iPad Pro A9X 2015

Featuring a larger display and more powerful hardware, the original iPad Pro was geared more toward professional content creation than earlier iPad models.

Both 12.9-Inch iPad Pro devices, this Wi-Fi only model and its cellular-equipped counterpart, boast an "epic" fully-laminated 12.9-inch oxide TFT touch-sensitive Retina display with 5.6 million pixels (2732x2048 at 264 ppi), a variable refresh rate, and a fingerprint-resistant, antireflective coating. It is powered by an Apple A9X processor, has 4 GB of RAM, and this model was available with 32 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB of flash storage (the 256 GB option was added on March 21, 2016). The housing comes in silver with a white front, gold with a white front, and a medium-toned "space" gray with a black front.

Other significant features include dual cameras—a rear 8-megapixel "iSight" camera for stills and 1080p video, and a front 1.2-megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera for stills and 720p video. It also has dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with HT80 with MIMO, Bluetooth 4.2, dual microphones, and two sets of stereo speakers designed to adjust automatically based on orientation.

Connectivity is handled by a Lightning port. A "Smart Connector" allows for an optional Apple Smart Keyboard (A1636, MJYR2LL/A, US$169) and third-party keyboards. Additional input is supported via an optional "Apple Pencil" (A1603, MK0C2AM/A, US$99), offering pressure-sensitive drawing and sketching.

Battery life is rated for up to 10 hours of "surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music."

This Wi-Fi Only model does not support 4G LTE connectivity or A-GPS.

The first 12.9-inch iPad Pro was a bold new direction for Apple, creating a new tier of tablet for professional users. Its most defining feature was the enormous and beautiful Retina display, which provided an unparalleled canvas for creative work and a more immersive media experience. The A9X processor delivered a significant performance boost over previous iPads, enabling smoother multitasking and the use of more demanding applications. The introduction of the Apple Pencil was a game-changer, offering artists and designers a highly precise and responsive tool for digital illustration. The four-speaker audio system also received high praise for its powerful and dynamic sound. While its sheer size made it less portable than its smaller counterparts, and some felt iOS limited its potential as a true laptop replacement, it was widely recognized as a supremely powerful and capable device that successfully established a new market for large-format professional tablets.