The iPad Pro 6th Generation was launched with the M2 chip more than a year ago, and since then, third-party sellers have dropped the price. But is it a good time to buy one now? Let’s break it down.
Design: Familiar but Effective
The design of the iPad Pro 6th Generation hasn’t changed much from its predecessors. In fact, it looks nearly identical to the 2021, 2020, and even 2018 models. While it would be nice to see something new, the current design still works well. One small visual difference is the new “iPad Pro” text on the back, instead of just “iPad” from the older models.
Display: Mini LED for the Big Size, but the Same Old LCD for the Small
The iPad Pro 6th Generation 11-inch model still uses the same LCD display that Apple has been using for years. While it’s not a bad screen, it’s harder to justify its price when you can get similar performance from older models.
However, if you opt for the larger 12.9-inch model, you get a gorgeous mini-LED display. This display shines when watching HDR content, offering higher brightness and better image quality. But again, this is the same display as the previous iPad Pro models, making it hard to justify the higher price.
Performance: Power That’s Hard to Fully Use
Powered by the M2 chip and 8GB of RAM, the iPad Pro 6th Generation handles everything with ease. For casual tasks like browsing, reading, or social media, it’s overkill. The real challenge with this iPad is that its software, iPadOS, doesn’t let you take full advantage of its power.
iPadOS vs. macOS: The Struggle Continues
The iPad Pro 6th Generation has incredible hardware, but the limitations of iPadOS prevent it from being a true laptop replacement. While iPadOS works well for creative tasks and content consumption, it falls short for productivity. Features like multitasking feel clunky compared to macOS, and you still can’t run macOS on the iPad.
Battery Life: Still Solid
The battery life on the iPad Pro 6th Generation is impressive, giving you 7-8 hours of screen time. However, if you’re buying a used model, checking the battery’s health requires third-party tools since Apple doesn’t include a built-in way to check it.
Accessories: Same Magic Keyboard and Pencil
The iPad Pro 6th Generation uses the same accessories as previous models, including the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. Both are excellent, with the keyboard offering a solid typing experience, and the Pencil working great for creative tasks. The M2 version also introduced a new hover feature for the Pencil, though this could have been added to older models as well.
Cameras: Not for Everyone
The iPad Pro 6th Generation has decent cameras, with a 12MP main camera and a 10MP ultra-wide lens. However, most people don’t use an iPad for professional photography or video recording, making the camera improvements feel unnecessary for many users.
Face ID and Audio: Solid, but Minor Issues
Face ID works smoothly on the iPad Pro 6th Generation, but the camera’s placement can be awkward, leading to accidental blocks. Audio, on the other hand, is impressive, with quad speakers that deliver excellent sound quality, especially for a tablet.
Thunderbolt Port: Great, but the Software Struggles
The iPad Pro 6th Generation includes a Thunderbolt port for faster data transfers, but the experience is hindered by the outdated file system in iPadOS, again showing the gap between the hardware and software.
Connectivity: Latest Technology
This iPad supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and 5G for cellular models. However, for many users, the Wi-Fi-only version is more than enough, and you can always use your phone as a hotspot when needed.
Is It Worth iPad Pro 6th Generation in 2024?
The iPad Pro 6th Generation is still an excellent tablet in 2024, especially now that the price has dropped. However, its similarities to older models make it hard to justify spending a lot, especially with iPadOS still limiting the full potential of the device.
For most users, even an older iPad Pro or a regular iPad might provide a similar experience at a much lower price. That said, if you’re a student or a creative professional, the iPad Pro 6th Generation could still be worth the investment.
