What are all the differences between the 10.5" iPad Pro and the 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen)? Which is best for my needs?

Please note that the 10.5" iPad Pro and 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen) have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently with current iOS support details and more. It is up-to-date and can be quite helpful to anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.

With only a quick glance at the 10.5" iPad Pro models -- the 10.5" iPad Pro (Wi-Fi Only) and 10.5" iPad Pro (Wi-Fi/Cellular) -- and the 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen) models -- the 12.9" iPad Pro (Wi-Fi Only - 2nd Gen) and 12.9" iPad Pro (Wi-Fi/Cellular - 2nd Gen) -- it would be easy to assume that the difference is size.

Although size is an important difference between these iPad Pro models, and the most important difference because they are much closer together in capability than their predecessors, there still are some differences that are not apparent from a quick view alone. Likewise, the similarities are important to understand, as well.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (10.5" iPad Pro & 12.9" iPad Pro 2nd Gen)

External Design & Color Differences

The 10.5" iPad Pro and the 12.9" iPad Pro 2nd Gen use external designs of similar style with gently rounded sides and corners and both have dual microphones and dual sets of stereo speakers.

However, as you would expect, the smaller model is smaller and lighter (9.8 inches by 6.8 inches and roughly a pound in weight) whereas the larger model is bigger and heavier (12 inches by 8.68 inches and roughly 1.5 pounds).

Both the smaller and larger device are available in black and "Space Gray," silver and white, or gold and white, but the smaller 10.5" iPad Pro also is available in a pink-tinted "Rose Gold" color option.

Accessory Support Differences

The 10.5" iPad Pro and the 12.9" iPad Pro 2nd Gen each support the Apple Pencil (A1603, US$99), as an optional purchase. The Apple Pencil provides a variety of pressure-sensitive sketching and drawing options.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Pencil)

Both the 10.5" iPad Pro and the 12.9" iPad Pro 2nd Gen models are equipped with a "Smart Connector" that provides connectivity for an optional Apple Smart Keyboard, but the Smart Keyboard for the smaller model is smaller and the one for the larger model is larger, naturally. The smaller keyboard is US$149 and the larger one is US$169.

Based on hands-on experience, EveryiPad.com finds both keyboards to be usable, and much better than typing on glass, but neither is as comfortable as typing on a proper keyboard. Typing on the larger Smart Keyboard does tend to be quicker and more accurate, though.

Display Differences

Both the 10.5" iPad Pro and the 12.9" iPad Pro 2nd Gen models have a multitouch-capable LED-backlit display with the same 264 ppi pixel density, wide color support (DCI-P3 color gamut), "True Tone" capability (that evaluates the color temperature and ambient brightness of your surroundings and dynamically adjusts the display's white balance to match), and "ProMotion" technology (that provides an adaptive refresh rate with a default of 120 Hz).

In fact, the only significant difference between the displays is that the smaller model has a resolution of 2224x1668 and the larger one has a resolution of 2732x2048.

Camera Differences (or Lack Thereof)

The 10.5" iPad Pro and the 12.9" iPad Pro 2nd Gen models have identical, quality cameras quality and can be used not only for "proper" photography, but also practical photography of paper forms and other documents to turn into PDF files.

The front-facing FaceTime HD cameras have a 7 megapixel sensor, an f/2.2 aperture, and are capable of shooting 1080p video.

The rear-mounted iSight cameras have a 12 megapixel sensor, an f/1.8 aperture, a six-element lens, True Tone flash, and can shoot 4K video at 30 fps, 1080p video at 30 fps or 60 fps, or 720p video at 30 fps. They support OIS and EIS for stabilizing video, too.

Identification Differences

Although it is easy to differentiate these iPad Pro models when they are next to one another, it is challenging to visually distinguish iPad models in general and visual identification is not a good method for differentiation overall.

Instead, one of the best methods for external identification is via Model Number. Model numbers are provided in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad:

iPad	Model No
10.5" iPad Pro (Wi-Fi Only)	A1701
10.5" iPad Pro (Wi-Fi/Cellular)	A1709
12.9" iPad Pro (Wi-Fi Only - 2nd Gen)	A1670
12.9" iPad Pro (Wi-Fi/Cellular - 2nd Gen)	A1671

EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iLookup feature also can precisely identify these iPad models by Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About), and their Serial Numbers, too.

