Not long ago, the world saw the iPad Pro with a diagonal of 13 inches. Excellent capabilities were combined with a bulky size, which was unlikely to appeal to fans of mobility and compactness. Apple took this moment into account and pleased with the new iPad Pro 9.7, which, despite its powerful characteristics, has more familiar dimensions and no longer looks like a board in your hands, which, if desired, can be knocked out.

Features and benefits of iPad Pro 9.7

Externally, the iPad versions are similar to each other, but there are still minor differences. The camera on the iPad Pro 9.7 now protrudes like the sixth iPhone, a connector is installed to connect to the Smart Keyboard, an aluminum antenna cover (LTE version) matching the color of the case adds aesthetics, and there are now four speakers. There are well-known colors to choose from – Gold, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Silver.

The display is superior characteristics of Air 2 and even an older 13-inch brother. The compact Pro has 40% less glare and features True Tone light sensors that automatically adjust color tone to match your surroundings and even out white balance. Other parameters remained the same as in Air 2. The iPad Pro 13 is an excellent device for designers and artists, but the 9.7 model also retains support for Apple Pencil. If size is not the biggest issue, you can draw on a compact tablet.

It’s hard to complain about the quality of photos and videos in iPad Pro 9.7. Slow motion recording, 4K recording, and digital stabilization are available. The camera is far from the decisive criterion when choosing a tablet, but it is fair to say that here it is one of the best not only among tablets, but also among mobile devices in general.

Model specifications:

  • Apple A9X processor with 2 cores and a clock frequency of 2.26 GHz;
  • display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536, pixel density of 264 PPI and a diagonal of 9.7 inches;
  • glass with oleophobic coating;
  • memory options – 32, 128 and 256 GB;
  • RAM – 2 GB;
  • front camera – 5 MP, front – 12 MP;
  • phase detection autofocus, push focus and dual LED flash;
  • operating system – iOS 3;
  • graphics chip – PowerVR GT7900;
  • TRS connector for mini-jack plug (headphones), connector for smart keyboard, Lightning, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi;
  • Touch ID, light and proximity sensors, accelerometer;
  • battery – 7,306 mAh;
  • size 140 x 169.5 x 6.1 mm and weight 444 g.

The performance of the device is, without exaggeration, very high. Since the specifications remain almost the same as in the large Pro (with the exception of 4 GB RAM in the 13-inch), and the display diagonal has become smaller, the tablet operates almost lightning fast. For compact model 9.7 random access memory 2 GB is more than enough. Even the famous tanks on maximum graphics run quickly and without problems, and compatibility is not satisfactory, unlike the iPad Pro 13, where not all games ran smoothly.

Model price comparison: who should buy the iPad Pro 9.7 tablet?

First of all, for those who have not yet acquired a tablet or are planning to change their old device to something more powerful. Model 9.7 is an excellent option in all respects. Need drawing support? Will do. Required good camera on a tablet? Bull's-eye here too. Do you want to play powerful games? No problem.

The only thing that can compete with the Pro 9.7 is the Air 2, whose owners don’t make much sense to upgrade. Especially if they are not designers or artists. Since Apple makes tablets with the expectation that they will be relevant for several years, users who bought their devices in 2017 or 2018 have nothing to worry about. The Pro 9.7 was originally priced at around $600 with 32GB of memory, while the Air 2 was priced at $500 and had 64GB of storage. Nowadays both models are cheaper, but the difference, in essence, has not changed and the benefits are obvious. But for owners of the iPad Pro 13, who secretly dream of a more compact device with the same characteristics, the iPad Pro 9.7 is a fateful gift from Apple developers.

Comparative table with prices (rubles) for iPad Pro:

Model Minimum in Russia (unofficial suppliers with their own guarantee) Maximum in Russia (official suppliers with a guarantee from Apple) Official Apple store in Russia Official Apple Store in the USA
iPad Pro 12.9 inches 64 GB Wi-Fi 45 490 75 990 58 990 50 500 ($799)
iPad Pro 10.5 inches 64 GB Wi-Fi 37 850 56 990 46 990 40 100 ($649)
iPad Pro 9.7 inches 32 GB Wi-Fi 29 500 35 900 24 990 20 771 ($329)
iPad Pro 9.7 inches 32 GB Wi-Fi Cellular 36 650 63 000 34 990 29 000 ($459)

* Prices are current for 2018.

Model 9.7 is no longer classified as new and was presented back in 2015, but it still remains one of the best. This is evidenced not only by user reviews, but also by periodic purchases of covers and accessories for the tablet. This indicates that people continue to buy the presented version of the popular gadget.

Regular Wi-Fi or Cellular Wi-Fi?

Apple gadgets never cease to amaze users. iPads now have two options for connecting to the Internet - the familiar Wi-Fi, which was there before, and the mysterious at first glance Wi-Fi Cellular. English speakers can already guess what we're talking about. “Cellular” translated from English means cellular communication.

