iPad 6 (2018, A10 series) vs iPad Pro (2020, A12 series)

The iPad 2018 (6th generation), released in March 2018, and the iPad Pro 2020 (4th generation), launched in March 2020, represent different tiers within Apple's tablet lineup. While both devices operate on iPadOS, the iPad Pro 2020 introduces significant advancements in performance, display technology, and camera capabilities, catering to more demanding users. The iPad 2018, on the other hand, offers a more foundational tablet experience.

When considering the longevity of these two tablets, their respective release dates and hardware play a significant role in expected software support and overall practical lifespan.

• Software Updates: The iPad Pro 2020, being a newer device, benefits from a longer period of major iPadOS updates compared to the iPad 2018. The iPad 2018 supports up to iPadOS 17.7.10, with no support for iPadOS 18, indicating its software lifecycle is nearing its end. The iPad Pro 2020, however, shipped with iPadOS 13.4 and currently supports iPadOS 26.4.1, suggesting several more years of updates.
• Hardware Durability: Both models feature robust aluminum enclosures. The iPad Pro 2020's design, while similar to its predecessor, includes more advanced internal components that may offer greater resilience to future software demands.
• Practical Lifespan: For general tasks like web browsing, media consumption, and light productivity, the iPad 2018 remains functional. However, for users requiring performance for demanding applications or those who prioritize the latest software features, the iPad Pro 2020 offers a considerably longer practical lifespan due to its more powerful internal components and extended software support.

The performance capabilities of these two iPads differ substantially, primarily due to the generational gap in their internal processing hardware, impacting how they handle various tasks.

• Processing Power: The iPad 2018 is equipped with a processor that handles everyday tasks, web browsing, and casual gaming smoothly. The iPad Pro 2020, featuring a more advanced processor, delivers a significantly more responsive experience, excelling in demanding applications, professional creative workflows, and advanced gaming.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPad Pro 2020 includes more memory, which contributes to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times, making it better suited for users who frequently switch between multiple applications or work with large files. The iPad 2018, with less memory, is more suited for single-app focus or lighter multitasking.
• Storage Options: The iPad 2018 offers storage options of 32 GB or 128 GB. The iPad Pro 2020 starts with 128 GB and extends to higher capacities, providing more room for applications, media, and large projects.

The display is a key area of distinction between these two iPad models, with the iPad Pro 2020 offering a more advanced visual experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPad 2018 features a 9.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, providing clear visuals for general use. The iPad Pro 2020 comes with a Liquid Retina IPS LCD display, available in 11-inch or 12.9-inch sizes, with higher resolutions (2388 x 1668 pixels for 11-inch, 2732 x 2048 pixels for 12.9-inch) and enhanced color accuracy (P3 wide color).
• Smoothness and Brightness: A significant upgrade in the iPad Pro 2020 is its ProMotion technology, offering an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and more fluid interactions, a feature absent in the standard 60Hz display of the iPad 2018. The iPad Pro 2020 also boasts higher peak brightness, improving visibility in various lighting conditions.
• Display Features: The iPad Pro 2020's display is fully laminated and features an antireflective coating, reducing glare and enhancing the viewing experience, particularly for creative tasks. The iPad 2018's display is not laminated.

The camera systems on these two iPads cater to different user needs, with the iPad Pro 2020 offering a more versatile and advanced setup.

• Rear Camera System: The iPad 2018 includes a single 8-megapixel rear camera capable of 1080p video recording, suitable for basic photography and document scanning. The iPad Pro 2020 features a dual-camera system with a 12-megapixel wide lens and a 10-megapixel ultrawide lens, alongside a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality experiences and improved depth sensing. It also supports 4K video recording.
• Front Camera and Video Calls: For video conferencing and selfies, the iPad 2018 has a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera. The iPad Pro 2020 significantly upgrades this with a 7-megapixel TrueDepth front camera, enabling Face ID for secure authentication and offering better quality for video calls.
• Audio Experience: The iPad Pro 2020 is equipped with a four-speaker audio system and studio-quality microphones, providing a more immersive audio experience for media consumption and clearer sound capture for recordings and calls. The iPad 2018 features stereo speakers.