iPad Pro Evolution: A Decade of Technolo

iPad Pro Evolution: A Decade of Technological Leap from A9X to M4 Chip

Since its debut in 2015, the iPad Pro has undergone nearly ten years of innovation, evolving from a "large-screen tablet" into a powerful productivity device capable of rivaling traditional laptops. With consistently leading hardware performance and a constantly improving ecosystem, the iPad Pro has not only redefined the boundaries of tablets but also witnessed Apple's comprehensive transition from mobile chips to its self-developed M-series processors.

Today, let's take a journey through the six generations of iPad Pro development and explore how it evolved from the initial A9X chip to the cutting-edge M4, becoming a benchmark in mobile computing.

First Generation: 2015–2016, The Birth of the Pro Era

In 2015, Apple launched the first iPad Pro with a 12.9-inch display, powered by the A9X chip. At the time, this chip delivered what could be described as "overwhelming performance"—Apple claimed its CPU outperformed most contemporary laptop processors. The A9X enabled smooth performance in demanding applications, 3D gaming, and video editing, establishing the iPad Pro as a "professional-grade" device.

In 2016, Apple introduced a 9.7-inch iPad Pro, also equipped with the A9X chip. Its smaller size and improved portability allowed more users to experience Pro-level performance.

Despite retaining the Home button and thick bezels, this generation introduced support for the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, laying the foundation for a future productivity ecosystem.

Second Generation: 2017, The Revolution in Smoothness

In 2017, Apple released the 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models powered by the A10X Fusion chip, bringing performance to the next level. The most notable upgrade was the introduction of ProMotion technology, featuring an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that made scrolling, drawing, and touch interactions incredibly smooth.

This generation also enhanced color management and audio, with a quad-speaker setup delivering immersive sound. While the design remained largely unchanged, the 120Hz display solidified the iPad Pro's status as the preferred tool for artists and creative professionals.

Third Generation: 2018, The Era of the Full-Screen Design

In 2018, Apple completely redesigned the iPad Pro: the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models adopted a full-screen design, eliminating the Home button and introducing Face ID facial recognition. The device became thinner and lighter, with significantly reduced bezels and a much higher screen-to-body ratio.

The core upgrade was the A12X Bionic chip, built on a 7nm process. Its performance even surpassed some Intel i7-powered laptops at the time. The A12X supported 4K external display output and, combined with the second-generation Apple Pencil (featuring magnetic charging) and Smart Keyboard Folio, further enhanced its productivity capabilities.

Additionally, this generation introduced the USB-C port for the first time, enabling connections to cameras, external displays, and high-speed peripherals—marking a major step toward professional workflows.

Fourth Generation: 2020, Built for Professional Creation

In 2020, the fourth-generation iPad Pro (11 and 12.9 inches) continued using the A12Z Bionic chip. Although similar to the A12X, it activated all GPU cores, delivering stronger graphics performance ideal for 4K video editing, 3D modeling, and augmented reality (AR) applications.

A new addition was the LiDAR scanner, which greatly improved depth sensing in AR environments, opening up new possibilities in architecture, design, and education. The cellular version also added 5G support, enabling faster mobile connectivity.

While the design remained similar to the previous generation, internal thermal management was improved to maintain high performance over extended use. At this point, the iPad Pro could seamlessly run professional software like Final Cut Pro, Procreate, and Shapr3D, earning its title as a "mobile workstation."

Fifth Generation: 2021, The Game-Changing M1 Chip

In 2021, the iPad Pro underwent a historic upgrade: it adopted the M1 chip—the same chip used in Mac computers. Built on a 5nm process, the M1 features an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Compared to the original A9X, CPU performance improved by over 70 times, and graphics performance surged by more than 1,200 times.

The M1 not only delivered exceptional performance but also significantly improved energy efficiency, allowing the iPad Pro to maintain all-day battery life without a fan. It also introduced the Thunderbolt port, supporting data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps and enabling connection to external displays with up to 6K resolution.

This generation marked the iPad Pro's official entry into the "computer-like" era, blurring the line between tablets and laptops.

Sixth Generation: 2022–2024, M2 and M4 Leading the AI Revolution

In 2022, Apple released the iPad Pro with the M2 chip, building on the M1's architecture with modest performance improvements and better energy efficiency, supporting more peripherals and complex multitasking.

The real leap came in 2024, when Apple unveiled the M4 chip-powered iPad Pro. Built on a second-generation 3nm process, the M4 delivers a 50% improvement in CPU performance. Its GPU features dynamic caching technology and supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Most notably, the Neural Engine achieves an astonishing 38 trillion operations per second, providing powerful support for AI and machine learning tasks.

The new iPad Pro also features a redesigned aluminum enclosure, making it lighter and stronger, paired with an ultra-thin OLED display (on the 12.9-inch model), elevating the visual experience to new heights.

Conclusion: The Transformation from Tablet to Productivity Powerhouse

From the A9X in 2015 to the AI-powered M4 in 2024, every step in the iPad Pro's evolution represents the pinnacle of mobile computing. It is no longer just a "large iPad"—it has become a versatile device capable of creation, design, programming, and video production.

As iPadOS continues to improve in multitasking, peripheral support, and professional applications, the iPad Pro may increasingly challenge the dominance of traditional laptops. And its story is far from over—it continues to be written with every innovation.