In other words, if this option is available, the tablet can be connected to the mobile Internet and use the same tariff as on the phone. It is much simpler, more convenient and more stable than using a phone with the Internet as a modem. As with its predecessor, this choice is available in iPad Pro 9.7. There are no differences in the designs and sizes of the models, except for the presence of a SIM card slot. All differences are hidden in the hardware.

Comparison table of Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Cellular devices

WiFi WiFi Cellular
Wi Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), 2 bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
Bluetooth 4.2 Bluetooth 4.2
Data transmission technology for mobile communications GSM/EDGE
CDMA Multiple Access System EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B
Technologies cellular communication UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA
High speed data transfer standard for mobile phones LTE

A device exclusively with regular Wi-Fi is suitable for use in all places where there are access points - at home, at work, in some entertainment venues, recreation areas, etc. Cellular support allows you to connect to the Internet mobile operator during a trip or in other areas where there is simply no way to connect to Wi-Fi. Additional amenities affect the cost. Firstly, the presence of the option itself adds more than a hundred dollars to the price of the iPad, and secondly, no one can cancel the monthly payment for the tariff plan.

Who is Wi-Fi Cellular suitable for?

For those who are constantly on the go, business trips, traveling and do not sit still next to the router, but need a stable and fast internet on the tablet. The only limitation in use is the distribution area cellular signal. enjoy mobile internet, if the network is not caught, it will not work at all. Otherwise, a Cellular-enabled tablet is an ideal option for users who want to use an iPad and surf the Internet outside the home. If you can spend a little more on a tablet and pay a tariff, why deny yourself the convenience?

New Apple iPad 9.7 (2017) belongs to the fifth generation in the Apple tablet series. The design is no longer amazing, and many elements are borrowed from iPad Air. But still we consider him one of the best tablets, especially with a price of $330 (RUR 18,800).

New tablet Apple iPad 9.7 (2017) - Reviews

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2017) has everything most users need - a durable battery, powerful processor, a large amount of memory, regular updates and a huge library of applications.

Apple hasn't changed much in the design of its new products. The 9.7-inch iPad 2017 has almost the same dimensions as the iPad Air 2 - it is slightly thicker (7.5 mm) and heavier (469 grams), but still very thin and light.

There is an Apple logo in the middle of the back panel, the camera is in the upper left corner, and the insert for the cellular module appears to be black or white stripe. On the front panel there is a physical button that is more pressure sensitive than on the iPhone 7. The screen is surrounded by wide frames, and the front camera is located above it.

On the right side you will find the volume buttons, at the top there is a power button, at the bottom there is a Lightning port with two speaker grilles. The sound is quite loud for movies or music, and while it's not quite as good as the iPad Pro with two additional speakers, it's still better than most tablets in this price range.

The 9.7-inch display of the Apple iPad 9.7 (2017) is ideal for watching videos. There is no anti-glare coating like the iPad 2 Air, it is 25 percent brighter, and the image remains legible even in direct sunlight. The resolution is the same as on the iPad Pro (2048 × 1536), which is 2 times more expensive. The quality is not as high, which means for artists and others who rely on color accuracy creative people The tablet doesn't fit. However, it is enough for reading or watching movies.

Build quality is high, although the screen is easily covered with fingerprints or dust.

System Performance

The new Apple iPad 9.7 (2017) is equipped with an A9 processor, an M9 coprocessor and 2 GB of RAM. While watching a video on YouTube, visiting social networks, as well as in such demanding games as Injustice: Gods Among Us and Unkilled, performance remained consistently high almost always.

Models are available with 32 GB or 128 GB of internal memory. 3D Touch function is not supported. The Home button has a fingerprint scanner built into it, allowing you to quickly unlock your device.

iOS 10 offers a wide range of optimized apps where screen usage plays a big role - that's where Android tablets seriously behind. Multitasking gestures are supported, although they're not as convenient as those on the iPad Pro with its larger 12.9-inch display. Split View and Slide Over functions are available, which allow you to use multiple applications simultaneously. When using Split View, performance sometimes sags, but I sent emails without problems e-mail, wrote in Google Docs and browsed the web.

Battery

The battery capacity is an impressive 8,610 mAh - this explains the thickness of the tablet. Within a week of use with WiFi tablet discharged to 40%. It is worth keeping in mind that with LTE connection The battery drains faster.

An 8-megapixel camera with f/2.4 aperture is located on the rear panel, and a 1.2-megapixel camera with f/2.2 is on the front. Both take photos with almost no delay, the back one shows high quality and detail, but still the iPhone will best choice for photography enthusiasts.

Pictures on front camera are grainy due to the low resolution, although this is sufficient for use.

Bottom line

The 9.7-inch Apple iPad (2017) is a tablet aimed at the majority. You can use it to watch videos, visit websites, play games or perform other moderately heavy tasks.

The Amazon Fire HD 8, Nvidia Shield K1 or Asus ZenPad 3S 10 are in the same price range, but they don't have the same variety of apps. For an additional $270 (R15,400), you can get a 9.7-inch iPad Pro with 4 speakers, best display, an excellent camera, support for Apple Pencil, Smart Keyboard and much more.

