One of the most noteworthy features of Apple’s new education-focused 9.7-inch iPad is its support for the Apple Pencil.
The Pencil previously only worked with iPad Pro models, so this iPad refresh has brought the variants closer together in similarity.
Below, find a comparison between the new $429 CAD 2018 9.7-inch iPad and the slightly larger $869 CAD 10.5-inch iPad Pro that shows what features might warrant the $440 price difference.
iPad (2018)
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
Display
9.7-inch, 2048 x 1536 pixels, 264 ppi
10.5-inch 2224 x 1668 pixels, 264ppi, True Tone display, ProMotion technology
Processor
Apple A10 Fusion, M10 co-processor
Apple A10X Fusion, M10 co-processor
RAM
2GB
4GB
Storage
32/128GB
64/256/512GB
Dimensions (in.)
240mm x 169.5mm x 7.5mm (9.45 x 6.67 x 0.30 in)
250.6mm x 174.1mm x 6.1mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.24 in)
Weight
469 g (Wi-Fi) / 478 g (LTE) (1.05 lb)
469 g (Wi-Fi) / 478 g (LTE) (1.05 lb)
Rear Facing Camera
8-megapixels, f/2.4, live photos, five element lens, 1080p HD video recording/720p@120fps
12-megapixel, f/1.8, OIS, Live photos with stabilization, Quad-LED flash (dual-tone), Wide colour capture, six element lens, 4k HD video recording, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps slo-mo
Front Facing Camera
1.2-megapizels,f/2.2, live photos, 720p video recording
7-megapixel, f/2.2 live photos, 1080p video recording
OS
iOS 11
iOS 11
Battery
8,827mAh battery
8,134 mAh battery
Network Connectivity
Wi-Fi up to 802.11.ac, LTE (23 bands), Bluetooth 4.2, GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Wi-Fi up to 802.11.ac, LTE (25 bands), Bluetooth 4.2, GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Sensors
First-generation Touch ID (finger print sensor), Three axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Baromter
Second-generation Touch ID (finger print sensor), Three axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Baromter
SIM Type
Nano-Sim, Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
Nano-Sim, Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
Launch Date
March 27, 2018
June 5, 2017
Misc
Two speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, silver, Space Grey, Gold, Price range $429 - $719 (CDN)
Four speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, silver, Space Grey, Rose Gold, Gold, Price range $869 - $1469 (CDN)
Display
iPad (2018)
9.7-inch, 2048 x 1536 pixels, 264 ppi
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
10.5-inch 2224 x 1668 pixels, 264ppi, True Tone display, ProMotion technology
Processor
iPad (2018)
Apple A10 Fusion, M10 co-processor
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
Apple A10X Fusion, M10 co-processor
RAM
iPad (2018)
2GB
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
4GB
Storage
iPad (2018)
32/128GB
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
64/256/512GB
Dimensions (in.)
iPad (2018)
240mm x 169.5mm x 7.5mm (9.45 x 6.67 x 0.30 in)
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
250.6mm x 174.1mm x 6.1mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.24 in)
Weight
iPad (2018)
469 g (Wi-Fi) / 478 g (LTE) (1.05 lb)
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
469 g (Wi-Fi) / 478 g (LTE) (1.05 lb)
Rear Facing Camera
iPad (2018)
8-megapixels, f/2.4, live photos, five element lens, 1080p HD video recording/720p@120fps
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
12-megapixel, f/1.8, OIS, Live photos with stabilization, Quad-LED flash (dual-tone), Wide colour capture, six element lens, 4k HD video recording, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps slo-mo
Front Facing Camera
iPad (2018)
1.2-megapizels,f/2.2, live photos, 720p video recording
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
7-megapixel, f/2.2 live photos, 1080p video recording
OS
iPad (2018)
iOS 11
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
iOS 11
Battery
iPad (2018)
8,827mAh battery
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
8,134 mAh battery
Network Connectivity
iPad (2018)
Wi-Fi up to 802.11.ac, LTE (23 bands), Bluetooth 4.2, GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
Wi-Fi up to 802.11.ac, LTE (25 bands), Bluetooth 4.2, GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Sensors
iPad (2018)
First-generation Touch ID (finger print sensor), Three axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Baromter
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
Second-generation Touch ID (finger print sensor), Three axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Baromter
SIM Type
iPad (2018)
Nano-Sim, Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
Nano-Sim, Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
Launch Date
iPad (2018)
March 27, 2018
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
June 5, 2017
Misc
iPad (2018)
Two speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, silver, Space Grey, Gold, Price range $429 - $719 (CDN)
iPad Pro 10.5 (2017)
Four speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, silver, Space Grey, Rose Gold, Gold, Price range $869 - $1469 (CDN)
Update 03/27/2018: The previous version of this comparison had the the dimensions in millimetres for the new iPad in both slots and an update has fixed this.
MobileSyrup may earn a commission from purchases made via our links, which helps fund the journalism we provide free on our website. These links do not influence our editorial content. Support us here.