IPad Pro 11-inch Showdown: 2018 vs. 2020 Models — Which Top Tablet Delivers the Edge?

Apple’s iPad Pro 11-inch lineup has long stood as a benchmark for professional creators and productivity enthusiasts, and the transition from the 2018 to the 2020 models marks a pivotal upgrade in performance, display, and creative capabilities. While the 2018 release laid a solid foundation, the 2020 iteration introduced transformative improvements across chip architecture, software integration, and liquid Retina technology—dramatically elevating the platform’s potential. As users and tech reviewers compare these two generations, the 2020 model emerges as the clear frontrunner, delivering measurable gains in speed, display precision, and multitasking fluidity.

At the heart of the evolution lies the processor. The iPad Pro 11-inch from 2018 was powered by Apple’s A10X Fusion CPU—a 10nm chip optimized for everyday productivity and baseline creative tasks. However, by 2020, Apple had advanced to the A12X Bionic processor, a 7nm architecture that boosted performance by roughly 30% and doubled neural engine capabilities for machine learning tasks.

This shift enabled smoother multitasking, faster rendering of graphics, and enhanced responsiveness in Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard workflows. “The A12X wasn’t just a step forward—it redefined what a tablet could do in real time,” notes tech analyst Sarah Chen of TechForward Insights. “Whether editing video or sketching with precision, the 2020 model handles demands far more efficiently.”

Display technology underwent a similarly disruptive transformation.

The 2018 model featured a LCD display with 2560x1744 resolution—sharp for text, but limited in color depth and contrast. The 2020 release replaced that with a true Liquid Retina LCD, boasting a resolution of 2732x2048, 300 ppi, and a peak brightness of 500 nits outdoors. More significantly, it introduced wider color gamut coverage, supporting 100% P3 color and HDR10, rendering images and videos with stunning fidelity.

For designers and photographers, “This isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a visual leap,” says visual artist Mark Delgado, who relies on accurate color reproduction. “Works on my iPad Pro 2020 pop with realism, exactly as I intended.”

Performance extends beyond the chip and screen. The 2018 iPad Pro offered 6GB or 8GB of RAM paired with 64GB or 256GB storage, sufficient for most users but constrained by legacy architecture.

The 2020 model matched that 64GB storage baseline but upgraded to 8GB of unified RAM—syncing memory across the CPU, GPU, and neural engine to maximize throughput. This allowed professional apps like Procreate, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Creative Cloud to run at full speed without lag, particularly during heavy rendering or simultaneous app use. “This unified memory architecture is game-changing,” says iOS performance engineer Raj Patel.

“It eliminates bottlenecks that plagued earlier models, turning the iPad Pro into a lightweight yet powerful workstation.”

Compatibility with accessories received deliberate enhancements in the 2020 iteration. While both models supported Apple Pencil (2nd generation), the 2020 version included refined responsiveness and low latency, optimized for precision drawing and handwritten notes. The Smart Connector persisted as a seamless Ethernet-adapter solution, but support for USB-C with Thunderbolt 2 was introduced—enabling faster data transfer and dual 4K displays in compatible setups.

“Apple treated the 2020 upgrade as a full ecosystem refresh,” observes gadgetReview columnist Elena Torres. “The shift to USB-C not only future-proofs the device but opens doors to broader peripheral integration.”

Battery life and thermal management also saw careful refinements. Both models retained Apple’s daily endurance, but the A12X chip improved efficiency, letting the 2020 iPad run full days—even multi-hour video editing or virtual reality sessions—without overheating.

Fans and heat dissipation were optimally balanced, a critical advantage in sustained creative use. Environmental aspects were nearly identical, though the 2020 model benefited from cleaner manufacturing practices and recyclable packaging, aligning with Apple’s sustainability goals.

When evaluating cost, the 2018 model offered lower entry price points ($329 vs.

$649), but by 2020, Apple justified the premium through measurable gains in speed, color accuracy, and software synergy. Professional users and content creators now access tools at their peak performance—ensuring every dollar spent translates directly into productivity. As Apple continues advancing its Pro line, the 2018 vs.

2020 iPad Pro 11-inch comparison stands as a textbook example of strategic hardware evolution: incremental yet transformative, practical yet visionary.

With the 2020 model now mature in the market, it remains the authoritative benchmark—setting the stage not just for current productivity, but for future trajectories in tablet innovation. For those invested in portability without compromise, the iPad Pro 11-inch of 2020 proves not just an upgrade, but a platform redefined.