Apple regularly releases updates. Unlike most Android tablet manufacturers, you can count on support for more than two years. Therefore, I confidently recommend the Apple iPad 9.7 (2017) - a tablet with excellent quality at a low price.

Advantages

  • Excellent performance
  • Long lasting battery
  • Availability
  • Large display
  • Subtlety and ease of work

Interface

All the necessary utilities for working with iPads are visible and easily accessible. The easy-to-use menu is intuitive for both professionals and amateurs. The user significantly reduces the time spent running programs.

Cloud storage

In addition to the resources of a large iPad, the capabilities of a remote server are added - free storage space backup copies multimedia files, contacts, notes, as well as processing technology and data access. Using a special option in ICloud, you can track the location of the device in real time.

How to buy an iPad

The Eldorado online store offers inexpensive purchase of a multifunctional compact iPad that can replace a stationary one. Personal Computer. The site provides convenient filters that will help you quickly sort devices by number of cores, amount of internal and RAM memory, screen diagonal, series and color. iPad tablets have the optimal ratio of price, quality and characteristics.

  1. Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard sold separately.
  2. Game controllers are not compatible with all games and are sold separately. Availability varies by country.
  3. Cost 199 rub. per month upon completion trial period. Subscription renews automatically until cancelled. You can cancel your subscription at any time.
  4. Requires a Wi-Fi connection or cellular network; Cellular data charges may apply.
  5. The cost is 199 rubles per month after the trial period ends. Single subscription to an iCloud Family Sharing group. Offer valid for 3 months after activation of eligible device. Subscription renews automatically until cancelled. There are certain restrictions and other conditions.
  6. Required tariff plan data transmission. 4G LTE networks are not available in all regions or with all carriers. Speed ​​calculated based on theoretical bandwidth and depends on local conditions. Detailed information For LTE support, contact your carrier or visit .
  7. Battery life varies depending on device settings and usage. More details on the page.
  • The presented third-party applications are available in the App Store. Products and applications shown are not guaranteed to be available.
  • Some features may not be available in all countries or regions. Click to see the full list.

It looks unexpected at first, but very logical. Indeed, the line of iPads with the classic 9.7-inch diagonal has not been updated for a year and a half, but this is the size that many users consider optimal in terms of the combination of compactness and convenience.

For the last six months, the flagship of Apple's tablet family has been the iPad Pro with a 12.9-inch display. It boasts record-breaking performance, four speakers and the ability to use the Apple Pencil stylus. But the dimensions of this model are too large for mobile use, and the price is high.

In the new iPad Pro, it was decided to combine the best: the compact size of the iPad Air 2 with the functional advantages of the iPad Pro. In addition to this, the new product is cheaper than its older brother by as much as 19 thousand rubles.

How successful was the hybrid of the first iPad Pro and iPad Air 2? And which Apple tablet today can be considered the flagship of the entire Apple tablet line? Testing the new iPad Pro should answer this question.

First let's look at specifications new items

Apple iPad Pro Specifications

  • Apple A9X 2.16 GHz SoC (2 64-bit cores, Twister architecture based on ARMv8-A)
  • GPU PowerVR 7XT
  • Apple M9 motion coprocessor including barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope
  • RAM 2 GB
  • Flash memory 32/128/256 GB
  • No memory card support
  • operating room iOS system 9.3
  • Touch display IPS, 9.7″, 2048×1536 (264 ppi), capacitive, multi-touch
  • Cameras: front (5 MP, 720p video via FaceTime) and rear (12 MP, 4K video shooting)
  • Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz; MIMO support)
  • Cellular Internet (optional): UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz), LTE (bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38 , 39, 40, 41)
  • A2DP LE, GPS / A-GPS (in version with cellular module), Glonass
  • Touch ID fingerprint scanner
  • 3.5mm stereo headset jack, Lightning dock connector
  • Lithium polymer battery 27.91 Wh
  • Dimensions 240×169.5×6.1 mm
  • Weight 444 g (our measurement of the version with cellular module)

For clarity, let’s compare the characteristics of the new product with the iPad Pro 12.9″ and iPad Air 2.

