Key Difference – 9.7 inch vs 12.9 inch iPad Pro
The key difference between 9.7 inch and 12.9 inch iPad Pro is that the 12.9 inch iPad Pro comes with a larger screen and a higher memory while the 9.7 inch iPad Pro comes with a feature filled camera, larger built-in storage, and more portability.
Both are very powerful devices in the market while the smaller sibling comes with a better camera. Both the displays seem the same from a spec point of view, but the smaller sibling comes with some special features to enhance the quality of it. This is true for the camera as well. Let us take a closer look at both the phone specs and see what they have to offer.
9.7 inch iPad Pro Review – Features and Specifications
The iPad pro was one of the most powerful tablets to be produced last year. But some users will definitely have an issue with the size of the device. This year, Apple has packed in what was found in the iPad Pro into a smaller package. The device is very similar to the iPad Air 2 in many ways.
Design
Many features which are found in the original iPad Pro are also found in this device. It comes with the powerful Apple A9 processor. The size of the device is 9.7 inches, which is almost like a clipboard. Almost all the components found on the iPad Pro are found in this device, which has almost the same dimensions and weight of the iPad Air 2. As the dimension of the device is identical to the iPad Air 2, the iPad Air line of devices may come to a halt.
Display
The screen is also very similar to the iPad Pro, which has a nice saturation to it. The screen comes with a feature known as the auto color temperature adjusting true tone which adjusts the screen automatically.
Processor
The processor that comes with the device is the A9X, which is one of the most powerful processors around. Due to the smaller size of the screen, the performance of the SoC can be expected to increase even further as it does not need to handle additional pixels as with the original iPad Pro. The difference between the original iPad Pro and the smaller iPad Pro 9.7, from a performance point of view, may not be felt; still they perform in a fast manner.
Storage
The built-in storage on the device is 256 GB, which is ample space. Some users may be disappointed due to the lack of a micro SD card slot for expandable storage.
Camera
The rear camera of the device comes with a resolution of 12 MP, which is assisted by a dual LED flash. The focal length of the camera is 29 mm while the aperture of the lens stands at f 2.2. The sensor size present on the camera is 1/3” while the pixel size stands at 1.22 microns. The front facing camera comes with a resolution of 5 MP, which is also supported by HDR.
Memory
The memory that is available with the device is 2GB, which is ample space to run apps in a smooth and lag free manner.
Operating System
The operating system that powers the device is the iOS 9, which will provide new features and enable the user to get a great user experience.
Additional/ Special Features
The device comes with four speakers, and a smart connector to connect the keyboard. The device also comes with an Apple pencil for enhanced productivity and creativity. The smart keyboard that comes with the device has small keys which may cause some concern when typing messages and notes. Although iPad Pro is claimed to be a replacement for a PC, features like this give pause to this claim.
12.9 inch iPad Pro Review – Features and Specifications
Design
The device has dimensions of 304.8 x 220.5 x 6.9 mm while the weight of the device stands at 723g. The body is made up aluminum, and the fingerprint scanner is powered via touch to secure the device further. This device comes in Gray and Gold.
Display
The screen size of the device stands at 12.9 inches while the resolution of the screen stands at 2048 × 2732 pixels. The pixel density of the screen stands at 265 ppi, and the technology that powers the display is IPS LCD. The screen to body ratio of the device stands at 76.56 %.
Processor
The device is powered by the impressive Apple A9X SoC. The SoC that comes with a dual core processor is able to clock a speed of 2.26 GHz. The graphics processor that is available with the device is PowerVR Series 7XT GPU.
Storage
The built-in storage which comes with the device is 128 GB.
Camera
The front facing camera comes with a resolution of 8MP. The aperture of the camera stands at f 2.4. The front facing camera comes with a resolution of 1.2 MP, which also supports HDR. The camcorder is able to capture 1080p HD videos.
Memory
The memory that comes with the device is 4GB, which will support the apps to run without any lag.
Operating System
The operating system that comes with the device is the iOS 9.
Battery Life
The battery capacity of the device is 10307 mAh which will enable the device to last throughout the day. The battery is not user replaceable.
What is the difference between 9.7 inch and 12.9 inch iPad Pro?
Design
12.9 inch iPad Pro: The iPad Pro comes with the dimensions of 304.8 x 220.5 x 6.9 mm and the weight of the device is 723g. The body is made up of aluminum and the device is secured with the help of a fingerprint scanner which is operated with the help of touch. The colors that the device is available with are Gray and Gold.
9.7 inch iPad Pro: iPad Pro 9.7 inch version comes with the dimensions of 238.8 x 167.6 x 6.1 mm and the weight of the device is 444g. The body is made up of aluminum and the device is secured with the help of a fingerprint scanner which is operated with the help of touch. The colors that the device is available with are Gray, Pink, and Gold.
