Refurbished iPad Pro – Pro Performance at a Budget Price (Updated 2023)

Apple introduces new devices in its range of flagship iPads and iPhones each year. This increases the variety of available devices, which means that you can now get an older device for much cheaper since all the hype surrounding it has died down. This means investing in a refurbished iPad Pro is the smarter way to get the performance of Apple, the undisputed productivity champion. It’s okay to want a new device, but the hassle of following up with trends could put a massive dent in your pockets, especially if your needs don’t take full advantage of the new device’s power. 

The biggest reason to get a cheap iPad Pro in Australia is that in contrast to second-hand devices that you buy directly from a person or shop, refurbs go through the same standards as new devices. They are checked over by the same engineers who make them and the faulty parts replaced and tested rigorously to guarantee performance. Literally, you are getting a new device in old cladding hence why they come with a full warranty and support—just like new devices. The reason refurbs are affordable is because of depreciation. It does not mean that the device is terrible. Cheap iPads in Australia hold their values exceptionally well compared to other brands, and the fact that you get it after the initial depreciation has gone by makes it an unmissable deal.

Since they were first released in 2015, Apple’s range of iPad pros has grown not only in performance but also in variety. If you are in the market for an Apple refurbished iPad Pro, read on to find out the specs of each rendition and to understand why they make sense as refurbs.

iPad Pro 12.9'' First Generation (1st, 12.9'')

The 12.9inch first-generation iPad Pro pushed the envelope for what tablets could do. Up to this point, tablets were almost an afterthought without eye-catching performance numbers, and most of them were just about the screens. True, the massive 12.9-inch iPad was no exception, but it owned its big persona with matching performance. It could deliver a dependable 10 hours screen on time on its battery and took advantage of the screen real estate to offer split-screen functionality, features that were exclusive to laptops at the time. It was the first iPad to come with the Apple Pencil, hence the reason gained popularity among people who needed big screens to sketch.

iPad Pro 9.7" First Generation (1st, 9.7")

The 1^st Gen 9.7-inch iPad pro came after the release of the 12.9-inch variant. It is a shrunken version of the bigger machine but with a better screen and camera. This TrueTone display was crisper and more vibrant and was the CenterStage of this release. If you find the 12.9 inches a bit big and clumsy, then you will love this iPad compact pocket rocket form factor. It comes with the Apple Pencil support, quad-stereos sound speakers, and external keyboard support. This revamp also featured a refreshing 12 MP camera update that can shoot 4K video. It was more future-ready of the two and kind of set the tone for future iPads.

iPad Pro (2nd, 10.5''/12.9'')

For the second iteration, Apple released two versions, a 10.5-inch and a 12.9-inch version in 2017. They came with an even better screen, improved performance, and better cameras to make your pictures look their best. This was the first time Apple introduced tablet-focused updates and looking at it, they were well worth it. For example, battery performance was optimized to take it further beyond the reach of laptops, and the pencil and keyboards became even faster. It came with iPadOS instead of using iOS, and this refresh makes working on this machine a breeze.

With the same release came the 10.5-inch iPad pro, which took advantage of the impressive A10X chip to deliver mind-bending performance for a tablet. It was the first time a tablet could outperform some laptops, and perhaps it was the precursor to Apple’s own Silicon laptops. This iPad made multitasking look simplistic thanks to its 12-core GPU and hexa-core CPU. The build is very solid, using high-quality materials for the body and screen, making it an all-around great machine if you were to purchase it as a refurb.

iPad Pro 3^rd Generation (11"/12.9")

When it was time to shrink bezels, Apple put the third-generation iPad Pro on a real diet. Both the 11-inch and Apple iPad Pro 12.9 3rd gen 512gb boasted impressive displays with an outstanding screen-to-body ratio. This radical redesign means some new firsts for the iPad Pro. For example, the home button with TouchID was gone and replaced with FaceID, which works even if you use the phone in any orientation. The performance improved drastically with firepower coming from the A12X Bionic chip, which again was faster than a regular Core i7 laptop. This means that no app optimized for iPadOS or iOS can crash. We doubt you can sweat this machine with regular tasks. You will be happy to know that this chip is lenient on power giving the ultimate balance of performance and power consumption. What’s better is Apple finally changed the iPad to use the universal USB-C for charging and data. If you were to get this as a refurb, we doubt you will need to get an entry or even mid-level laptop.

iPad Pro 4^th Generation (11"/12.9"))

If you thought Apple was stopping at the updates on the 3^rd generation, think again. In 2020, the iPad pro received yet another update, only this time it was more about the internals. Some of the new technology that came to this iPad include replacing the already fast processor with another blazing fast chip. This chip made it easier to take advantage of the ProMotion 120Hz and TrueTone display with reduced demands on the battery. RAM is standardized at 6GB for both models. If you need a tablet for regular tasks, you can barely scratch the top layer of what the A12X chip is capable of, but as a future-proof machine, this tablet can serve you well into the future—especially if you get it as a bargain refurbished device.

iPad Pro 5^th Generation (11"/12.9"))

After the design refresh in 2018, Apple again made some major changes with it's new iPad pro launched in 2021. Apple gave the consumers what they really wanted with the Apple M1 chipset that powers the Macbooks. Apple didn't stop at this, after this major performace boost it also equipped the iPad Pro fifth-gen with 120Hz HDR 10 display for super smooth animations which is great for movie watching or color grading for video or photo editors. The type-c port was also upgraded to the Thunderbolt 4 so you can connect your Apple Pro Display XDR to get more work done thanks to the new iPadOs beside it.

Conclusion

iPad pros are at the top of Apple’s tablet hierarchy for a reason. Nothing is spared in making them the ultimate tablets both in terms of performance and usability. That said, for simple tasks, even the first-generation iPad Pro will perform impressively. Therefore, if you need a high-performance tablet, then the iPad Pro is the one. Likewise, since it is a flagship, the prices may tend to be on the extreme, so why not get a second hand iPad Pro instead.