iPad Pro 12.9″ iPad Air 2
ScreenIPS, 12.9″, 2732×2048 (264 ppi)IPS, 9.7″, 2048×1536 (264 ppi)
SoC (processor)Apple A9X @2.16 GHz (2 cores, 64 bits, Twister architecture based on ARMv8-A) + M9 coprocessorApple A9X @2.26 GHz (2 cores, 64 bits, Twister architecture based on ARMv8-A) + M9 coprocessorApple A8X @1.5 GHz (3 cores, 64 bits, Typhoon architecture, based on ARMv8-A) + M8 coprocessor
GPUPowerVR 7XTPowerVR 7XTPowerVR GXA6850
Flash memory32 / 128 / 256 GB32 / 128 / 256 GB16 / 64 / 128 GB
ConnectorsLightning, 3.5mm headphone jackLightning, 3.5mm headphone jack
Memory card supportNoNoNo
RAM2 GB4 GB2 GB
Camerasfront (5 MP, 720p video via FaceTime) and rear (12 MP, 4K video shooting)front (1.2 MP, 720p video via FaceTime) and rear (8 MP, 1080p video shooting)
InternetWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), optional 3G / 4G LTEWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), optional 3G / 4G LTE
Battery capacity (Wh)27,5 38,5 27,6
operating systemApple iOS 9.3 (upgrade to iOS 9.3.1 available)Apple iOS 9.1 (upgrade to iOS 9.3.1 available)Apple iOS 8.1 (upgrade to iOS 9.3.1 available)
Dimensions (mm)*240×169.5×6.1306×221×6.9240×170×6.1
Weight (g)**444 727 444
Average price***T-13584214T-12859222T-11153497
Retail offers iPad Pro 9.7″ 32 GB Wi-FiL-13584214-10
Retail offers iPad Pro 9.7″ 128 GB Wi-FiL-13584215-10
Retail offers iPad Pro 9.7″ 256 GB Wi-FiL-13584131-10

*according to manufacturer information
** version with cellular module, our measurement
*** for the version with a minimum of flash memory and communication capabilities

So what should you pay attention to? First of all, the amount of RAM: the new iPad Pro has half as much as the first. But the main camera of the new product has a resolution of 12 megapixels and supports 4K video recording - for the first time we see this on Apple tablets!

Another non-obvious aspect that is worth paying attention to is the CPU frequency lowered by 100 MHz in the iPad Pro 9.7″. But testing will show how this will affect performance.

Packaging and accessories

The packaging of the iPad Pro is traditional for Apple tablets and is practically no different from the packaging of previous generations of tablets.

As for the packaging, there are no surprises here either: leaflets, charger, Lightning cable, stickers and a key for removing the SIM card cradle. The charger has the same power as the iPad Air 2: 10 W (2.1 A, 5.1 V).

Design and accessories

Externally, the new iPad Pro is very similar to the Air 2. The dimensions of the tablets are the same down to the millimeter. The weight is also identical: 437 grams for versions without a cellular module and 444 grams for the version with LTE. But it would be a mistake to say that Apple simply took the body of the iPad Air 2 and inserted the insides of the iPad Pro into it.

There are two important differences here. First: like the large iPad Pro, the new product is equipped with stereo speakers. Two speakers are located on the bottom edge, two on the top. Therefore, when watching a movie, you get optimal sound directionality. This photo shows two speakers on top - the iPad Air 2 didn't have them. In addition, the plastic insert for the cellular module itself looked different. Here it is just a thin strip of plastic, but before this entire area was made of white plastic.

And one more difference: there is a connector for connecting the Type Cover keyboard cover. Alas, for now its functionality is limited to this, that is, contacts cannot be used for recharging. But I would like to hope that in Apple's future will release corresponding accessories such as a docking station or something similar.

Keyboard cover for the new iPad Pro Apple company released simultaneously with the tablet. We told you in detail about the Apple Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro 12.9″. The version for the iPad Pro 9.7″ differs from its predecessor only in size, otherwise everything is similar - capabilities, materials, design, and keyboard layout.

Let us remind you that the Apple Smart Keyboard completely replaces the proprietary Smart Cover, protecting the screen and allowing you to install the tablet at an angle, and at the same time turns the tablet into something like a netbook. But alas, due to its reduced size, the new keyboard does not allow touch typing to be as comfortable as the keyboard for the iPad Pro 12.9″. The photo below clearly shows the size ratio of the two keyboards.

We admit that over time you can get used to the new keyboard. But in a week I was not able to do this, although on the keyboard for large iPad Pro author prints with the same comfort as on regular laptop. Here the situation is further aggravated by the lack of Russification. If for the larger Smart Keyboard this is not important, since it is comfortable to type text blindly, then when working with the new accessory, your hands feel uncomfortable, you have to lower your eyes to the keyboard, but this is even more confusing, because there are no Russian letters.

Let's add to this the considerable price of the keyboard (11,790 rubles) - and we will conclude that it is better to think ten times before buying it. But with other accessories the situation is the opposite. We are talking about the Smart Cover and the Silicone Case.

When we put a similar case and cover on the iPad Pro, the resulting design seemed too bulky to us. In the case of the iPad Pro 9.7″, the increase in size due to the attached accessories is not so noticeable and annoying. On the contrary: it turns out neat and beautiful. Therefore, we safely recommend getting at least a Smart Case, or you can also get a Silicone Case. In addition, these things themselves are very pleasant to the touch. Nice than Smart Keyboard.

