Oliver Haslam·

9.7-Inch iPad 2017 Vs 9.7-Inch iPad Pro [Specs Comparison]

Here’s 9.7-inch iPad 2017 Vs 9.7-inch iPad Pro 2016 head-to-head specs and features comparison between the two iPad models.

There was little fanfare involved, but Apple today updated its aging iPad lineup, and while the iPad Pro did not get the love everyone had hoped for, the iPad Air 2 has been refreshed and re-branded as the ‘9.7-inch iPad‘ and more importantly, given a price cut. By reducing the price of the tablet by $70, the full size iPad is now a more affordable option for those who needed an iPad with a display larger than what the mini range had to offer. That said, there is one other mid-size tablet option though in the iPad Pro 9.7-inch from last year, which is a great tablet indeed, so which should you buy?

The answer to that very much depends on what you want out of a tablet, and of course how much you are willing to spend. Right off the bat, the new iPad costs $329 for the base 32GB configuration while the 9.7-inch iPad Pro will cost $599. Prices obviously increase $100 per storage bump for both models, but if cost is the primary concern then the iPad is the way to go.

When it comes to capabilities though, things start to get a little more complicated, and why not, the ‘Pro’ moniker does have something to prove after all.

As is to be expected, the 9.7-inch iPad does not offer support for the Apple Pencil, and given the lack of a Smart Connector, it doesn’t support the fancy Smart Keyboard and other similar accessories either. Compared to the A9X CPU found in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, the new iPad makes use of Apple’s A9 processor.

Both devices carry the same display to a point, although the iPad Pro does boast a fully laminated display, an anti-reflection coating, support for True Tone and of course that Wide Color (P3) technology that Apple is so keen to bestow the benefits of. Resolution-wise, the displays are identical, though.

Other key differences where the new iPad misses out include the lack of an embedded Apple SIM, 2 speakers compared to 4 on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, a camera with fewer megapixels (8MP) and no support for Live Photos, not that this should be a big decision driver for most people. That said, the camera cannot capture 4K videos if that’s something you’re looking for.

As for the color options, the Rose Gold finish is exclusive to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro which gives potential 9.7-inch iPad owners the same ol’ Silver, Space Gray, and Gold colors to choose from.  Speaker grills placement aside, the two iPads are largely similar in design though the new 9.7-inch iPad is 1.4mm thicker than its higher end brother.

So with all that said, which one should you buy? That’s a question that is almost impossible to answer without knowing needs and budgets, but whichever you opt for we doubt you will be disappointed.

Check out the full comparison below for more details, and good luck with your buying decision!

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