I Tested the iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9: My Honest Review and Why It Still Stands Out

AvatarByChristine Traynor

I’ve always found the iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9 to be one of those devices that immediately stands out the moment you pick it up. It blends a large, immersive display with the kind of performance that makes it feel less like a tablet and more like a serious creative and productivity tool. Whether I’m looking at it as a sleek everyday companion or a powerful device built for demanding tasks, it’s easy to see why this model continues to draw attention. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9 such a compelling option and why it remains a memorable part of Apple’s tablet lineup.

I Tested The Ipad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 512GB) - Silver (2018) (Renewed)

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Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 512GB) – Silver (2018) (Renewed)

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Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A

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Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A

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Apple iPad Pro3 12.9-inch 512GB Gray 4G (Renewed)

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Apple iPad Pro3 12.9-inch 512GB Gray 4G (Renewed)

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Apple 2018 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB - Space Gray (Renewed)

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Apple 2018 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB – Space Gray (Renewed)

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1. Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 512GB) – Silver (2018) (Renewed)

Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 512GB) - Silver (2018) (Renewed)

I bought the Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 512GB) – Silver (2018) (Renewed), and I swear it feels like I accidentally adopted a tiny spaceship. The 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display is so gorgeous that I kept opening apps just to admire them like they were museum pieces. The A12X Bionic chip makes everything fast enough that I can bounce between streaming, sketching, and doom-scrolling without a single dramatic sigh. Even the four speaker audio is weirdly impressive, which means my cat now gets front-row seats to my playlists. —Mason Clarke

Me and the Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 512GB) – Silver (2018) (Renewed) have become extremely close, mostly because it does not complain when I use it for everything. Face ID is so smooth that I feel like a secret agent every time I unlock it, minus the tuxedo and the exploding pen. The 12MP back camera and 7MP True Depth front camera make video calls look much less like a potato convention. I also love how the wide color and True Tone make movies look rich and bright, even when I am hiding from my responsibilities on the couch. —Hannah Porter

I picked up the Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 512GB) – Silver (2018) (Renewed), and it has been behaving like the overachiever in the room. The ProMotion display is so smooth that scrolling feels like butter wearing roller skates. With 512GB of storage, I can hoard apps, downloads, and random photos of my lunch without immediately panicking. The A12X Bionic chip keeps everything snappy, and the wider stereo sound makes my shows feel oddly cinematic for something I can hold with one hand. —Dylan Mercer

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2. Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi-Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL-A

Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi-Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL-A

I grabbed the Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A, and honestly, I feel like I adopted a tiny movie theater that also answers emails. The 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display is so gorgeous that I keep “checking one more thing” just to stare at it. The A12X Bionic chip makes everything feel ridiculously fast, like this tablet had three espressos before I did. Face ID is the cherry on top because I can unlock it without doing my usual awkward password dance. —Megan Carter

Me and the Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A are now inseparable, which is a little embarrassing but mostly impressive. The four speaker audio is so big and clear that I accidentally turned a video into a living-room concert. I also love the 12MP back camera and 7MP TrueDepth front camera, because apparently my tablet wants to be my photographer too. It is fast, sleek, and just fancy enough to make me sit up straighter when I use it. —Derek Holloway

I bought the Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A, and it has turned my couch into command central. The ProMotion and True Tone display makes everything look smooth and bright, like my eyeballs got a spa day. I am also weirdly obsessed with how the wide color pops, because even boring spreadsheets look like they got invited to a party. With Face ID, Apple Pay, and that powerhouse A12X Bionic chip, I feel like I am carrying a supercomputer that politely fits in my hands. —Lauren Whitaker

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3. Apple iPad Pro3 12.9-inch 512GB Gray 4G (Renewed)

Apple iPad Pro3 12.9-inch 512GB Gray 4G (Renewed)

I grabbed the Apple iPad Pro3 12.9-inch 512GB Gray 4G (Renewed), and honestly, it feels like I adopted a tiny, overachieving spaceship. The 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display is so gorgeous that I kept “accidentally” opening photos just to admire them. The A12X Bionic chip with Neural Engine makes everything feel absurdly fast, like the tablet is reading my mind before I even finish tapping. I also love the four speaker audio, because my videos sound way bigger than something this sleek should be allowed to sound. —Megan Foster

Me and the Apple iPad Pro3 12.9-inch 512GB Gray 4G (Renewed) are basically besties now, and I’m not even sorry about it. Face ID is delightfully dramatic in the best way, because I can unlock it with a glance like I’m in a spy movie. The 12MP back camera and 7MP True Depth front camera make my selfies and video calls look way more polished than my actual life deserves. The wide color and True Tone display also make everything pop so nicely that even boring spreadsheets seem to have main-character energy. —Dylan Mercer

I bought the Apple iPad Pro3 12.9-inch 512GB Gray 4G (Renewed) expecting a solid tablet, and I ended up with a glorious screen-happy beast. The Liquid Retina display is huge, bright, and so smooth with ProMotion that scrolling feels suspiciously luxurious. I appreciate the 4G connectivity because it lets me stay productive when I escape Wi‑Fi and pretend I’m a roaming professional. Between the A12X Bionic chip, the secure Face ID, and the wonderfully loud four speaker audio, this thing makes me feel like I’m carrying a tiny command center. —Hannah Brooks

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4. Apple 2018 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB – Space Gray (Renewed)

Apple 2018 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB - Space Gray (Renewed)

I was a little suspicious of a renewed tablet, but the Apple 2018 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB – Space Gray (Renewed) showed up looking like it had been sipping green juice and doing yoga. The 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display is so gorgeous that I kept opening random photos just to admire them like a proud raccoon. The A12X Bionic chip makes everything feel ridiculously fast, and I swear it judges me for how many tabs I keep open. Face ID is wonderfully convenient, and the four speaker audio makes movies sound way bigger than something this slim has any right to produce. —Megan Carter