But the main accessory is, of course, the Apple Pencil, which is compatible with both iPad Pros equally. Drawing and writing on the new compact iPad Pro is just as convenient as on a large tablet - of course, adjusted for the size of the display. Whereas the stylus is not compatible with the iPad Air 2. Therefore, for artists, designers and anyone who likes to use a stylus, the new iPad Pro is much more preferable than the iPad Air 2.

Summarizing our impressions of the iPad Pro 9.7″ design, we note as the main plus the appearance of two additional speakers (and, accordingly, turning the sound into stereo) and Apple support Pencil. A less significant advantage is the presence of a connector for the Smart Keyboard. More precisely, it is good in itself, but the smaller version of the Smart Keyboard gave us mixed impressions.

And the most interesting thing is that in the year and a half that has passed since the release of the iPad Air 2, the design of the case has not become outdated at all, and it still looks exemplary. Stylish, thin, lightweight - it still deserves the highest marks. Especially with such improvements.

Screen

The iPad Pro has a 9.7-inch screen with a resolution of 2048×1536 - in general, exactly the same parameters as the iPad Air 2. However, in the new product, Apple has introduced True Tone technology, aimed at adjusting the color temperature of the screen to the external environment. lighting. This is an exclusive feature of the iPad Pro 9.7″, on others Apple devices it is not available. Besides this, with the last iOS update a Night Shift function appeared, designed to adjust the image in an optimal way (from a physiological point of view) for working with the tablet before bed. But this is already available not only on the iPad Pro, but on all Apple mobile devices with latest version iOS. However, since we have not written about this before, we will now explore both technologies.

Detailed testing of the screen was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, Alexey Kudryavtsev. Below is his conclusion.

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are much better than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) screen (hereinafter simply Nexus 7). For clarity, here is a photograph in which a white surface is reflected when the screens are turned off (on the left - Nexus 7, on the right - iPad Pro 9.7, then in all comparative photographs they can be distinguished by size):

The screen of the iPad Pro 9.7 is noticeably darker (brightness according to photographs is 59 versus 110 for the Nexus 7). The ghosting of reflected objects in the iPad Pro 9.7 screen is very weak, this indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen (more specifically, between the outer glass and the surface of the LCD matrix) (OGS - One Glass Solution type screen). Due to the smaller number of boundaries (glass/air type) with very different refractive indices, such screens look better in conditions of strong external illumination, but their repair in the case of cracked external glass is much more expensive, since the entire screen has to be replaced. The outer surface of the screen has a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, but still slightly worse than that of the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed much more easily and appear at a slower rate than with regular glass.

With manual brightness control and when the white field was displayed in full screen, the maximum brightness value was about 505 cd/m², the minimum was 2.8 cd/m². The maximum brightness is very high, and given the excellent anti-glare properties, readability even on a sunny day outdoors will be at an excellent level. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable value. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on light sensors (there are two of them, they are located in the upper corners (with portrait orientation), are masked with a white coating on the inside of the glass, while the readings of the sensor that produces the larger value are taken into account). IN automatic mode When external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases. The operation of this function somehow depends on the position of the brightness adjustment slider at the current level of external illumination; we cannot find out exactly how exactly in the case of Apple devices, but the user can certainly try to influence the operation of this function. At least if you don’t touch anything and just turn on the function automatic adjustment brightness, then in complete darkness the automatic brightness adjustment function reduces the brightness to 4.5 cd/m² (a bit dark), in an office illuminated by artificial light (about 400 lux) the brightness increases to 110-140 cd/m² (just right), in in a very bright environment (corresponding to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or a little more) is set to 505 cd/m² (the maximum that is needed). It turns out that the auto-brightness function works more or less adequately. At any brightness level, there is no significant modulation of the backlight, so there is no flickering of the screen (at minimum brightness there are narrow peaks with variable frequency, but flickering was still not noticeable even with great effort).

This tablet uses an IPS matrix. The microphotographs show a typical IPS subpixel structure:

For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.

The screen has good viewing angles without significant color shift even with large viewing deviations from perpendicular to the screen and without inverting shades. For comparison, here are photographs in which iPad screens Pro 9.7 and Nexus 7 display the same images, while the screen brightness is initially set to approximately 200 cd/m² (on the white field in full screen, on the iPad Pro 9.7 this corresponds to a value of 64% brightness when using third party programs), and the color balance on the camera is forcibly switched to 6500 K. There is a white field perpendicular to the screens:

Note the good uniformity of brightness and color tone of the white field. And a test picture:

Color balance varies slightly, color saturation is normal. Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen:

It can be seen that the colors did not change much on both screens and the contrast remained high level. And a white field:

The brightness of the screens at an angle decreased (by at least 4 times, based on the difference in shutter speed), but in the case of the iPad Pro 9.7 the drop in brightness is less. When deviated diagonally, the black field is lightened slightly and acquires a purple tint. The photographs below demonstrate this (the brightness of the white areas in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the screens is approximately the same!):

And from another angle:

When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is good, but not ideal:

