iPad Pro 9.7 Review: A gorgeous device that you probably shouldn't buy

At first look, the iPad Pro is most certainly a thing of beauty, albeit slightly marred by it being Rose Gold. I don’t know when that became the official colour mascot for prestige, but in my opinion it was never flattering to begin with. Aside from that however, it’s certainly a very sleek device. Despite housing a 9.7-inch display, the iPad Pro feels light in your hands, although you still wouldn’t want to be dropping this on your face while browsing in bed. Smooth, brushed metal casing, rounded corners and bevelled edges all make for a wonderfully delicate sensation against your fingers. Thankfully, the cases available seem to share that tactile quality, so you’re not trading safety for comfort.

Power it on and you’re met with a positively glowing interface. The display is great, there’s not a bad thing I can say about it. It’s bright at it’s brightest, suitably subdued when turned down. In addition, there’s the new Night shift mode, that inches your display toward a reddish hue later in the day, so it’s easier to get to bed even just after using the tablet. I didn’t have much use for it myself, but the coloration is definitely discernible once you turn the option on. But it’s with the new wider colour gamut and the improved anti-reflective coating that the display really makes it’s mark.

And while the sound on the iPad is nothing to write home about, there’s no problems there either. Four speakers means the iPad automatically orients to the top two no matter how you turn the device. Unfortunately, those highs end up not being the clearest I’ve heard. I could be nitpicking here, but I do feel like, with the price paid for an iPad Pro and the marketing hype behind it, I should be getting more than just “good”. I expect more but it feels like this device falls just a little short

The camera meanwhile is phenomenal. It’s a stellar performer even under low-light conditions, but the main draw is in the photo modes. The Slow-Mo is a ball of fun to mess around with, and believe me I did. Likewise, I had Live Photos on the entire time I was testing, and I was so much the happier for it. Aside from those few extra photo moments tacked on, which sometimes make for hilarious images, it’s a great way to make sure you get the best shot. Unfortunately, that brings me back once again to Apple’s penchant for the low-end model having abysmal storage. 32GB of internal storage on a tablet is fine, if it has expandable memory, which the iPad Pro does not. It’s even worse when you have a feature like Live Photos which is a huge memory sink. And with a feature like that available, of course you’d want to use it right?

Moving on, I have to say it doesn’t really make sense talking about performance on the iPad Pro, seeing as every iPad is made by the same company. So instead, I’m going to talk about perks vs pains.



There are a number of accessories you can buy for the iPad Pro. In theory, the Smart Keyboard is a great add-on for the iPad but, compared to a few bluetooth keyboards on the market, it’s expensive and strangely enough not as comfortable. Sure, being able to set the tablet down and type is great, but the truth is not everyone who buys an iPad will even have need of the keyboard. You’re going to want it if (A) you take frequent business trips, (B) have a habit of working with free coffee shop WiFi on the weekends, or (C) you’re a journalist. But when I tried the keyboard for myself, it felt too constraining. I don’t mean the keyboard was too small, it’s of course limited by the 9.7-inch size of the tablet, I mean each key occupied too small an area, with too much wasted real estate in between. And if the keyboard is not comfortable for prolonged use, then it’s really of no use to anyone, especially not for Rs 13,900.

Then comes the famously ridiculed Apple Pencil and, oddly enough, this is my favourite Apple accessory. I couldn’t draw a decent picture for you if everlasting world peace depended on it, but I can definitely appreciate how the technology works, giving you options of lines, strokes, and even shading, depend on how you hold the Pencil. Unfortunately, again, this isn’t something you really need. Yes, sketching beautiful digital art probably sounds amazing, but you’re only going to do that over a long period of time if that’s part of your day job, or it’s a hobby you’re extremely passionate about. And that’s a very niche audience once again. But let’s ignore that, and say you’re one of those people that would actually make use of the Pencil. The problem is, it’s an optional purchase and not a necessary part. As a result, if you buy the Pencil, you now have nowhere to put it; there’s no slot on the iPad to store it. And if you intend to carry it around in your purse or pocket, you know that it’s only a matter time before you lose it, break it, or cover it with grime. And once again, is this something you’re willing to pay Rs 8,000 for?

When all is said and done, the iPad Pro 9.7 is a spectacular device. It has its flaws, but so does any other tablet, and the iPad definitely comes out ahead with all the great features it has to offer. My problem with it then is the price point. Yes, some of you are willing to shell out Rs 85,900 for one. But just because you can, or you want to, doesn’t really mean it’s a good idea. There’s definitely a good reason so many tech websites are putting the iPad Pro 9.7 at the top of the best tablet list for this year. But is it the best tablet for YOU? That’s doubtful, and I’ll tell you why.

If you just want the tablet, that’s “just” Rs 85,900. But if you’re buying such an expensive device, it’s got to last through your clumsiness right? So tack on another 5,200 for the Apple iPad case. That’s already a total of Rs 91,100 for just a tablet and case. But what about the smart keyboard and Apple Pencil? If you don’t get those accessories, which are touted as two of the major sell points for the tablet, then why are you buying a tablet that expensive? So go ahead, tack on Rs 13,900 for the keyboard, and another Rs 8,000 for the Pencil. That takes you to a whopping Rs 1,13,000. Let me tell you, that is not a price to pay for a secondary device. I reiterate, if you intend to use this device in your profession as a graphics designer or what not, then it’s absolutely the perfect choice. If that’s not the case, then you’re wasting your money. You don’t need the Pencil, you likely won’t need the keyboard, and you would probably do just fine without the iPad itself.