iPad Pro (3rd generation)

iPad Pro (3rd generation)
Name	iPad Pro (3rd generation)
Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Foxconn
Family	iPad
Released	2018
Discontinued	2020
Os	iOS / iPadOS
Soc	A12X Bionic
Cpu	8-core
Memory	4–6 GB
Storage	64–1 TB
Display	11-inch or 12.9-inch Liquid Retina
Connectivity	Wi‑Fi, LTE, Bluetooth, USB‑C

iPad Pro (3rd generation) is a tablet computer designed by Apple Inc. released in 2018 as part of the iPad product line. It represented a major revision that altered industrial design and internal architecture, introduced USB‑C connectivity, and targeted professional workflows used in Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, and media production. The model influenced rivals including Samsung Electronics and Microsoft Corporation in the tablet and convertible market.

History and development

Development began within Apple Inc. following the commercial success of earlier iPad Air and iPad Pro generations; key teams included industrial design led historically by Jony Ive and silicon engineering groups interacting with suppliers such as TSMC and assemblers like Foxconn. Announced at an Apple Special Event held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in October 2018, the product launch coincided with other Apple announcements and marketing strategies shaped by executives including Tim Cook and Phil Schiller. The 2018 release followed industry trends set by companies like Microsoft with the Surface Pro line and by Samsung Electronics with the Galaxy Tab S series, while competing with Chromebook efforts by Google. Supply chain considerations involved negotiations with Qualcomm and Intel for modem technologies and partnerships with LG Display and JDI for panels. Regulatory and patent landscapes influenced design choices; legal disputes involving Qualcomm and standards discussions at organizations such as the IEEE affected modem selection and certification. The generation's introduction of USB‑C also reflected broader adoption across companies like Dell, HP Inc., and Lenovo.

Design and hardware

Externally the device adopted a squared-off chassis reminiscent of the iPhone 4 era aesthetic revived by the iPhone 12 later; its unibody aluminum construction was machined by contractors including Pegatron and Wistron. It eliminated the traditional Home button, incorporating Face ID facial recognition developed in parallel with technologies used in iPhone X and later models. The machine shipped in multiple storage configurations with NAND sourced through suppliers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, and memory modules produced by Micron Technology. Thermal and power subsystems required collaboration with firms like Texas Instruments for power management. The device offered configurations tailored for enterprise customers who used services from IBM and SAP.

Display and audio

The 11‑inch and 12.9‑inch Liquid Retina displays used technologies from suppliers including LG Display, Samsung Display, and panel fabs associated with Japan Display Inc.. The 12.9‑inch variant continued the high pixel density lineage established by earlier Pro models and competed with professional displays from Wacom and BenQ. ProMotion 120 Hz adaptive refresh control paralleled research appearing at venues such as the SIGGRAPH conference. Audio was provided by a four‑speaker system tuned for spatial balance, drawing comparisons to portable audio products from Bose Corporation and Harman International. Color management supported wide color gamuts used in workflows with Adobe Systems applications and color grading tools from companies like Blackmagic Design.

Performance and battery

At its core the tablet used the A12X Bionic system on chip fabricated by TSMC and architected by Apple Inc. to deliver multi‑core performance competitive with ultraportable laptops from Intel Corporation and AMD Ryzen mobile offerings by Advanced Micro Devices. GPU capabilities targeted graphics workloads similar to those run on mobile GPUs from NVIDIA and integrated graphics by Intel. Memory and storage options supported pro apps from Autodesk and Unity Technologies. Battery life and charging were optimized for mobile workflows and video editing, with energy management referencing techniques discussed at ACM conferences. Real‑world battery endurance was compared in reviews alongside devices from Microsoft Surface and Samsung Galaxy Tab S4.

Cameras and sensors

The rear 12‑megapixel camera and front TrueDepth system enabled Face ID and portrait effects, leveraging components from suppliers like Sony Corporation for image sensors. Sensors included accelerometer and gyroscope modules similar to those in handheld devices by Sony and Panasonic, used in augmented reality applications developed with ARKit and third‑party frameworks such as Unity Technologies and Epic Games's Unreal Engine. The TrueDepth array incorporated structured light techniques with patents and research historically associated with universities like MIT and Stanford University in computer vision.

Connectivity and accessories

Switching to USB‑C expanded compatibility with peripherals from vendors including SanDisk, Seagate Technology, and audio equipment makers such as Shure and Sennheiser. Cellular models used modem modules from Qualcomm and radio certification involved operators like Verizon Communications, AT&T, and Vodafone Group. The device supported the second‑generation Apple Pencil magnetic charging and pairing system, contested in accessory markets alongside stylus products by Wacom and Adonit. Keyboard accessories connected through a Smart Connector and were marketed through Apple and third‑party manufacturers such as Logitech and Belkin.

Reception and impact

Critical reception from media outlets including The Verge, Wired, The New York Times, and Bloomberg News highlighted its role in blurring lines between tablets and laptops, prompting commentary from analysts at firms like Gartner and IDC. Creative professionals debating adoption compared workflows with laptops from Dell, HP Inc., and portable workstations using GPUs by NVIDIA. The product influenced accessory ecosystems and education procurement policies in districts using platforms from Google and Microsoft Education. Legal, environmental, and labor discussions engaged groups like Greenpeace and unions representing workers at suppliers such as Foxconn. The generation informed later design choices in Apple's roadmap overseen by executives including Tim Cook and design influences attributed to Jony Ive's tenure.

Category:Apple hardware