Apple iPad Pro 2020: Cheat sheet

With the A12Z Bionic processor chip, Apple’s 2020 iPad Pro has the highest performance ever in an iPad tablet. The chip has an eight-core CPU and Neural Engine, and Apple claims that it runs with more power and speed than most Windows PC laptops.

To help CXOs, IT leaders, and other business professionals learn about Apple’s 2020 iPad Pro, we’ve put together the most important details and resources in this cheat sheet. This article will be updated as new, relevant information becomes public.

SEE: Apple iPad Pro 2020: Cheat sheet (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

What is the iPad Pro 2020?

The iPad Pro 2020 is the latest iPad in Apple’s Pro line, joined in the lineup by the standard iPad, iPad Mini, and iPad Air. The first iPad Pro, which was announced in 2015, had a 12.9-inch screen. In 2016, a 9.7-inch version was revealed, followed by the second generation iPad Pro line (12.9-inch and 10.5-inch) in 2017. The last iPad Pro was introduced in 2018.

Apple released on March 18, 2020 its new iPad Pro alongside a new MacBook Air. To better compete with alternatives like the Microsoft Surface Pro and Google Pixelbook Go, Apple updated the iPad Pro with new hardware and software features that could further its appeal with the professional crowd.

The same as the iPad in 2018, the iPad Pro 2020 comes in 11- and 12.9-inch sizes. The iPad Pro 2020’s upgrades include a new Magic Keyboard accessory (sold separately and available for purchase in May 2020) that offers a backlit keyboard and trackpad, new studio-quality microphones, wide and ultrawide cameras, and a LiDAR Scanner with depth-sensing abilities that helps with the augmented reality (AR) in ARKit apps.

Additional resources

• Apple’s new MacBook Air and iPad Pro: New floating case, trackpad support and lidar (CNET)
• Apple demos iPad’s new trackpad (CNET)
• Apple’s new iPad Pro arrives with updated chip and camera, AR scanner (ZDNet)
• iPad Pro: Apple’s new Magic Keyboard aims to make you more productive (ZDNet)
• Apple finally gives iPads trackpad support (ZDNet)
• Apple finally decides the iPad Pro is a computer (and isn’t) (ZDNet)

SEE: Apple iPadOS: A cheat sheet (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

What are the specifications for the iPad Pro 2020?

• Finish: Silver or Space Gray

• Capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi only, or Wi-Fi plus cellular

• Display: 11″ Liquid Retina LED display or 12.9″ Liquid Retina LED display

• Chip: A12Z Bionic processor chip with 64-bit architecture and Neural Engine

• Camera: Five-element lens 12MP (Wide) or 10MP (Ultra Wide) camera with 2x optical zoom out and digital zoom up to 5x

• TrueDepth camera: 7MP photos

• Video: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps (Wide); 60 fps (Ultra Wide)
  1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
  720p HD video recording at 30 fps

• Video/Audio Calling: FaceTime video or iPad to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi-Fi or cellular

• Speakers: Four speaker audio

• Microphones: Five studio-quality microphones

• Security: Face ID

• Cellular/wireless: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6; simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); HT80 with MIMO on all models

• Battery: Built-in 28.65-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery (11″) or built-in 36.71-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery (12.9″)

• Operating system: iPadOS 13

• SIM: Nano‑SIM

SEE: All of TechRepublic’s cheat sheets and smart person’s guides

Who is the target audience for the iPad Pro 2020?

With the Pro camera system, the improved microphones (which Apple says are comparable to those on the MacBook Pro), and the LiDAR sensor, along with iPadOS 13.4 adding support for a keyboard and trackpad, the target audience for the iPad Pro 2020 is professional users. Apple’s iPadOS 13.4 is expected to be released on March 24, 2020.

Additional resources

• Apple’s new MacBook Air and iPad Pro offer intriguing new features for business users (TechRepublic)
• Cheat sheet: AR Tools from Apple: RealityKit and Reality Composer (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
• A smarter iPad could be my work-from-home savior (CNET)
• The new iPad Pro gets my dream features and an expensive keyboard case (CNET)
• Why the iPad Pro replaced my MacBook Pro for travel (TechRepublic)

How does the iPad Pro 2020 compare to the previous iPad Pro?

The new iPad Pro looks very similar to the 2018 iPad Pro. The difference in weight, design, and form are almost negligible, with the only obvious change being the camera. The camera, which features the same 12MP wide-angle lens along with a new 10MP ultra-wide lens, looks more like the camera on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. With the iPad Pro 2020 release, the camera includes a LiDAR Scanner for better augmented reality (AR) capabilities.

Video can now be captured at 24 frames per second in 4K, and the 2020 iPad Pro supports 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, whereas the 2018 iPad Pro only allows up to wireless 802.11ac. Another difference is the change from the A12X Bionic processor to the new A12Z Bionic processor, which supports an eight-core GPU for speedier processing power.

Although the newest iPad operating system software, iPadOS 13.4, will not be released for existing devices until March 24, 2020, it comes preinstalled on the 2020 iPad Pro. With iPadOS 13.4, Apple’s Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard can now be connected via Bluetooth.

What features come with the iPad Pro 2020 camera?

The rear camera on the 2020 iPad Pro comes with Wide (12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture) and Ultra Wide (10MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture). It offers 2x optical zoom out and digital zoom up to 5x with a five‑element lens. It also uses a 7MP TrueDepth camera on the front to enable Face ID, Portrait Mode, Animoji, and Memoji.

SEE: Taking your photos to the next level: Tips for business professionals (TechRepublic Premium)

What are the storage capabilities of the iPad Pro 2020?

The iPad Pro 2020 can be configured with 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage.

What is the battery size of the iPad Pro 2020?

All models of the 2020 iPad Pro will get up to 10 hours of battery life while surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music.

What security platform comes with the iPad Pro 2020?

The iPad Pro 2020 features Face ID for authentication, which can be used to unlock the device, secure personal data within apps, and pay for products with Apple Pay. It can work with portrait or landscape mode, and even when other peripherals–like a keyboard–are attached.

SEE: Mobile device security policy (TechRepublic Premium)

What are the color options for the iPad Pro 2020?

Both the 11″ and 12.9″ 2020 iPad Pros are available in Silver and Space Gray.

When and where can I buy the iPad Pro 2020?

Beginning March 18, 2020, interested users can purchase the iPad Pro through the Apple online store, and deliveries will begin March 25. Apple retail stores, other than those in Greater China, are closed due to the coronavirus until further notice. The iPad Pro 2020 will likely also be available at many third-party retailers like Best Buy and more.

Additional resources

• Best tablets for 2020 (CNET)
• Apple’s first employee: The remarkable odyssey of Bill Fernandez (PDF download) (TechRepublic)
• Apple-related news and tips (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

How much does the iPad Pro 2020 cost?

The Wi-Fi-only 11-inch model will start at $799, while the 12.9-inch Wi-Fi model will start at $999. Cellular versions with 4G LTE are available starting at $949 for the 11-inch and $1,149 for the 12.9-inch.

Additional resources

• New iPad Pro: It’s an expensive package (ZDNet)
• The best 2020 iPad deals: The Mini hits all-time low price, $350 (CNET)
• Apple has new lower cost iPhone, iPads, MacBook Pro coming this year, predicts analyst (CNET)
• Get our latest coverage about mobile devices (TechRepublic on Flipboard)