Design and Build

The iPad Pro 1 (2015), which is available in a 12.9-inch model, is equipped with rounded edges and a premium aluminum body. Its dimensions are 12.0 x 8.68 x 0.27 inches (305.7 x 220.6 x 6.9 mm) and a weight of 1.57 pounds (713g Wi-Fi, 723g Cellular). The device is available in three colours: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold. Additionally, the iPad Pro 1 has a Home button with the Touch ID sensor (no Face ID) and is compatible with the 1st-gen Apple Pencil (Lightning connector) and Smart Keyboard.

• Aluminum chassis with rounded edges
• Touch ID, Home button
• Lightning port (USB 2.0)
• Supports 1st-gen Apple Pencil, Smart Keyboard
• No water/dust resistance

iPad Pro 1 Display

First and foremost, the original specifications of the Apple iPad Pro 1 should be highlighted, particularly the revolutionary display product. The iPad Pro 1's Retina IPS LCD display comes with a whopping 12.9-inch screen (2732 x 2048, 264 PPI) that is able to render 60 Hz with True Tone, and sRGB color capabilities. It has a brightness of 400 nits (estimated) and has an anti-reflective layer for 1st-gen Apple Pencil. Although the screen is bright and detailed enough to allow it for many different creative tasks, a significant share of the professionals misses the technology of ProMotion and the HDR that it disregards. Users have been efficient and productive with it because it has a relatively large size when it comes to productivity, but some of them have complained that the rather lower brightness of the screen makes it restricted when it is for outdoor usage. The glass is resistant to fingerprints (oleophobic), but certain customers noticed the absence of the anti-reflective layer.

• 12.9-inch: Retina IPS LCD, 60Hz
• Resolution: 2732 x 2048, 264 PPI
• Brightness: ~400 nits
• True Tone, sRGB color
• Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating

Performance and Software

The 1st generation of iPad Pro has the Apple A9X chip (2-core CPU, 12-core GPU) at its core. It is offered with 4GB RAM and storage choices from 32GB, 128GB to 256GB (up to $1079). iOS 9 is the operating system that it comes with (now it is possible to upgrade it to iPadOS 15), and it is a platform where multitasking modes are available just like split-screen multitasking. However, the Apple Intelligence and the Stage Manager are the functions missing from it.

• Apple A9X chip, 2-core CPU, 12-core GPU
• 4GB RAM
• Storage: 32GB, 128GB, 256GB
• iOS 9 (up to iPadOS 15)
• No Apple Intelligence support

The A9X delivers solid tablet performance for its era, but iOS constraints and limited updates hinder its longevity.

Camera System

The single 8MP rear camera (f/2.4, 1080p video) without ultra-wide or LiDAR is the camera of the iPad Pro 1. The front camera has a resolution of 1.2MP (f/2.2) and supports video calls at 720p. Center Stage and Smart HDR are not features of the device. The cameras are simply designed, and they are ok for such tasks as scanning and making video calls to friends, but they are not good enough to overcome the darkness. In general, the users are satisfied with the strong productivity of this set of cameras, though they do not use it for photography due to the small size of the device.

• Rear: 8MP (f/2.4)
• Front: 1.2MP (f/2.2)
• Video: 1080p 30fps (rear), 720p 30fps (front)
• Features: Basic HDR

Battery and Charging

The iPad Pro 1 is powered by a battery with a capacity of 10307mAh, which is guaranteed to last between the range of about 8-10 hours for every video playback/10 hours being the result of the video longer than reading it/ and 9 hours of real-world use with normal brightness and a battery saver turned on. The battery can be charged with a 12W charger from Lightning connectivity and the battery can be full in only about 4 hours. It does not offer quick or wireless charging. No matter the endurance, it’s still trailing as compared to other smaller iPads. Users have confirmed the device’s great productivity potential, although, rapid battery drainage has been experienced during heavy tasks.

• Battery: 10307mAh
• Video playback: ~10h
• Real-world: 8–9h
• 12W wired charging
• 12W Lightning charger included

Connectivity

The Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.2, and optional 4G LTE on cellular models (at least $929) are the types of connectivity that the iPad Pro 1 supports. It comes with a nano-SIM and GPS (A-GPS on cellular). The data transfer rate is limited due to the use of the Lightning port. When it comes to the year 2015, the connectivity is reliable, and the user also reports that the Wi-Fi is still good. However, the Wi-Fi 6 or 5G standards are not met, and the data transfer speed remains lower than the new generation of devices. The Wi-Fi and cellular are both stable to use, but the speeds are slow in comparison to the latest mobile gadgets, according to the feedback from users.

• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
• Bluetooth 4.2
• 4G LTE (cellular models)
• Nano-SIM
• GPS: A-GPS (cellular)
• Lightning port

Pricing and Availability

Launched at $799 (32GB Wi-Fi), the iPad Pro 1 began pre-orders on November 11, 2015, with sales starting November 25, 2015, via Apple and retailers. Cellular models add $130. Storage options reach 256GB ($1079). Discontinued in June 2017, it’s available refurbished for $200–$400. The iPad Pro 2 offers better performance, but the Pro 1 remains viable for basic tasks at low prices.