The Best Tablet Gets Even Better

Apple iPad Pro 2020

- Kenny Yeo

AT A GLANCE

PROCESSOR A12Z Bionic

DISPLAY 12.9-inch Liquid Retina

STORAGE 1TB

PRICE $2,469

Apple recently announced a new iPad Pro. But unless you look closely, you might not be able to tell the difference. On the outside, the only giveaway sign is the larger camera bump. Otherwise, the rest of the tablet is mostly identical to the tablet it replaces. Overall dimensions are unchanged and weight has gone up a couple of grams to accommodate the larger camera module. In other words, the new iPad Pro remains very slim and light.

The biggest change with this new iPad Pro is in the cameras. It now has lidar scanner as well a 10-megapixel ultra wide camera to go along with its 12-megapixel wide camera. The lidar scanner, which stands for light detection and ranging, uses the Time-of-Flight principle to scan its surroundings. It emits lasers at a range of up to 5 metres and then analyses the light that is reflected to map its surroundings. With the lidar scanner, this new iPad Pro has a greater and more accurate understanding of its environment than any iPhone or iPad before it. And together with ARKit, Apple’s framework for AR applications, it allows developers to create more realistic and immersive AR experiences.

Unfortunately, the apps out there right now aren’t optimised for the lidar scanner so I’m unable to ascertain if the lidar scanner really makes a big difference. The only app that does make use of the lidar scanner right now is the Measure app, and I can confirm that the app launches much quicker with new iPad Pro. It’s also more accurate in determining edges and more accurate in measurements.