iPad Pro teardown basically finds 2018’s iPad Pro with a lidar sensor

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As expected, iFixit has published a teardown of the 12.9-inch, 2020 iPad Pro, assessing both what’s new in the device compared to 2018 and how straightforward the device is to open up and repair. It turns out not too much has changed (which we already knew), and the Pro remains quite difficult to service.

In the video (sorry, no blog post this time, it seems), we see the various steps required to replace interior components like the screen or USB-C port that might have failed. Just about every step involves “lots of adhesive” and “precarious prying.” In fact, it’s a conundrum from the very first step, as opening up the casing will leave you trying to figure out how to detach two cables that Apple clearly didn’t intend users to be futzing with.

Unsurprisingly, iFixit gave the 2020 iPad Pro a 3 out of 10 for repairability—the same as it gave the 2018 model. That’s because for these intents and purposes, this is the same tablet as was introduced in 2018.

iFixit’s iPad Pro teardown.

iFixit found largely the same components before, including a seemingly identical battery. The important new components are, as noted in our review, 6GB of RAM in all configurations, the new lidar sensor, and (sort of) the A12Z. We say “sort of” about the chip because it appears it’s just a slightly tweaked A12X, which fits our experience when we reviewed the device. Interestingly, iFixit found that the lidar sensor projects far fewer points in a space than Face ID does, but that makes sense given that it’s meant for room-scale measurement rather than analyzing the details of someone’s face.

As we wrote in that review, the lidar sensor is fascinating in part because it might tell us something about what Apple’s priorities are and where it is headed as a company. And if you use AR apps regularly, it’s going to make a big difference in making those experiences more pleasant. That said, though, it won’t matter to most users. If you have a 2018 iPad Pro already, there’s not much reason to upgrade unless you are an AR developer or the like. But nevertheless, it’s still the fastest and generally most useful tablet out there—even if most people don’t need its pricy “Pro” features.

Listing image by iFixit

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1664299