audio for video recordings and video calls. The microphones effectively reduce background noise, ensuring that your voice is heard clearly. This is a great feature for anyone who needs to make video calls or record voiceovers. The combination of the speaker system and the microphone array makes the iPad Pro 2020 an excellent device for both media consumption and communication. The audio experience is a standout feature of the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch. The quality of the speakers, the microphone array, and the overall audio experience make it a top choice for entertainment and communication.

Battery Life: Keeping You Powered

Battery life is a critical factor for any tablet, and the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch does a solid job in this area. It has a battery that is designed to last a full day of use. Apple claims up to 10 hours of battery life for general web browsing and video playback, and in real-world testing, these claims hold pretty well. The battery life depends on how you use the device. If you're using it for light tasks, like web browsing and email, you can expect the battery to last even longer. If you’re engaging in more demanding activities, like gaming or video editing, the battery will drain faster. The A12Z Bionic chip is designed to be energy-efficient, which helps to extend battery life. The chip optimizes power consumption, ensuring that the tablet is efficient in its use of energy. The iPad Pro 2020 charges via USB-C, which provides fast charging capabilities. The charging time depends on the charger you use. With a fast charger, you can recharge the tablet relatively quickly. The battery life is generally a strong point, making the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch a reliable device for on-the-go use. Whether you are using it for work or leisure, you can be confident that the battery will last throughout your day. Apple's optimization of both the hardware and software contributes to the excellent battery life of the iPad Pro 2020. The battery performance makes it a great choice for anyone who needs a tablet that can keep up with their busy lives.

Value and Verdict

Alright, let’s wrap things up with a look at the value of the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch and give our final verdict. The iPad Pro 2020 12-inch was a premium device when it was first released, and it continues to hold its value. It comes with a higher price tag compared to other tablets on the market, but you are getting a lot for your money. You are getting a premium build, a stunning display, a powerful processor, and a versatile feature set. The price can be a barrier for some, but the value is there if you need the performance and features that the iPad Pro offers. The overall value of the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch depends on your needs and budget. If you are looking for a top-of-the-line tablet with the best performance and features, this is a great option. However, if you are looking for a more affordable tablet for basic tasks, there may be other options that are a better fit. When considering the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch, it’s essential to evaluate your individual needs and how you plan to use the tablet. If you are a creative professional, a student, or someone who needs a powerful tablet for work, this is a great investment. If you just need a tablet for casual browsing, video streaming, and basic productivity, you may be better off with a more affordable option. The iPad Pro 2020 12-inch is a premium tablet with top-of-the-line performance and features. It provides an excellent user experience for those who need a powerful and versatile tablet. The value is there if you are willing to invest in it, but make sure it aligns with your specific needs. The iPad Pro 2020 12-inch offers a premium experience that is worth the investment.

Pros:

  • Stunning 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display with ProMotion technology
  • Powerful A12Z Bionic chip for exceptional performance
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Excellent battery life
  • Versatile accessory ecosystem (Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, etc.)
  • Great cameras
  • Impressive audio quality

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • Size may be too large for some users

Verdict

The iPad Pro 2020 12-inch is still a fantastic tablet in 2024. Its stunning display, powerful performance, and ecosystem of accessories make it a great choice for professionals and anyone who wants the best tablet experience. If the price isn't a barrier and you want a top-of-the-line tablet, this is definitely one to consider.

I hope this review gives you a comprehensive overview of the iPad Pro 2020 12-inch. Thanks for reading, and happy tech-ing, guys!