Apple iPad Pro 2018 3. Generation 12,9 Zoll 256GB
Overview And First Impressions
The Apple iPad Pro 2018 3rd generation is arguably the most important iPad Pro Apple ever released, because it established the design language every model since has followed. It swapped Lightning for USB-C, replaced the home button with Face ID, and adopted flat aluminum edges with dramatically slimmer bezels. Under the hood, the A12X Bionic delivered laptop-class performance that stunned reviewers at launch. Years later, that foundational package still holds up remarkably well, which helps explain the enduring enthusiasm this generation attracts on the used market.
Approaching it now means recognizing both its historical significance and its current standing as a value option. The A12X remains genuinely fast for most tasks, and the 12.9-inch ProMotion display is still gorgeous. This Apple iPad Pro 2018 3rd Gen 12.9-inch 256GB review weighs what made it a landmark against the realities of buying older hardware, since the very features it pioneered are now standard on newer, longer-supported models that a shopper might also consider.
Design And Standout Features
The 2018 redesign is the star of the story. Flat, squared-off aluminum sides, uniform thin bezels, and the removal of the home button gave the tablet a strikingly modern, all-screen look that Apple has essentially retained ever since. Face ID works in any orientation, a clever touch for a device used both in portrait and landscape. The switch to USB-C was equally significant, opening the iPad to external drives, displays, cameras, and standard chargers for the first time in the line.
The 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display carries ProMotion adaptive refresh up to 120Hz, keeping motion fluid and Apple Pencil input impressively responsive. This generation also introduced the second-generation Apple Pencil, which magnetically attaches to the edge for pairing and wireless charging, solving the awkward charging of the original. The A12X Bionic remains the standout internally, offering eight cores of performance that still comfortably handles illustration, photo editing, and multitasking that would tax many contemporaries of its era.
Who It Is For And Real Use
This tablet is ideal for buyers who want the modern iPad Pro experience at the lowest entry price. Students, artists, and note-takers gain the large 120Hz canvas, Apple Pencil 2 support, and Face ID convenience without paying current-generation money. For sketching, marking up PDFs, reading, streaming, and browsing, the A12X still feels fluid and capable. As a first tablet or a dedicated creative slate on a budget, this generation offers a lot of the premium feel for a fraction of the original cost.
It also works nicely as a secondary device beside a computer, handling media, email, and light editing with ease. Anyone consulting this Apple iPad Pro 2018 3rd Gen 12.9-inch 256GB review as a low-cost route into the Pro line will find the day-to-day experience still satisfying for mainstream use. The buyers to caution are those with heavy, future-facing professional workflows, since the aging chip and shrinking update window make it a less durable long-term investment than a newer model.
Trade-Offs To Consider
The most important trade-off is longevity. As Apple's oldest current-style Pro design, the 2018 model has the shortest remaining runway for iPadOS updates, so its supported lifespan is the briefest of the iPads worth considering. It also lacks features that arrived later, including the ultrawide camera and LiDAR scanner of the 2020 model and the far superior displays of newer generations. Buyers should treat it as a capable device for now rather than a many-year investment.
Performance, while still strong, is another factor. The A12X handles today's mainstream apps well, but the most demanding creative software and future updates will expose its age faster than an M-series chip. Because it is only available used, battery condition varies from unit to unit, so verifying battery health before purchase is essential. For the right buyer these compromises are entirely reasonable given the low price, but they should be understood clearly upfront.
Living With It Day To Day
In daily use, the 2018 Pro remains a pleasant, responsive tablet. The ProMotion display makes scrolling and handwriting feel immediate, Face ID unlocks quickly, and USB-C keeps charging and accessories convenient and universal. Battery life on a healthy unit still covers typical browsing and video comfortably, and the ecosystem integration with iPhone and Mac remains seamless. For most everyday routines, it is easy to forget you are using hardware that launched several years ago, which speaks to how well the design has held up.
Buying used calls for the usual care: confirm battery health, inspect the aluminum frame for bends, and check the screen for damage. A folio case and screen protector protect both the panel and resale value, and compatible accessories are now inexpensive on the second-hand market. The 256GB tier gives comfortable room for apps, notes, and media, and keeping iPadOS updated for as long as Apple supports the device maintains security and access to current apps.
How It Compares And Where It Fits
Compared with the 2020 Pro, the 2018 model lacks the ultrawide camera, LiDAR, and a slightly faster chip, though the core experience is very similar. Against newer M-series iPads, it concedes performance, display technology, and years of support. Its advantage is price: as the entry point to the modern Pro design, it is typically the cheapest way to obtain a 12.9-inch ProMotion screen, Face ID, USB-C, and Apple Pencil 2 compatibility in one device.
Where it fits is clear. This is the budget gateway to the Pro experience, best suited to students and casual creatives who value screen quality and Pencil support over cutting-edge power and longevity. This Apple iPad Pro 2018 3rd Gen 12.9-inch 256GB review holds it in genuine regard as a landmark design that still delivers, while advising anyone seeking a durable, future-proof investment to spend more on a newer M-series iPad instead.
Auf einen Blick
Vorteile
- Landmark flat-edge redesign with Face ID and slim bezels still looks modern
- First iPad Pro with USB-C, enabling external drives, displays, and standard chargers
- A12X Bionic remains fast enough for mainstream and light creative work
- Typically the lowest-cost entry into the modern 12.9-inch Pro experience
Nachteile
- Shortest remaining iPadOS update window among Pro models worth considering
- Lacks the ultrawide camera and LiDAR scanner added in later generations
- Available only used, so battery health varies and must be verified
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Why is the 2018 iPad Pro considered so important?
It introduced the flat-edge redesign, Face ID, slim bezels, USB-C, and second-generation Apple Pencil support. This template shaped every iPad Pro that followed, which is why the 2018 model is often called a landmark release.
Does the 2018 iPad Pro support the Apple Pencil 2?
Yes. It was the first iPad Pro to work with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which magnetically attaches to the edge for pairing and wireless charging. This solved the awkward charging method of the original Pencil.
Is it still a good buy today?
For budget-focused buyers who want the modern Pro experience, it can be. It remains capable for everyday and light creative use, but it has the shortest remaining update support, so it suits shorter-term ownership rather than a long investment.
Spezifikationen
| Chip | Apple A12X Bionic |
| Display | 12.9-inch Liquid Retina, ProMotion 120Hz |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Ports | USB-C (first iPad Pro with USB-C) |
| Authentication | Face ID |
| Stylus | Apple Pencil (2nd gen), magnetic charging |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Operating System | iPadOS |
Fazit
A landmark design that still performs well and offers the cheapest route into the modern iPad Pro; a smart budget pick if you accept its shorter support window.
Preis auf Amazon prüfen
