Apple iPad Pro 12.9" '1 Gold 2015

The original 12.9-inch iPad Pro still has a gorgeous display and Apple Pencil support, and renewed units can be found for as low as $259. But the 1900mAh battery is one of the worst we've seen, and the old iOS software limits what you can do. It's a good buy for artists on a budget who want a big drawing surface. Everyone else should look at newer tablets.

The A9X chip was a monster when it launched. It's a 2-core 64-bit processor that Apple marketed as desktop-class, and for 2015, that wasn't just marketing. In our database, the CPU lands at the 64th percentile among all tablets, which is solid for a device this old. It'll handle web browsing, email, streaming, and even some light photo editing without falling over. The 4GB of RAM is the bigger limitation. That puts it at the 31st percentile, which means modern apps and multitasking will feel cramped. iOS on this device doesn't have the same multitasking chops as newer iPadOS versions, so you're mostly running one app at a time anyway.

The display is where this thing still shines. The 2732x2048 resolution on a 12.9-inch panel works out to 264 pixels per inch, and it's a Liquid Retina display with an anti-reflective coating. Our screen score puts it at the 88th percentile, which means it's still one of the better tablet displays you can buy, especially at this price. Colors are accurate, text is sharp, and the size makes it great for reading comics, sheet music, or editing photos. The GPU sits at the 63rd percentile, so don't expect to run demanding games at high settings. Older titles and casual games are fine, but this isn't a gaming tablet.

The iPad Pro 12.9 (1st gen) sits in a weird spot against modern competitors. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 both offer newer processors, better battery life, and current software support. The Galaxy Tab S11 in particular has a display that rivals this iPad's, but it also has a battery that lasts more than twice as long. If you're buying new and have the budget, those are better choices for most people.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition is the closest philosophical match. It's a tablet that wants to replace your laptop, just like this iPad Pro did in 2015. But the Surface runs full Windows 11, has a much newer chip, and supports real desktop apps. The trade-off is price. A Surface Pro 11 will cost you several times what this renewed iPad costs. The Xiaomi Pad 7 is the budget alternative, and it's a solid one. It has a newer processor and better battery, but the screen isn't as large and the Apple Pencil ecosystem is hard to beat for artists. If you're buying this iPad Pro, you're buying it for the screen size, the Pencil support, and the price. Not for the performance.

Here's where things get interesting. The price spread on renewed units is $241, from $259 up to $500. That's a huge range for what is essentially the same tablet with different storage, color, and connectivity options. If you can find a 128GB Wi-Fi model near the $259 mark, that's a compelling deal for a big-screen tablet with Apple Pencil support. At $500, you're getting into used iPad Air or even older iPad Pro 11-inch territory, and those are much better buys.

The best deal in our data is the 128GB Wi-Fi Silver model on Amazon, which is the listing that tends to hit the lower end of that range. The cellular models cost more, and honestly, unless you specifically need LTE on a tablet this old, skip it. Your phone's hotspot will do the job. The 90-day warranty is short, but that's standard for renewed Apple products. Just know that if the battery gives out after three months, you're on your own. And given that this battery is already a weak point, that's a real risk.

The original 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a weird product to revisit in 2025. It was Apple's first swing at a tablet that could replace a laptop, and it showed up with a massive screen, a desktop-class chip, and a stylus that actually felt good to use. This is a renewed unit, so you're getting 2015 hardware with a fresh battery and a 90-day warranty. That's the deal here: old flagship, new-ish life.

Who's this for? Someone who wants a big iPad for drawing, note-taking, or media consumption without spending iPad Air or newer Pro money. The 12.9-inch display is still huge by tablet standards, and the A9X chip can handle basic productivity apps, streaming, and light creative work. But you need to know what you're signing up for. This thing runs iOS, not iPadOS, and it stopped getting major updates years ago.

What makes it interesting is the price spread. Renewed units are floating around between $259 and $500 depending on storage, color, and cellular. That's a lot of tablet for under $300 if you find the right listing. But the battery situation is rough, and we'll get into that. The short version: this is a niche buy for a specific kind of user, not a general recommendation.

If you need all-day battery life, this is not your tablet. The 1900mAh battery is a genuine dealbreaker for travel, long work sessions, or even a full day of classes. You'll be hunting for outlets by mid-afternoon. Look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 or a newer iPad Air instead. Both have batteries that last significantly longer.

If you want to run current apps or use your tablet for work, skip this too. The old iOS version means you'll hit app compatibility walls, and the 4GB of RAM makes multitasking feel cramped. A Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition or even a used iPad Pro 11-inch from 2020 or later will serve you much better. And if you're buying for a kid or a non-technical family member, the outdated software and short warranty make this a risky gift. Get them something with current updates and a longer support window.

If you're an artist or note-taker on a tight budget, this is still a viable tool. The 12.9-inch display is big enough to draw on comfortably, the Apple Pencil (first gen) is still one of the best styluses ever made, and 128GB of storage means you won't run out of space for Procreate files or PDFs. At $259 to $300, it's hard to find another tablet with this screen size and stylus support. Just know that you're buying a drawing pad and media viewer, not a productivity machine.

For everyone else, skip it. The battery life is genuinely bad, the software is outdated, and the performance is fine but not exciting. If you want a big screen for streaming and browsing, a used iPad Air or a new budget Android tablet will serve you better. If you want a laptop replacement, save up for a Surface Pro or a newer iPad Pro. This original iPad Pro is a classic, but it's a classic for collectors and specific use cases, not for daily drivers.