The iPad Pro 12.9 inch version comes with the same aluminum design as with the iPad Air 2. The touch ID has been built into the button, and the lightning connector is now placed at the bottom of the device. Both the iPad Pro’s come with four built-in speakers to enhance the audio experience for the user.
Display
12.9 inch iPad Pro: The iPad Pro comes with a screen size of 12.9 inches, and the resolution of the same is 2048 × 2732 pixels. The pixel density of the device is 265 ppi. The display technology which powers the device is the IPS LCD. The screen to body ratio is 76.56%.
9.7 inch iPad Pro: iPad Pro 9.7 inch comes with a screen size of 9.7 inches and the resolution of the same is 1536 x 2048 pixels. The pixel density of the device is 264 ppi. The display technology which powers the device is the IPS LCD. The screen to body ratio is 72.80%.
The smaller iPad Pro is expected to come with true tone display, wide color display on the screen which means the screen will provide for a better user experience. Both the devices displays are able to work well with Apple Pencil. The advantage of the smaller device is that it is portable at the same time.
Camera
12.9 inch iPad Pro: The iPad Pro comes with a 8 MP iSight camera which comes with an aperture of f2.4. The front facing camera, on the other hand, comes with a 1.2 MP, which comes with an aperture of f 2.2. The rear camera is capable of capturing 1080p videos whereas the front facing camera is capable of capturing 720p.
9.7 inch iPad Pro: 9.7 inch iPad Pro comes with a true tone flash which is the first time this feature is present in this device. This will enhance the resolution of the device. The rear camera of the device comes with a 12 MP camera which has an aperture of f2.2. The camera is also able to capture 4K videos. The front facing camera comes with a resolution of 5 MP assisted by a Retina flash.
The camera on the new device is far better than its larger sibling due to the features it offers.
Performance
12.9 inch iPad Pro: The iPad Pro is powered by an A9X processor and an M9 co-processor. The device also comes with 4GB of memory for multitasking. The processor is capable of clocking speeds of up to 2.26 GHz, which consists of dual cores. The graphics are powered by the PowerVR Series 7XT GPU. The built-in storage on the device is 128 GB.
9.7 inch iPad Pro: 9.7 inch iPad Pro is powered by an A9X processor and an M9 co-processor. The device also comes with 2GB of memory for multitasking. The processor is capable of clocking speeds of up to 2.26 GHz, which consists of dual cores. The graphics are powered by the PowerVR Series 7XT GPU. The built-in storage on the device is 256 GB.
The built-in storage that comes with the new device is high while it is the same with the memory as well. This will ensure that the device will perform well although it is a smaller one of the two.
Software
12.9 inch iPad Pro: The iPad Pro is supported by the iOS 9 OS, which includes features like Apple Pay, Spotlight search, Apple Music, and AirPlay. This OS also comes with productivity apps which will be useful to the user.
9.7 inch iPad Pro: iPad Pro 9.7 will offer the same software experience which is found with its larger sibling.
9.7 inch vs. 12.9 inch iPad Pro – Summary
9.7 inch iPad Pro | 12.9 inch iPad Pro | Preferred | |
Operating System | iOS 9 | iOS 9 | – |
Dimensions | 238.8 x 167.6 x 6.1 mm | 304.8 x 220.5 x 6.9 mm | iPad Pro 9.7 |
Weight | 444 g | 723 g | iPad Pro 9.7 |
Body | Aluminum | Aluminum | – |
Finger Print scanner | Touch | Touch | – |
Colors | Gray, Pink and Gold | Gray and Gold | iPad Pro 9.7 |
Display Size | 9.7 inches | 12.9 inches | iPad Pro 12.9 |
Resolution | 1536 x 2048 pixels | 2048 x 2732 pixels | iPad Pro 12.9 |
Pixel Density | 264 ppi | 265 ppi | iPad Pro 12.9 |
Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | – |
Rear Camera Resolution | 12 megapixels | 8 megapixels | iPad Pro 9.7 |
Front Camera Resolution | 5 megapixels | 1.2 megapixels | iPad Pro 9.7 |
4K | Yes | No | iPad Pro 9.7 |
Aperture | F2.2 | F2.4 | iPad Pro 9.7 |
SoC | Apple A9X | Apple A9X | – |
Processor | Dual-core, 2260 MHz, | Dual-core, 2260 MHz, | – |
Graphics Processor | PowerVR Series 7XT | PowerVR Series 7XT | – |
Memory | 2GB | 4GB | iPad Pro 12.9 |
Built in storage | 256GB | 128 GB | iPad Pro 9.7 |
Expandable Storage Availability | No | No | – |
Betts says
This is a great. It brings the pro and cons into understanding easy to follow comparison. Thanks