2020 iPad Pro models feature 6GB of RAM, U1 chip across the board

Code discovered in the gold master of iOS 13.4 reveals each of Apple's new iPad Pro models, released on Wednesday, boast 6GB of RAM and the company's U1 Ultra Wideband chip, the latter of which could be used to locate rumored "AirTag" device trackers.

Code spelunking performed by 9to5Mac shows all versions of the new 2020 iPad Pro get identical 6GB allotments of system memory, 2GB more than all but the highest tier 1TB configuration of 2018's iPad Pro.

The additional RAM will assist iPad Pro's new A12Z processor chew through critical tasks and should allow more apps or browser tabs to be open simultaneously in the background.

Not much is known about Apple's A12Z processor beyond its 64-bit architecture and 8-core graphics capabilities, but Apple claims the chip outpaces most laptop PCs available today.

Beyond memory, iOS 13.4 code reveals the fourth-generation iPad Pro integrates Apple's U1 Ultra Wideband chip. The company fails to mention U1 support in documentation released today as part of the hardware announcement, but it can be assumed that the tablet will include features similar to iPhone 11.

Introduced in 2019 with iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, the U1 chip uses UWB technology for spatial awareness as it applies to other similarly equipped devices. For example, iPhone 11 can precisely determine its location relative to another nearby iPhone 11 or, as revealed today, 2020 iPad Pro.

Currently, the U1 is limited to prioritizing AirDrop recipients (accomplished by pointing an iPhone 11 to another iPhone 11 or 11 Pro), but that is expected to change in the near future. Apple is rumored to release a Tile-like tracker that is a shoo-in for UWB integration.

29 Comments

davidmalcolm 9 Years · 404 comments

About 4 years ago

Well that's good to hear since I already ordered mine! :D The only thing that my 9.7 inch iPad Pro needed really was more RAM. Part of me is bummed about the lack of A13, but if I remember from the presentation the A13 was really geared more toward power efficiency for phones they didn't get a massive performance boost out of it. I'm just really hoping this doesn't turn out to be some BS update where they release another one in the fall with an A14X that blows this one out of the water.

currentinterest 12 Years · 206 comments

davidmalcolm said:

Well that's good to hear since I already ordered mine! :D The only thing that my 9.7 inch iPad Pro needed really was more RAM. Part of me is bummed about the lack of A13, but if I remember from the presentation the A13 was really geared more toward power efficiency for phones they didn't get a massive performance boost out of it. I'm just really hoping this doesn't turn out to be some BS update where they release another one in the fall with an A14X that blows this one out of the water.

I think there is a good chance they will do just that. I am hanging on to my iPad Pro 10.5 inch until the 5G version ships.

apple ][ 13 Years · 9225 comments

I wonder how much the keyboard weighs. It seems like it should be pretty hefty to be able to hold the iPad like that.

currentinterest said:

davidmalcolm said:

Well that's good to hear since I already ordered mine! :D The only thing that my 9.7 inch iPad Pro needed really was more RAM. Part of me is bummed about the lack of A13, but if I remember from the presentation the A13 was really geared more toward power efficiency for phones they didn't get a massive performance boost out of it. I'm just really hoping this doesn't turn out to be some BS update where they release another one in the fall with an A14X that blows this one out of the water.

I think there is a good chance they will do just that. I am hanging on to my iPad Pro 10.5 inch until the 5G version ships.

Do what? Release another iPad Pro in the fall? Nah, fat chance.

There might be a release of a regular iPad and/or iPad Air sometime later this year, but it wont be the Pro.

AniMill 4 Years · 193 comments

Totally gonna get that new keyboard. One question though, what’s happened to the Magic Connector on the iPad? Has it been deprecated, eliminated? Does the new keyboard get power or power the iPad? I see the USB-C port, so I’m guessing no connection to the iPad. Bummer.