The contrast (approximately in the center of the screen) is high - about 980:1. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 29 ms (17 ms on + 12 ms off). The transition between halftones of gray 25% and 75% (according to the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 40 ms. The gamma curve, constructed using 32 points with equal intervals based on the numerical value of the shade of gray, did not reveal any blockage in either the highlights or the shadows. The exponent of the approximating power function is 2.11, which is slightly lower than the standard value of 2.2. In this case, the real gamma curve deviates little from the power-law dependence:

Color gamut is almost equal to sRGB:

Let's look at the spectra:

Such spectra are (unfortunately) found in top mobile devices from Sony and other manufacturers. Apparently, this screen uses LEDs with a blue emitter and green and red phosphor (usually a blue emitter and a yellow phosphor), which, in combination with special matrix filters, allows for a wide color gamut. Yes, and the red phosphor apparently uses so-called quantum dots. This in itself is not a plus. For a consumer device, a wide color gamut is not an advantage, but a significant disadvantage, since as a result, the colors of images (drawings, photographs and films) oriented to the sRGB space (and the vast majority of them) have an unnatural saturation. This is especially noticeable on recognizable shades, such as skin tones. But unlike many famous and not so famous companies, Apple knows what the color gamut should be, and therefore carefully adjusts it to the sRGB boundaries. As a result, visually the colors have a natural saturation.

The balance of shades on the gray scale is good, since Colorful temperature slightly higher than the standard 6500 K, and the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) is less than 10, which is considered an acceptable indicator for a consumer device. At the same time, color temperature and ΔE change little from hue to hue - this has a positive effect on the visual assessment of color balance. (The darkest areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)

The curves in the graphs above Without corr. correspond to what the user sees by default. Previously, this was the only way, but now the user has been given two functions into his playful hands. The first one is called True Tone(the functions are so new that they do not yet have a translation into Russian).

This function, if enabled, adjusts the color balance to the conditions environment. For example, we activated it and placed the tablet under fluorescent lamps with cool white light, we ended up with ΔE and color temperature values ​​corresponding to the points on the graph Cold (lum.). Under a halogen incandescent lamp (warm light) - graphics Warm (heat), with a reduced color temperature. The function works as expected. Note that the current standard is to calibrate display devices to a white point of 6500 K, but in principle, correction for the color temperature of external light can be useful if you want to achieve a better match between the image on the screen and what is visible on paper (or any other device). a medium on which colors are formed by the reflection of incident light) under current conditions.

The second function is Night Shift, which makes the picture warmer at night (the user specifies how much warmer). The graphs above show the values ​​​​obtained at the middle position of the parameter slider Color temperature(correctly, by the way - “color temperature”), when shifted all the way to Warmer and to Colder(graphs are signed in the appropriate way). The bottom line is that in bright light, a person’s production of melatonin (the hormone that controls a person’s fatigue and need for sleep) is suppressed, which can lead to disruption of the circadian rhythm and other unpleasant consequences. However, if you try to study articles of a level higher than those that advise placing a cactus next to the computer, it becomes clear that nothing is really known. Yes, everyone agrees that the brighter the light and the more light in the blue region (400-500 nm), the greater the suppression of melatonin production, but the critical levels of illumination in different sources differ by several orders of magnitude. For orientation, if you look at the screen of this iPad Pro 9.7 in complete darkness from a distance of 40 cm, then at a brightness of 100% (500 cd/m²), 50% (140 cd/m²) and 20% (30 cd/m²) m²) illumination at eye level will be 80, 23 and 4.7 lux, respectively. The latter value corresponds to a comfortable brightness level for conditions of complete darkness (and it is not a fact that many will not prefer lower values), and according to one study, it can no longer significantly affect the production of melatonin even in the case of “cold” LED lighting. In any case, if you succumb to the horror stories told, then it is better, when having fun with a tablet in bed at night, looking at it, reduce the screen brightness to a minimum, but still comfortable level, and only then, to calm your own paranoia, turn the screen yellow with the setting Night Shift.

Let's summarize. The screen has a very high maximum brightness and has excellent anti-glare properties, so the device can be used outdoors without any problems, even on a sunny summer day. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable level. It is also possible to use a mode with automatic brightness adjustment, which works more or less adequately (and two sensors definitely increase the adequacy). The advantages of the screen include an effective oleophobic coating, the absence of air gaps in the layers of the screen and flicker, high black stability to deviation of the gaze from perpendicular to the screen plane, high contrast, as well as the sRGB color gamut and good color balance. There are no significant shortcomings. Regarding functions True Tone And Night Shift- let them be, they definitely don’t do any harm, since they don’t have to be turned on.

Performance

The iPad Pro runs on the Apple A9X SoC, built on the 16 nm process. The single-chip system includes a dual-core 64-bit CPU with Twister architecture based on ARMv8-A, PowerVR 7XT GPU and Apple M9 motion coprocessor.

