.svg) | |
 An 11-inch iPad Pro | |
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Product family | iPad Pro |
| Type | Tablet computer |
| Release date | November 7, 2018 (2018-11-07) |
| Discontinued | March 18, 2020 (2020-03-18) |
| Operating system | Original:iOS 12.1 Current:iPadOS 26.0.1, released September 29, 2025[1] |
| System on a chip | A12X Bionic |
| Memory | 4 GB or6 GBLPDDR4X |
| Storage | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB[2] |
| Display | 11 inch: (28 cm) (2,388 x 1,668)px (264 ppi), 600-nits Max Brightness, Wide-Color Display (P3), True Tone Display, 1.8% reflectivity, and Fully Laminated Display 12.9 inch: (33 cm) (2,732 x 2,048)px (264 ppi), 600-nits Max Brightness, Wide-Color Display (P3), True Tone Display, 1.8% reflectivity, and Fully Laminated Display |
| Sound | Four speakers, adjusting sound to device orientation |
| Predecessor | iPad Pro (2nd generation) |
| Successor | iPad Pro (4th generation) |
| Related | Apple Pencil |
| Website | https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/ (archived) |
| This article is part ofa series on the |
| iPad |
|---|
| List of iPad models |
The third generation ofiPad Pro[a] is a line oftablet computers developed and marketed byApple Inc. Two models, with a 12.9 inch or 11 inch screen, were both announced on October 30, 2018, and were available to purchase on November 7. This generation of iPad Pro was the firstiPad compatible with the new (second generation)Apple Pencil stylus. Like thesecond generation, a larger size and stylus compatibility were a point of difference from the rest of Apple's available iPads, but the third generation iPad Pro was also the first iPad to use facial recognition (Face ID) to unlock the device.
Upgrades from the second generation iPad Pro include the more powerfulA12X Bionic processor, storage capacity up to 1 terabyte[3] and the larger display of the 11 inch model (upgraded from a 10.5 inch model). The third generation iPad Pro also premiered a new design, with a screen that covers more of the front face, and has rounded corners. The 11 inch model is the first generation of that size, and describes itself as such.
The redesigned iPad Pro was announced on October 30, 2018,[4][5] during anApple Special Event at theHoward Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. The 2018 models feature new edge-to-edge Liquid Retina displays,Face ID, improved 12-megapixel and 7-megapixel cameras,USB-C connector, andApple A12X Bionic processors. The tablets are offered in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, and are the first iPad models to offer tap-to-wake LCD displays (following theiPhone X[6]), and up to 1TB of internal storage. The 1 TB models featured moreRAM than the smaller storage sizes with an increase to 6 GB, up from 4 GB.[7][8] These devices are the first iPads to feature aUSB Type-C connector, replacing Apple's proprietaryLightning connector, and both devices gainedeSIM for the first time (which replaced the proprietary embeddedApple SIM in the previous generation).[9] The third-generation iPad Pro lacked a home button and a headphone jack, a first for the iPad lineup. Additionally, the tablets lackTouch ID, which has been superseded byFace ID using asensor array on the top bezel.[10][11] Unlike iPhone models featuring Face ID untiliOS 16, the third-generation iPad Pro can unlock in any orientation. The tablets were released on November 7, 2018, only available in Silver and Space Gray as the Gold and Rose Gold finishes from the previous generation have been removed. The 3rd-generation iPad Pro was the thinnest iPad at 5.9 mm thick,[12] until being surpassed by the 13 inch iPad Pro 7th generation.[13]
The 2018 iPad Pro models were praised for their improved displays, slimmer bezels, the addition of Face ID and general speed improvements. Ben Sin fromForbes noted that although the screen is still an LCD screen, the 120 Hz refresh rate makes it feel more responsive.[14] The switch to aUSB-C connector received a mixed response; easier external monitor support and more universal device charging were added at the cost of extra dongles to use older cables and headphones.[15] Some reviewers noted that although the hardware updates are great steps forward,iOS's limitations, including the lack of external storage capabilities, which was addressed with theiPadOS 13 update,[16] prevents the iPad Pro from competing against traditional computers. The increased prices across the lineup were also criticized.[17][18]
iPadOS addresses the lack of external storage on supported iPads by adding support for external storage.
The chassis has been criticized for bending and breaking easily. Users on forum boards have reported the iPad bending after a few days of use, such as after carrying it around in a backpack. YouTuber Zack Nelson then published a video on his channelJerryRigEverything showing the device cracking and snapping in half after applying just a small amount of pressure with his hands in the center of the device.[19][20] Nelson concluded that the "two weakest points [were] right dead center on either side of the iPad Pro, [and] the crack happened at the very poorly placed microphone hole and the new Apple Pencil 2 charging duct".[21] Users reported devices already bent right out of the box, mostly cellular models. Apple responded to these reports quickly, asserting that this is normal and a non-issue,[22] a response which has been criticized by many.[23][24] According to Apple, the bending is a byproduct of its new manufacturing process and within their tolerances. Apple has added a support page relating to these issues.[25]
The third generation iPad Pro was supplied withiOS 12.1, It receivediPadOS 13 on September 24, 2019,iPadOS 14 on September 16, 2020,iPadOS 15 on September 20, 2021,iPadOS 16 on October 24, 2022, iPadOS 17 on September 18, 2023. andiPadOS 18 on September 16, 2024. It is also compatible withiPadOS 26.[26]
| Timeline of iPad models |
|---|
 See also:List of Apple products |
Source:Apple Newsroom Archive.[27]
Using Xcode, developer Steve Troughton-Smith has discovered that the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with 1TB of storage have 6GB of RAM, compared to 4GB for previous generation iPad Pros.
The 1TB iPad Pro is the only iPad with 6GB of RAM; other 2018 iPad Pros have 4GB.
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