iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Pro (2018): Should you finally upgrade?

It’s typical for us to compare fairly recent devices on this website because upgrade cycles for most devices are relatively short. That’s not so where tablets are concerned. If you’re anything like most of us, you wait years between tablet upgrades, and that’s because tablets don’t need updating very often. So, it’s entirely possible you’re still using a tablet from the late or even mid-2010s and are starting to wonder if it’s worth upgrading.

Enter the 2024 iPad Pro. The new iPad Pro models are 11 inches and 13 inches and are Apple’s thinnest products ever. They’re also stupendously powerful and capable and can be combined with some of Apple’s best accessories — like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. It makes older iPads look positively prehistoric, and that’s especially true of the 2018 iPad Pro.

The 2018 iPad Pro, the third generation of Pro, comes from a very different time. While superficially similar to modern iPad Pro models, the differences couldn’t be more stark, with the newest iPad Pros being monumentally more powerful and capable. But does that make them a must-upgrade for you? Should you finally upgrade your 2018 iPad Pro for the new 2024 iPad Pro? We took a look so you know whether it’s time to upgrade or not.

iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Pro (2018): specs

iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Pro (2018): design and display

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The iPad Pro design hasn’t really changed in some time, and that’s a sign that Apple hit gold some time ago and has recognized there’s no need to make dramatic changes. As such, these two tablets are quite similar-looking, with aluminum backs and frames, glass fronts, and slim bezels around the displays. But there are subtle differences. The camera modules are the most obvious of these, but the newer iPad Pros are also thinner and lighter, so they’re easier to cart around.

The difference in display tech is huge, though. The new iPad Pros both have OLED panels and while the resolutions are similar, the deep, inky blacks and vibrant colors of the OLED displays will be very obvious when the two are side by side. In addition, the newer models get much brighter, with a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits in XDR mode, compared to the relatively paltry 600 nits of the iPad Pro 2018. That makes a big difference if you’re trying to use your tablet in strong sunlight.

One important note before we wrap this category up: The position of the selfie camera has been changed in more recent iPads, and that could be a huge change if you’re used to older iPads. Older iPads put the selfie camera at the top of the display in a portrait position — basically where you’d expect to see the front-facing camera on a smartphone. Apple wants newer iPads to be used more like laptops, so it’s moved the selfie camera to be at the top of the display in a landscape orientation. This is where you’d see a webcam on a laptop, and this position makes a lot more sense if you’re using your iPad as a work machine, rather than an oversized smartphone.

While a lot hasn’t changed between these two generations, the differences speak loudly. The newer iPads have much better displays and a much better position for the front-facing camera.

iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Pro (2018): performance and software

It shouldn’t come as a shock that the newer iPads are more powerful. After all, that’s a key element of any new device. But how much more powerful they are is worth exploring.

The iPad Pro 2018 is a strong performer. The A12X Bionic is a mobile processor with a lot of headroom, and there’s a decent argument to be made that it can still tango with the top dogs today. It’ll still chew easily through games, Lightroom, and Photoshop, and although you may have found it starts to slow slightly as it ages, there’s no doubt that it’s still a very capable mobile chip.

We keep saying “mobile” for a reason, and it’s because the iPad Pro has been through a significant change in recent years. The 2024 iPad Pro is equipped with Apple’s M4 processor, a laptop-level chip that’s incredibly powerful. The new iPad Pro is positioned as a tablet for productivity in creative spheres, including filmmaking and editing. That means it needs a large amount of power, and the M4 delivers.

The software is less of a slam dunk since both run the latest version of iPadOS 17. While software updates are one of Apple’s strengths, there’s little doubt the iPad Pro 2018 will reach its end far sooner than the newer iPad Pro. So, if having the latest software and updates is important to you, keep that in mind.

We’re not going to win any prizes for figuring out the newer device is more powerful, but it’s important to note how large the gap is. If you need power to edit, create, or game, then you’re going to notice how much faster the new iPad Pro is.

iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Pro (2018): cameras and battery

Apple says both of these tablets will last for around 10 hours, and while the 2018 iPad Pro once hit those claims, it’s unlikely the battery has survived six years of use unscathed. We won’t know how it stacks up against the 2024 model until we’ve taken the newer models for a spin, but if it’s anything like the iPad Pro 2022, then it may struggle to live up to Apple’s claims.

Camera quality is less of a key point in a tablet than on a smartphone, but you definitely want to pay attention to the front-facing camera system. The newer iPad Pro sports an ultrawide 12-megapixel selfie lens with superior positioning for video calls (see the design section above), which is much better than the standard 7MP lens on the 2018 iPad Pro. The positioning and quality of the new iPad Pro’s selfie camera are going to make a big difference if you’re frequently on video calls.

iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Pro (2018): accessories

Accessories are an important part of life with a modern iPad, whether that’s with a keyboard or stylus. The iPad Pro 2018 has no shortage of accessories available, including the Smart Keyboard and the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil. However, it lacks the modern accessories of the newer iPad Pro.

Want the impressive, but very expensive Magic Keyboard? It’s only available on the newer iPads, which includes the iPad Pro 2024. The new iPad Pro doesn’t support the 2nd gen Apple Pencil, though, so if you have one of those lying around, you’ll need to upgrade to the Apple Pencil Pro or USB-C Apple Pencil. That’s a bit annoying if you were hoping to reuse accessories, but that’s the nature of Apple’s ecosystem, we guess.

iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Pro (2018): price and availability

Alright, neither of these are cheap devices. Inflation has hit the iPad Pro range pretty hard, and it’s meant the newer models are several hundred dollars more expensive than the original asking price of the older models. It’ll cost you $999 for the basic 11-inch iPad Pro 2024, while the 13-inch one starts from a sky-high $1,299. Upgrades and additional accessories will push that even higher, making either of these a significant investment.

Sure, the 2018 iPad Pro started from $799 for the 11-inch and $999 for the 12.9-inch, but you’re not going to find them at that price or new at this point. It’s worth keeping in mind the value you’ve gotten for your money, especially if you bought your iPad Pro in 2018. You can probably expect to repeat that with the new iPad Pro, making the higher price less of a sticking point.

iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Pro (2018): is it worth upgrading?

Yes. The iPad Pro 2024 is a massive upgrade over the 2018 version. Not only is it thinner and lighter, but it’s also much more powerful and has a better front-facing camera, more accessory support, and years of updates ahead of it. If your 2018 iPad Pro has started to slow down, is looking scruffy, or is showing any other signs of age, then you should strongly consider taking this enormous leap forward.

While there’s some wisdom to hanging on as long as you can between upgrades, six years is a long time, and even a tablet as powerful as the iPad Pro has its limits. If you’re starting to feel those limits being hit, then it’s time to upgrade. The iPad Pro 2024 is a powerful, capable, beautiful machine that’s just as likely to last you as long between upgrades. Buy it now, and wait until the iPad Pro 2030 for your next upgrade.