While the iPad isn't a device I'm compelled to carry and have for work and communication like the iPhone or MacBook, every time I experience the iPad or need to do something with it, it always feels great. Looking at the market a bit, the iPad has never had a rival, so from its launch until now, the gap between the iPad and its competitors has only widened.
A superb content consumption device
I've been using the iPad Pro 12.9" since its 3rd generation launch in 2018, with its completely new design (which remains the same now). It truly is the best content consumption device we have. Computers have larger screens but are less comfortable to use, while phones are comfortable but have small screens...
In a day, I use the iPad less than my MacBook or iPhone, but when I do, I prefer it and it gives me a more comfortable feeling.
I've also tried other Android tablets from different brands and even Windows tablets, and the experience of the iPad Pro 12.9" surpasses all others. Android tablets lack serious app support. Samsung tablets have a screen ratio too narrow for comfortable use. Windows tablets essentially need a keyboard attached to function like a laptop rather than as a tablet.
One of the reasons I use the 12.9" iPad instead of smaller versions is because I want to have a digital magazine reading experience similar to reading a print version. That's also part of Apple's idea, and it's actually fantastic. I subscribe to Apple News+ and have hundreds of magazines to read on it. Normally, a print magazine costs over $10, so if you buy hundreds of them, it's too much money.
Can't replace Macbook as a content-creation machine
Apple has tried to equip the iPad with a lot of hardware power, apps, and accessories so that people can use it as a content-creation device to extend its longevity and do more things. However, I have found that to be unsuccessful.
Many people, including myself, have tried various methods and practiced... to see if they can use the iPad for content creation or not. It can, be better than any other tablet. However, fundamentally, it is still too difficult compared to the MacOS or Windows operating systems, so there's no reason to use it as a substitute for a computer. Of course, I still use it sometimes.
Another reason why the iPad in general or the iPad Pro 12.9" in particular cannot replace the MacBook is that Apple still sells the MacBook. If they turn iPadOS into something like macOS, people might not buy the MacBook anymore, or it might simply shift existing MacBook users to the iPad, which would be counterproductive.
The screen is exceptionally beautiful, unmatched even compared to laptops
As hardware advancements in iPads outpace software demands, the most crucial factor for providing a great tablet experience is the screen. And the display of the iPad Pro 12.9" is currently the best overall for content viewing.
The iPad I'm reviewing in this topic is the M2 model Apple released in 2022. It's equipped with a Mini-LED display that delivers exceptional image quality unmatched by any device of similar screen size. Only the MacBook Pro 14" and 16" are on par with the iPad Pro 12.9" in terms of display capabilities.
The colors are vibrant, refreshing, and visually pleasing, with a high brightness level of 600 nits under normal conditions and a peak brightness of 1600 nits when displaying HDR content.
The key to the matter is that Apple has equipped the iPad Pro 12.9" with a Mini-LED display. With a large number of Mini-LEDs and numerous dimming zones, the iPad 12.9" M2 achieves very high brightness and excellent contrast to display images. Meanwhile, other computers or tablets either use traditional LCDs or, if they offer better color with OLED technology, have much lower brightness levels compared to Apple's iPad Pro 12.9" M2 display.
In my estimation and research, the reason why other manufacturers or Apple's Air lineup haven't adopted Mini-LED displays is due to the expensive cost of acquiring these panels. Currently, it seems that only LG produces such displays, and their retail prices are quite high. However, since Apple sells the iPad Pro 12.9" at a high price compared to other laptops or tablets, they can afford to equip it with top-notch displays.
Smartphone displays currently feature high resolutions, beautiful colors, and high brightness levels with OLED technology. However, their sizes are not large enough. Samsung appears to be developing dual-layer OLED displays to achieve brightness levels comparable to Mini-LED displays, with significantly better color and black levels. However, the cost would likely be higher, and there hasn't been any product or prototype showcased or released yet. There are rumors that the next iPad will use OLED displays, and it's highly probable that it will be a new type of OLED with higher brightness levels than current laptop OLED displays.
Handling experience
What makes the iPad Pro 12.9", a very large tablet, still comfortable to hold and use is a combination of various factors, including a reasonable aspect ratio, lightweight design, and excellent operating system:
- The 4:3 aspect ratio allows comfortable handling in both landscape and portrait orientations, providing ample space for content on the screen.
- Lightweight: At only 682 grams, the iPad Pro 12.9" is comfortable to hold.
- The intuitive operating system, designed for touch input and responsive to gestures, makes tapping, swiping, and using the device feel natural, precise, and effortless.
When using a tablet, the orientation depends on the content being viewed. If browsing Facebook or reading news, it's held vertically. If viewing images, videos, or documents like spreadsheets, it's held horizontally. With the iPad, switching between vertical and horizontal orientations is effortless. Users don't need to worry about the device's orientation; the content adjusts accordingly.
With the iPad 12.9", holding it horizontally isn't too wide, allowing comfortable two-thumb typing. When held vertically, it can still be comfortably held and used like an enlarged phone. I've tried using tablets with large screens and a 16:9 aspect ratio. Holding them horizontally feels too wide, with limited screen space when the keyboard is open, and holding them vertically feels unstable, often tilting forward, making them uncomfortable to use.
iPadOS is truly fantastic.