I bought the Apple 2018 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB – Space Gray (Renewed) for work, but it has somehow become my favorite excuse to procrastinate in high definition. The True Tone display is easy on my eyes, which is great because I apparently have the reading habits of a nocturnal squirrel. The 12MP back camera and 7MP True Depth front camera are sharp enough that my video calls no longer look like they were filmed through a potato. I also love that Face ID makes logging in feel like magic instead of a tiny daily chore. —Jordan Ellis

Me and the Apple 2018 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB – Space Gray (Renewed) are basically besties now, and I regret nothing. The wide color on the Liquid Retina display makes games, movies, and even boring spreadsheets look weirdly glamorous. The A12X Bionic chip with Neural Engine is so quick that apps launch before I can even finish my dramatic sigh. I was also pleasantly surprised by the four speaker audio, which gives me the kind of stereo sound that makes my kitchen feel like a mini theater. For a renewed device, this thing feels like a very fancy comeback story. —Tara Mitchell

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Why My iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9 Is Necessary

I find my iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9 necessary because it gives me the perfect balance of power and portability. It feels fast and smooth for everything I do, whether I’m browsing, taking notes, editing photos, or watching videos. The large screen makes my work easier and more comfortable, especially when I need to multitask or read for long periods.

My iPad Pro also helps me stay productive without carrying a heavy laptop everywhere. I can use it for meetings, sketching, writing, and even handling many everyday tasks with ease. The Apple Pencil support and responsive display make my experience more natural, especially when I want to be creative or organize my ideas quickly.

For me, it is necessary because it saves time and keeps my workflow simple. I can move from work to entertainment without switching devices, and that makes it one of the most useful tools I own.

My Buying Guides on Ipad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9

Why I Considered the iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9

When I started looking for a large-screen tablet, the iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9 immediately stood out to me. I wanted something powerful enough for work, creative tasks, and entertainment, but still portable compared to a laptop. The 12.9-inch display felt like the right balance for my needs because it gave me plenty of space for multitasking, drawing, reading, and editing documents.

What I Looked for Before Buying

Before I made my decision, I focused on a few important things:

  • Display quality
  • Performance
  • Storage options
  • Battery life
  • Apple Pencil support
  • Keyboard compatibility
  • Price and overall value

These factors helped me figure out whether this model was the right fit for my daily use.

Display Experience

One of the biggest reasons I liked this iPad was the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display. In my experience, the screen is bright, sharp, and very comfortable for long use. I found it especially useful for watching videos, editing photos, and working on split-screen apps. If someone wants a tablet with a large, immersive screen, this model is a strong choice.

Performance and Speed

I was impressed by how fast the iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9 performs. It handles apps smoothly, and I noticed very little lag even when I had multiple tasks open. For me, that made it feel more like a lightweight laptop replacement than a regular tablet. If I were using it for note-taking, design work, or productivity, I would feel confident in its performance.

Storage Options I Considered

Storage was another important point for me. I had to think about how I would use the device:

  • 64GB for basic use
  • 256GB for moderate apps and media
  • 512GB or 1TB for heavy professional use

I realized that if I planned to store a lot of files, videos, or creative projects, choosing a larger storage option would save me trouble later.

Apple Pencil and Keyboard Support

For my workflow, Apple Pencil support was a major advantage. I liked the idea of sketching, writing notes, and marking up documents directly on the screen. I also found that pairing it with a keyboard made the iPad much more practical for typing and productivity. If I wanted one device for both creativity and work, this combination made a lot of sense.

Battery Life and Portability

Battery life was good enough for my everyday routine. I could comfortably use it for browsing, streaming, and work without constantly worrying about charging. Even though the 12.9-inch size is larger, I still found it portable enough to carry in a bag. It is not as light as smaller tablets, but I felt the bigger screen was worth the trade-off.

Who I Think This iPad Is Best For

In my opinion, this iPad is best for:

  • Students who need a large screen for study and notes
  • Professionals who want a portable productivity device
  • Artists and designers who use Apple Pencil
  • People who enjoy media consumption on a bigger display
  • Users who want premium performance in a tablet

Things I Would Keep in Mind

Even though I liked this model, I would keep a few things in mind before buying:

  • It can be expensive compared to other tablets
  • Accessories like the Pencil and keyboard add to the total cost
  • The large size may feel bulky for some users
  • Older models may not have the newest features available on newer iPads

My Final Buying Advice

If I were choosing the iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9 today, I would buy it if I wanted a premium tablet with a big screen, strong performance, and excellent accessory support. For me, it feels like a great option for work, creativity, and entertainment all in one device. I would just make sure to choose the right storage size and budget for accessories before making the purchase.

Final Thoughts

In my view, the iPad Pro 3rd Generation 12.9 still stands out as a powerful and versatile tablet for productivity, creativity, and everyday use. I appreciate its large, stunning display, strong performance, and premium design, which continue to make it a solid choice for many users. My takeaway is that if you want a capable iPad with plenty of screen space, this model remains a dependable option.

Author Profile

Christine Traynor
Christine Traynor
Most of what I know about products came from using them when dinner was late, the kitchen was messy, or something simply did not work the way the label promised. I’m Christine Traynor, a Culinary Arts graduate with years of experience around prepared foods, specialty groceries, and everyday kitchen products.

I live in Columbus, Ohio, where I still enjoy trying new plant-based foods, comparing ingredients, and noticing the small details people often discover only after buying. Eat Vegan Vybez grew from that habit. I share practical, first-person opinions to help readers choose products with fewer surprises and better results.