Internal & Connectivity Differences

Although the specific parts are different, the 10.5" iPad Pro and 12.9" iPad Pro 2nd Gen have a great deal in common internally.

Both have a 2.3 GHz Apple A10X Fusion processor with six cores and an Apple M10 coprocessor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of storage, Wi-Fi support (802.11a/b/g/n/ac; 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual band; HT80 with MIMO), and the same LTE Advanced support, as well as an Embedded Apple SIM.

The only notable difference is that the smaller 10.5" iPad Pro has a 30.4-watt-hour battery and the larger 12.9" iPad Pro has a larger 41-watt-hour battery, but both are estimated to provide the same 10 hours of runtime surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music and the cellular capable models the same 9 hours of runtime surfing the web using a cellular network.

iOS Support Differences (or Lack Thereof)

Both the 10.5" iPad Pro and 12.9" iPad Pro 2nd Gen originally shipped with iOS 10.3.2 and both are capable of supporting iOS 11, iOS 12, iOS 13 (iPadOS), iPadOS 14, iPadOS 15, iPadOS 16, and iPadOS 17.

However, running iPadOS 15 and later, these models do not support any of the more advanced features, perhaps most notably Stage Manager with its full external display support.

iPad Pro 2nd Gen Comparison Chart

The above differences between the 10.5" iPad Pro and the 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen) -- as well as US pricing details -- are summarized below:

	10.5" iPad Pro	12.9" iPad Pro
Display Size:	10.5"	12.9"
Resolution:	2224x1668	2732x2048
ProMotion:	Yes	Yes
LTE Advanced:	25 Bands	25 Bands
Front Camera:	7 MP	7 MP
Rear Camera:	12 MP	12 MP
Video Recording:	4K	4K
Touch ID:	Yes	Yes
Apple Pay:	Yes	Yes
Apple SIM:	Embedded	Embedded
SIM Card:	Nano	Nano
Original iOS:	iOS 10.3.2	iOS 10.3.2
Maximum iOS:	iPadOS 17	iPadOS 17
Color Options:	Silver Gray Gold Rose Gold	Silver Gray Gold
Battery:	30.4 W Hr	41 W Hr
Height:	9.8 in.	12.0 in.
Width:	6.8 in.	8.68 in.
Depth/Thinness:	0.24 in.	0.27 in.
Weight:	1.03-1.05 lb.	1.49-1.53 lb.
Smart Keyboard:	Small	Large
Apple Pencil:	Yes	Yes
Original Price (Wi-Fi):	US$649 US$799* US$999*	US$799 US$949* US$1149*
Original Price (LTE):	US$779 US$929* US$1129*	US$929 US$1079* US$1279*

* Bizarrely, on September 12, 2017, Apple increased the price of all 256 GB and 512 GB options by US$50.

For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPad as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPad.com.

So, which iPad Pro 2nd Gen model is best for me?

Just compared to one another, and ignoring subsequent iPad Pro models, choosing between the 10.5" and 12.9" iPad Pro 2nd Gen models may be challenging as both tablets were fast and capable at the time they were released.

All iPad Pro models were created with the intention of being used as a full fledged computer and definitely could serve as the only computer for many users. In fact, for creative uses that involve more drawing (or basic image or video editing), and less typing, the iPad Pro might even be better than a typical notebook Mac or PC for those who like the iOS. Of course, the cost of these iPad Pro models also rivals a Mac notebook, as well.

However, just between these two iPad Pro models, it likely will boil down to whether (1) price and (2) portability are most important or alternately whether (3) screen size and (4) usability are more important, as the two devices are quite similar in terms of most specs.

If you do little typing and always are on the go, the smaller and cheaper 10.5" iPad Pro likely is the best choice. If you do some typing, but not enough to justify a notebook computer, and you find a bigger screen worthwhile to better capture big ideas, but price is not a concern, the larger 12.9" iPad Pro is the best choice for you.

Of course, if price is the most pressing concern, any number of other, cheaper iPad models on the new or used market should be considered, as well.

iPad Pro Purchase & Sale Options

There are a large number of places to buy a new or used iPad Pro. However, buying your iPad from a quality company with extensive knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.