Typically, Apple gadgets can't survive more than a few seconds in the wild before someone takes them, cuts them open, and splays their gadget guts wide for the internet to see. But, with all the new devices Apple released last week, it's taken a few days this time, especially for the new iPad Pro (2018) and its companion Apple Pencil (2nd Generation).
Still, iFixit has is now done with the tearing down. It went for the 11-inch model:
- You're probably not planning to shuck your new Apple Pencil, so we de-cased ours in the name of science. We found an entire capacitive grid wrapped around the body. This is likely used to register tap inputs, but this grid ought to help the Pencil know where—not just when—you tap. Could more complex gestures be on the way?
- This iPad's 29.45 Wh battery is a slight downgrade from the 30.8 Wh pack in the 10.5" iPad Pro, and a lot smaller than the most recent Microsoft Surface Pro's 45 Wh battery.
- The iPad Pro 11" earns a 3 out of 10 on our repairability scale—which is still a failing grade, but moves the needle in the right direction.
Here's the logic board, including the A12X:
No huge surprises here, except keeping track of how much of the silicon is slowly moving towards Apple specifications if not complete design.
And the new Apple Pencil:
I had the chance to see an Apple Pencil opened up nice and clean back at the event and it was jam packed. If I recall correctly, it's now as dense if not denser with electronics than the AirPods.