At the moment, this is the flagship of the entire Apple SoC line: the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus have the Apple A9, operating at a lower frequency (1.85 GHz versus 2.26 GHz for the Apple A9X), and the iPad Air 2 has the Apple A8X, which has whose CPU frequency is even lower (1.5 GHz), but has three cores. We described in the article about the iPad Pro 12.9″ how the performance of the Apple A9X compares with the A9 and A8X, as well as with the leading SoCs from the Android device camp. Here we will focus on the issue of the performance ratio of the iPad Pro 12.9″ and 9.7″. Let us remind you that judging by the characteristics, the new iPad Pro has two weak points: half the amount of RAM and a slightly lower (by 100 MHz) CPU frequency. But will the user be able to feel it?

Let's start with browser tests: SunSpider 1.0, Octane Benchmark and Kraken Benchmark. We will also add to our standard set a new browser benchmark, recommended by the creators of SunSpider as a replacement for it. To avoid misunderstandings, let’s make a reservation that we performed these and the following tests on the iPad Pro 12.9″ again in order to minimize the error due to changing versions of benchmarks and OS, so the numbers we give differ from those that appear in the iPad Pro 12.9 review ″.

It is clearly visible that the new product is quite a bit, but still lags behind its older brother. However, compared to the iPad Air 2, the result is still excellent.

Now let's see how the iPad Pro performs in Geekbench 3 - a multi-platform benchmark that measures CPU and RAM performance, as well as a comprehensive AnTuTu Benchmark, which has recently begun to work normally on iOS.

If in browser benchmarks the difference between the two iPad Pros could still be attributed to an error, then here the situation is more obvious: the new product loses (although it is superior to the iPad Air 2).

The last group of benchmarks is dedicated to testing GPU performance. We used 3DMark, GFXBench Metal 3.1.5 and Basemark Metal.

Let's start with GFXBecnh. Let us remind you that Offscreen tests involve displaying a 1080p image on the screen, regardless of the actual screen resolution. And tests without Offscreen mean that the image is displayed in exactly the resolution that matches the device screen resolution. That is, Offscreen tests are indicative from the point of view of the abstract performance of the SoC, and real tests are indicative from the point of view of the comfort of the game on a specific device.

Apple iPad Pro 9.7″
(Apple A9X)
Apple iPad Pro 12.9″
(Apple A9X)
Apple iPad Air 2
(Apple A8X)
GFXBenchmark Manhattan 3.1 (Onscreen)23.7 fps19.9 fps-
GFXBenchmark Manhattan 3.1 (1080p Offscreen)33.9 fps55.3 fps-
GFXBenchmark Manhattan (Onscreen)31.8 fps34.4 fps24.5 fps
GFXBenchmark Manhattan (1080p Offscreen)45.8 fps81.9 fps32.8 fps
GFXBenchmark T-Rex (Onscreen)59.9 fps59.9 fps52.5 fps
GFXBenchmark T-Rex (1080p Offscreen)97.2 fps161.2 fps70.6 fps

And again, the new iPad Pro is clearly losing out to its larger brother. Moreover, it is very significant.

The layout is similar. Except that in Ice Storm Unlimited the difference is not so great.

Finally - Basemark Metal, compatible only with iOS devices.

When the test scene was displayed, there was a frames per second counter in the upper left corner. In the case of the iPad Pro 12.9″ it showed 23-24 fps, on the iPad Air 2 it was 9-10 fps, and on the iPad Pro 9.7″ it was about 14 fps.

In general, the benchmarks helped us get a fairly clear picture: the iPad Pro 9.7″ is significantly more productive than the iPad Air 2, but it falls far short of the iPad Pro 12.9″. This is especially significant in graphics tests, although there is a difference in processor benchmarks.

What's most interesting is that even at the lower resolution, the new iPad Pro exhibits lower 3D graphics performance than the previous iPad Pro. It can be assumed that the GPU frequency was also lowered, because it is unlikely that only the CPU and RAM would have given such an effect. Most likely, this is explained by the desire to achieve a long time battery life and lack of overheating, since both are more difficult to achieve in a more compact case. But, one way or another, we have to admit that the best gaming device Among the tablets, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro remains.

Note that thanks to the presence of the Apple M9 motion coprocessor, the new iPad Pro, like its larger predecessor, supports the Siri voice call function - just say “Hey Siri!” without touching the tablet, and Siri will launch. Moreover, with initial setup Siri will remember your voice and will not respond to other people's commands.

Autonomous operation and heating

We conducted detailed battery tests on the iPad Pro. Judging by them, the tablet as a whole is not inferior in terms of battery life to the iPad Pro 12.9″ and is superior to the iPad Air 2 in scenarios involving heavy load (3D games).

Apple claims the same battery life for both iPad Pros, and this is not far from the truth: indeed, it is impossible to say that one iPad Pro lasts longer than the other (although results may vary in different scenarios). Here we also need to take into account that the duration of work in a particular scenario is influenced by the ratio of conditions. For example, if you set the brightness of both tablets higher, then the result may be a little better for one, and a little worse for the other. And if you lower the brightness (of course, to the same level), the result may be the opposite. But overall, the iPad Pro 9.7″, like its predecessor, is truly one of the longest-lived tablets today.

