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The 2020 generation of Apple iPad Pro stands as the finest native tablet you can buy right now. Undoubtedly pricey, but the display, performance, and accessories are fantastic. But which size will you get? You can choose between the iPad Pro 11 inch and 12.9 inch. Yes, that's what we'll discuss in this comparison.
What similarities exist between iPad Pro 11 inch and iPad Pro 12.9 inch?
First and foremost, let's identify something crucial: iPad Pro 11 inch and 12.9 inch are essentially the same tablet. Both feature the Apple A12Z chip, both come with 6GB RAM, and you can choose from 128GB to 1TB storage capacity for each memory option. I've run identical benchmarks on both tablets, and the performance is the same. And that holds true for real-world performance as well. Whether you're playing Fortnite or displaying 4K videos in apps like Adobe Premiere Rush, the performance remains quite similar.
We get identical quad speakers on both and the same camera setup including the LiDAR sensor. The version of iPadOS is identical, of course, both support and can charge the Apple Pencil 2nd generation. Both feature USB C ports and you can connect a myriad of accessories to both. I think you get the idea. Apart from screen size, they're the same tablet.
Differences Between iPad Pro 11 inch and iPad Pro 12.9 inch
Now, let's talk about their screens. While the 12.9-inch doesn't seem much larger than the 11-inch on paper, you can notice a significant difference in person. The 2020 iPad Pro 12.9-inch is much larger and offers more screen real estate. Although both have a pixel density of 264ppi, meaning they're equally sharp, it also means the 12.9-inch display has a higher overall resolution. Its Retina display boasts 2732 x 2048 pixels compared to 2388 x 1668 pixels on the 11-inch.
All other aspects of the screen like Apple's ProMotion and True Tone technologies are the same. And that applies to their 600-nit brightness as well.
Now, with a larger screen, we also get a larger body and a bigger battery, meaning it will be heavier physically. The 12.9-inch one is significantly heavier at 641g compared to the 471g of the 11-inch.
Speaking of the larger battery: I've conducted two battery tests on each tablet, and each time the 12.9-inch iPad Pro lasted slightly shorter. I suppose the larger screen just demands more power than the larger battery can provide.
When streaming HD YouTube videos at maximum brightness on the iPad Pro 11 inch, the battery lasted 6 hours. The 12.9-inch one ran for 5 hours in the same test. Now, when looping a locally stored HD video at medium brightness, the 11-inch lasted 14 hours and the 12.9-inch 13 hours. Those differences are minor and in real life, I haven't noticed any discernible difference.
Due to their varying sizes, the Smart Keyboard Folio for iPad Pro also comes in different sizes. While they function the same, the keyboard for the 12.9-inch is larger. It's a matter of full size versus slightly smaller for the 11-inch. I've been typing on the 11-inch keyboard for over a year and have gotten quite used to it. But you certainly have to get accustomed to the tighter space, it's not a bigger issue though.
Which screen size suits you?
So, now that we've discussed some differences, which 2020 iPad Pro should you buy? Well, it simply comes down to the screen size you prefer. And because everyone has different needs, people have to decide for themselves.
In general, I think the iPad Pro 12.9 inch is a better choice if you primarily use it at home. It's fantastic to have more screen real estate. For example, not only for watching movies, but also for editing photos in Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. When drawing with the Apple Pencil 2, having more room is more convenient.
And in case you want to replace your laptop with the iPad Pro and it will be your only computer, then of course, it's fantastic to have a larger screen. If you connect it to a keyboard and mouse, it can almost function like a regular computer now. Certainly not for everyone, but if you mainly use the tablet for entertainment, maybe editing some photos, or video chatting with family and your standard computing tasks are straightforward, then it could be really great.
On the other hand, I think the iPad Pro 11 inch is a better choice if you'll be taking it around a lot. It's powerful with similar features but in a smaller and lighter package. Sure, you can use it to watch Netflix at home, and you can also connect it to a keyboard and mouse. But it's also small enough to comfortably use on trains or airplanes - even in tight economy seating.
That's how I used the iPad Pro 11 inch before, and that's why I also opted for an 11 inch for myself. I can do a lot with the iPad, but I haven't been able to fully replace my laptop with it. So, for me, it's meaningless to have a nearly laptop-sized 12.9 inch.
Instead, I think the iPad Pro 11 inch is the perfect secondary device. A fantastic tablet to carry around. I travel a lot, and I also enjoy working outdoors in coffee shops. Of course, not all the time, they're usually closed now. And for that, the 11 inch is perfect.
