🛠️ The Ultimate Tablet for Power Users and Gamers?
The 2018 Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB, Space Grey was a groundbreaking tablet at launch, offering a desktop-class experience with a sleek design. But does it still hold up in 2025? Let’s dive into this comprehensive review and see how it competes with modern tablets.
🏰 Design & Build: Premium, Sleek, and Timeless
The 2018 iPad Pro set the standard for tablet designs, featuring thin bezels, a flat-edged aluminum body, and a modern look that still feels premium today.
🌟 Key Design Highlights:
- Sleek aluminum unibody for a premium feel
- Ultra-thin at just 5.9mm – making it one of the slimmest tablets ever
- Lightweight at 468g – perfect for portability
- USB-C port for universal connectivity
- Face ID for seamless unlocking
🔍 Drawback: Lacks an official IP rating for water resistance, so be cautious near liquids.
📺 Display: Liquid Retina Excellence
Apple introduced Liquid Retina technology with this model, offering stunning color accuracy, smooth animations, and sharp details.
🔮 Display Features:
- 11-inch Liquid Retina (2388 x 1668 pixels)
- 120Hz ProMotion for ultra-smooth scrolling & gaming
- 600 nits brightness – great for indoor & outdoor use
- True Tone & P3 Wide Color for vibrant and natural visuals
- Anti-reflective coating for better visibility
🔍 Drawback: Unlike OLED screens, it lacks true deep blacks, but it still outperforms most modern LCDs.
🎯 Performance: Apple A12X Bionic Still Impresses
At launch, the A12X Bionic chip was revolutionary, delivering near desktop-class performance. Even in 2025, it competes with many modern tablets.
🏆 Performance Breakdown:
- Apple A12X Bionic (7nm, 8-core CPU & 7-core GPU)
- 4GB RAM for smooth multitasking
- 64GB base storage (non-expandable)
🔍 Drawback: The 64GB base model might not be enough for power users who store lots of files, games, or apps.
🎮 Gaming Performance: Tested on 5 Popular Games
The 2018 iPad Pro remains a strong performer in 2025, thanks to its A12X Bionic chip, which still handles modern apps and games efficiently. However, during sustained gaming sessions, the device may experience moderate heat buildup around the core area. This can lead to thermal throttling, causing a slight drop in performance and FPS stability over time. While it doesn’t drastically lose graphical power, the device may struggle to maintain peak performance in demanding games like Genshin Impact or Fortnite after extended play.
PUBG Mobile 🎮
- Graphics Setting: Ultra + HDR 🖼️
- FPS Performance: 60 FPS
Genshin Impact 🌄
- Graphics Setting: High Settings 🖼️
- FPS Performance: 45-50 FPS
Asphalt 9 🏎️
- Graphics Setting: Max Settings 🖼️
- FPS Performance: 60 FPS
Fortnite 🏰
- Graphics Setting: Medium Settings 🖼️
- FPS Performance: 45-50 FPS
Call of Duty 🔫
- Graphics Setting: Very High 🖼️
- FPS Performance: 60 FPS
🛠 Tip: Pair it with an Xbox or PlayStation controller for a console-like experience.
💻 Battery Life & Charging: Reliable but Not the Fastest
The iPad Pro 2018 offers solid battery life, but charging speeds are slower compared to modern devices.
🔋 Battery Life Estimates:
- Web Browsing: ~10 hours
- Video Streaming: ~9 hours
- Gaming: ~6-7 hours
Charging: Supports 18W fast charging via USB-C (0-100% in ~2 hours).
🔍 Drawback: No MagSafe or faster charging support like newer iPads.
🎧 Audio & Multimedia: Quad-Speaker Excellence
- Four-speaker stereo system for immersive sound
- Dolby Atmos support for cinematic audio
- No headphone jack – requires USB-C or wireless headphones
🔍 Verdict: Still one of the best-sounding tablets for entertainment.
📲 Software & Longevity: Still Getting Updates!
- Launched with iOS 12, now supports iPadOS 17 (2025)
- Stage Manager & Split View enhance multitasking
- Apple Pencil 2 support for note-taking & drawing
🔍 Great longevity! Expect at least 1-2 more years of updates.
📸 Camera: Great for Video Calls & Scanning
- 12MP rear camera (4K @ 60FPS)
- 7MP front camera (1080p @ 60FPS)
🔍 Perfect for FaceTime, Zoom calls, and document scanning.
🌟 Competitor Comparison (2025)
1. iPad Pro 2018 🍏
- 🖥️ Display: 11″ LCD, 120Hz
- 💨 Processor: A12X Bionic Chip
- ⏳ Battery Life: ~10 hours
- 💸 Starting Price: $350-400
- Why Buy? Still a powerhouse for performance and smooth display at a budget-friendly price!
2. iPad Air 5 (2022) 🍏✨
- 🖥️ Display: 10.9″ LCD, 60Hz
- 🚀 Processor: M1 Chip
- ⏳ Battery Life: ~10 hours
- 💸 Starting Price: $500+
- Why Buy? The M1 Chip makes it a beast for multitasking and creative work!
3. Samsung Tab S9 💥
- 🌈 Display: 11″ AMOLED, 120Hz
- ⚡ Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 🔋 Battery Life: ~12 hours
- 💸 Starting Price: $700+
- Why Buy? Stunning AMOLED display and top-tier performance for media lovers and gamers!
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 9 🖥️💼
- 🎨 Display: 13″ LCD, 120Hz
- 💻 Processor: Intel i5/i7
- ⏳ Battery Life: ~9 hours
- 💸 Starting Price: $900+
- Why Buy? Perfect for professionals who need a 2-in-1 laptop-tablet hybrid!
5. Lenovo Tab P12 Pro 🚀
- 🌟 Display: 12.6″ OLED, 120Hz
- 💨 Processor: Snapdragon 870
- ⏳ Battery Life: ~9 hours
- 💸 Starting Price: $600+
- Why Buy? A massive OLED screen and solid performance for entertainment and productivity!
Which One Should You Choose? 🤔
- 💸 Budget Pick: iPad Pro 2018
- 🚀 Best Performance: iPad Air 5 (2022)
- 🌈 Best Display: Samsung Tab S9
- 💼 Best for Professionals: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
- 🎥 Best for Media: Lenovo Tab P12 Pro
🔍 Verdict: The iPad Pro 2018 still offers great value for the price!
🔄 Accessories to Enhance Your Tablet
- Apple Pencil 2 🎨 – Ideal for artists & students
- Magic Keyboard ⌨️ – Boosts productivity
- Screen Protectors & Cases 🛡️ – Adds protection
🎯 Who Should Buy the iPad Pro 2018?
✔️ Students – Great for note-taking & studying
✔️ Artists – Apple Pencil 2 support for drawing
✔️ Casual users – Premium experience on a budget
✔️ Gamers – 120Hz display for smooth gameplay
❌ Avoid if you need: Longer battery life, expandable storage, or M-series chips.
📈 Final Verdict: Still Worth Buying in 2025?
🌟 Final Rating: 8/10 – A powerful tablet that still competes, but newer options offer better value.
💡 Tip: If you find it under $400, it’s one of the best budget premium tablets in 2025!