As a minus, we note that the discharge rate of the tablet is uneven, that is, from 100% to 50% it discharges much slower than from 50% to 0%. There is a similar relationship with the charging process. In just over an hour it can be charged by a third, but for a full charge from the supplied charger it will take more than three and a half hours.

Under high loads, the tablet heats up, but moderately. Below is a thermal image of the back surface obtained after two consecutive runs (about 10 minutes of work) of the Basemark Metal test:

It can be seen that the heating is slightly more localized in the area of ​​the right edge, approximately in the center, which is . According to the heat chamber, the maximum heating was 38 degrees (at an ambient temperature of 24 degrees), one degree lower than.

Work in LTE networks

The tablet will work in almost all LTE networks. That is, you can safely buy an iPad Pro in another country and at the same time be sure that with us it will be fully functional in terms of communication capabilities.

LTE reception is reliable. Speed ​​measurements using the iOS application Speedtest.net (using an MTS SIM card) showed normal results for both data receiving and downloading. However, the results may greatly depend on the operator.

iPad supports hot-swap and SIM card swapping (without reboot), also supports Apple SIM virtual SIM standard and all the latest LTE standards and Wi-Fi (LTE-Advanced, Wi-Fi 5 GHz 802.11ac). We didn’t notice any differences from the iPad Pro 12.9″ here.

Camera

iPad Pro is equipped with two cameras - front with a resolution of 5 megapixels and rear with a resolution of 12 megapixels. For the first time, iPad Pro features the same camera module as Latest iPhone generations! And for the first time, Apple added a flash to a tablet. In addition to this, 4K 30 fps video recording is supported. But, alas, there is no optical stabilization here, unlike the iPhone 6s Plus.

We were also very pleased with the video shooting. An example of a 4K video is available. Notice how well the small objects in the background are worked out - house windows, metal fence bars. Clarity is excellent and there are almost no artifacts.

By the way, in the past we often said that a camera on a tablet is not the most necessary thing. More precisely, its task boils down to capturing some kind of document, which could then be read directly on the tablet screen. However, with the development of photo and video editing tools on mobile devices, we have to admit that using even large tablets as shooting tools is completely justified. For example, you can shoot a 4K video and immediately edit it in iMovie, and the performance will be enough to process two 4K streams simultaneously. Or, using Pixelmator, you can remove unnecessary objects from a photo and publish it immediately.

What can we say about various software for professional work with images ( Adobe applications, for example) where you can use the stylus. Here the iPad Pro 9.7″ is the ideal solution, because with its help you can shoot material, edit it at a professional level, and publish it or send it to someone. And if the size of the large iPad Pro is still too large for comfortable use when shooting, then the new iPad Pro is quite convenient in this capacity.

conclusions

Apple has released a wonderful device. Simply wonderful. And thereby complicated the already difficult choice for users who want to get an Apple tablet. If previously the choice was between the more compact, but also significantly weaker iPad Air 2, which, in addition, did not support the stylus and keyboard cover, now you have to choose between three models: the larger iPad Pro, the more compact new iPad Pro and the cheaper iPad Air 2.

In principle, the choice between the iPad Pro 9.7″ and the iPad Air 2 is approximately the same as between two devices of the same line, but of neighboring generations. Well, let's say, like between the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6. That is, the dilemma comes down to whether you are willing to overpay for a more advanced configuration and additional features or not. The price difference between the cheapest versions of the iPad Pro 9.7″ and iPad Air 2 is 17 thousand rubles. A lot, yes. But at the same time, the iPad Pro 9.7″ has twice the amount of flash memory, a significantly more powerful SoC, better camera, stereo speakers, support for stylus and keyboard cover. These are serious arguments, and everyone decides for themselves how critical this is for them, depending on the use cases. Let's say, if you're not a fan of the latest 3D games, don't like shooting with a tablet, and aren't going to buy a stylus (also an expensive thing, by the way), then, of course, it's worth saving. Otherwise, and if you have the financial means, feel free to take the iPad Pro 9.7″.

It's much more difficult to choose between the two iPad Pro options. We found out that the new product is still noticeably weaker than the large iPad Pro. However, you will be able to feel this during real use no earlier than in one and a half to two years. But the difference in cameras - not in favor of the larger version - is already evident. As well as the difference in price: 19 thousand rubles with an identical amount of flash memory! Obviously, it only makes sense to overpay that kind of money if you really understand very clearly why you need big screen. In our opinion, its advantages are visible only when professional use: for example, if you are an artist, designer, architect, etc. In other cases, a 9.7″ screen is more convenient and practical. Although ultimately it's a matter of taste.

In conclusion, we suggest watching our video review iPad tablet Pro 9.7″:

P.S. For the successful update of the hardware and design of the 9.7-inch tablet without compromising its dimensions, we present the Apple iPad Pro 9.7″ with our editorial Original Design award.