I've often said that the best iOS experience is on the iPad, not the iPhone, and I still stand by that statement. The larger iPad screen enhances everything—reading, viewing images—it's just better. Plus, iPadOS comes packed with features that make it powerful, and capable of replacing some computer tasks. And of course, it's all about comparison and choice. Android and Windows tablets are far behind in terms of user experience compared to the iPad.
Multitasking is even better with Stage Manager, a feature Apple introduced in iPadOS and later macOS. It enhances multitasking, making work on the iPad or computer more efficient. Think of it like open shelves on a desk—now you can see and access things you couldn't before because they were tucked away. For me, Stage Manager provides a spacious, comfortable view without constraints.
Apple News, Safari, Photos, Facebook, and LightRoom are the apps I frequently use on my iPad. The experience is truly better than on a computer because I can sit, lie down, crawl, kneel... to use it comfortably. In contrast, a computer requires sitting or standing in a certain posture, at a specific place...
Apple News and Apple News+
Apple News is a real-time news updating app that includes published magazines. I've been following the news for decades, and Apple News automatically filters out low-quality channels, providing users with accurate and high-quality options and suggestions.
Apple News+ includes magazines that were previously only available in print or online formats as readable files. Magazines on the iPad Pro 12.9" are similar in size to a printed magazine that you often see at airport bookstores, with beautiful images, elegant layouts, and useful information. I subscribe monthly to Apple News+ and get access to hundreds of magazines. Previously, I used to buy magazines for over $10 each... now I have hundreds of them, continuously updated, and can be downloaded for offline viewing.
Apple News also presents content beautifully, making it easy to read... In general, the layout of other news-reading apps can't be compared to Apple's. They even provide audio news for those who prefer listening.
Apple Photos
Apple Photos has helped turn the iPad into the best mobile photo-viewing app today. You can't find a mobile device that displays photos better than the iPad Pro 12.9". One of the key factors is that the iPad Pro 12.9" screen has a high brightness of 1600 nits, so photos taken with iPhone HDR will be displayed best on this screen.
I import photos taken with my camera as well as with my phone into Apple Photos and enjoy viewing them on the iPad Pro 12.9". Photos taken with the iPhone appear in HDR, while those taken with the camera are clear and beautiful... The phone screen is too small for viewing, and the computer screen is not comfortable for viewing.
These are two examples I've provided where iPadOS and its apps are truly fantastic for a mobile device.
Powerful M2 Chip, Capable of Many Tasks
Since Apple introduced the iPad M1 and then M2, the iPad has become even more powerful than many MacBooks or other laptops. Apple also promotes it as being capable of doing more, supporting up to a 6K display... but the price has also gone up.
You can completely use the iPad for editing high-resolution photos or editing high-resolution videos with configurations like 4K 60fps or 8K 30fps... It edits and completes tasks quickly, no different from powerful desktop computers
You can also connect to high-resolution displays like 4K, 5K, or 6K to use the iPad as a computer with a keyboard and mouse connected seamlessly.
Of course, iPadOS is not optimized for keyboard and mouse input like a computer, so working with it may not be as comfortable in operation. In reality, I don't use the iPad for such tasks, although with some effort, it can still get the job done.
What Does Apple Need to Upgrade in the New iPad?
It's really difficult for Apple to do something to enhance the user experience further for the current iPad Pro 12.9. This indicates that it's a very good product. But it's also a challenge for Apple because this design has been around for 5 years, and this particular model has been out for over a year. The leaked information suggests that the new iPad will feature an OLED screen and thinner bezels. These two things aren't really crucial for users because the current iPad screen is already very good, and making the screen even better doesn't solve much. The bezels are already quite thin, so making them thinner won't solve much either.
What's Interesting About the OLED Screen for the 12.9-inch iPad?
OLED display panels for iPads have been around for a while, and high resolutions are also available. But the reason Apple chose Mini-LED over OLED currently is because OLED panels don't have high brightness. There are rumors that Apple and Samsung are collaborating to create OLED panels with higher brightness specifically for the iPad or possibly for future MacBooks. The technology Samsung is rumored to use is a dual-layer OLED panel compared to the single layer used currently. The dual layers not only help increase brightness but also enhance the lifespan of the panel.
The price is expected to be higher, but it's unclear whether Apple will raise the price of the iPad. Currently, the price of the Pro iPad lineup is already quite high. I bought the 12.9-inch M2 iPad 1TB for over 60 million VND. That's more expensive than a MacBook.
Conclusion
Even Apple and Users Don't Know What the New 12.9-inch iPad Pro Should Be Like? This demonstrates the perfection of the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro. It's the best content consumption device available today. The screen is large enough to view everything clearly, and it's beautiful enough to view everything in stunning detail. The device is powerful enough to handle simple, smooth tasks, and it's powerful enough that even those who like specifications or presentations can complete their tasks... and an OS powerful enough with apps that deliver an unmatched experience.