REVIEW: Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A – A Long-Term User’s Perspective

There was a time when juggling a heavy laptop for work and a small phone for entertainment felt incredibly inefficient. I needed a device that could bridge the gap, offering powerful productivity on the go without sacrificing the portability and intuitive experience of a tablet. This problem wasn’t just about convenience; it was about maximizing my workflow and creativity wherever I was, and failing to solve it meant continued frustration with clunky setups and missed opportunities for quick, efficient work. It became clear that a versatile and potent portable computing solution, such as the Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A, would have significantly helped streamline my daily tasks and enhance my digital life.

Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A
  • 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display with Promotion, True Tone, and wide color
  • A12X Bionic chip with Neural Engine
  • Face ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay

Key Considerations Before Investing in a Premium Tablet

Before diving into any significant tech purchase, especially a premium tablet, it’s crucial to understand why you need one and what specific problems it will solve. Tablets, in general, offer a compelling blend of a smartphone’s portability and a laptop’s capability, making them ideal for tasks ranging from casual browsing and media consumption to professional-level content creation and intricate note-taking. One might seek a tablet to replace a bulky laptop for travel, enhance their artistic endeavors with a precise digital canvas, or manage academic and professional documents more efficiently.

The ideal customer for a device like the iPad Pro is someone who values performance, a stunning visual experience, and the flexibility to work from anywhere. This includes creative professionals like artists, designers, and video editors who need a powerful mobile workstation; students and academics who require a robust note-taking and research tool; and business users who frequently present, manage documents, or engage in video conferencing while on the move. They are individuals who will benefit from a large, high-resolution screen, a powerful processor capable of handling demanding applications, and seamless integration with a rich ecosystem of apps and accessories.

However, a premium tablet might not be for everyone. If your primary needs are simply browsing the internet, checking emails, and watching videos, a more budget-friendly tablet or even a larger smartphone might suffice. Individuals who require a traditional desktop operating system for specialized software, extensive port selection, or a full physical keyboard experience might still find a laptop a better fit. Before committing, consider factors such as screen size (critical for productivity and media), processor power (for demanding tasks), storage capacity (for apps and files), connectivity options (Wi-Fi only vs. Wi-Fi + Cellular), and the overall ecosystem (app availability, accessories like Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard). Evaluating these aspects will ensure your investment aligns perfectly with your digital lifestyle.

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Unveiling the Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9

The Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9, specifically the WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A model, is Apple’s third-generation professional-grade tablet, originally released in 2018. It presents itself as a mobile powerhouse designed to tackle demanding tasks, offering a promise of desktop-class performance in a remarkably thin and light form factor. When you purchase this model, particularly as a renewed item, you typically receive the tablet itself, often accompanied by a charging cable and power adapter—though sometimes these accessories might be third-party. Compared to its predecessors, the 3rd Gen iPad Pro brought significant changes, including a complete redesign with an edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display, Face ID, USB-C connectivity, and the incredibly powerful A12X Bionic chip, making it a substantial leap forward. While newer iPad Pro models (4th, 5th, 6th generation) have since been released, this 3rd Gen still holds its own remarkably well, offering a premium experience at a more accessible price point, especially in its renewed state.

This particular iPad Pro is ideal for power users who crave a large display for drawing, complex document work, or immersive media consumption, and who benefit from cellular connectivity for ubiquitous internet access. It’s also perfect for those who want to leverage the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) for artistic creation or detailed note-taking. However, it might be overkill for casual users who only need a tablet for basic browsing or those on a very strict budget, as even renewed, it represents a significant investment compared to entry-level iPads.

Here’s a quick breakdown of its pros and cons:

Pros:
* Stunning 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display with ProMotion and True Tone.
* Exceptional performance from the A12X Bionic chip, handling intensive applications with ease.
* Secure and convenient Face ID authentication.
* Versatile USB-C port for expanded connectivity and external display support.
* Excellent quad-speaker audio system for immersive sound.
* Long-lasting battery life for extended use throughout the day.
* Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem and accessories like the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen.

Cons:
* Can be pricey, even as a renewed model, compared to other tablets.
* The charger provided with renewed units is sometimes a third-party accessory and may not always perform optimally.
* Lacks a traditional headphone jack, requiring adapters for wired headphones.
* Still fundamentally iOS/iPadOS, which might not be a true laptop replacement for everyone’s workflow.
* Renewed units may exhibit minor cosmetic imperfections, such as small dents or scratches.

Deep Dive into Performance: Features and Practical Advantages

Having spent considerable time with the iPad Pro 3rd generation, I can confidently say its features translate directly into tangible benefits for various aspects of daily life, whether for work, creativity, or entertainment.

The Stunning Liquid Retina Display

The 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display is, without exaggeration, one of the most compelling reasons to own this tablet. With a maximum display resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels, every image and text appears incredibly sharp and vibrant. From a user’s perspective, this means an expansive canvas that feels truly immersive. For tasks like reading sheet music, as one user pointed out, or sifting through academic papers, the display size is nearly identical to an 8.5 x 11-inch page, making digital document viewing a breeze. The ProMotion technology, with its adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, makes scrolling incredibly fluid and responsive, which is not just a cosmetic luxury but a functional enhancement for drawing with the Apple Pencil or rapidly navigating complex interfaces. True Tone technology automatically adjusts the display’s white balance to match the ambient light, reducing eye strain during long sessions and making colors appear more natural and consistent across different environments. Wide color support ensures that creative work, from photo editing to graphic design, is rendered with professional accuracy. The sheer size and quality of this display elevate everything from watching Netflix to meticulously editing a video project, providing ample space and clarity that significantly enhance productivity and enjoyment.

Unrivaled Power: The A12X Bionic Chip

At the heart of this powerful tablet lies the A12X Bionic chip with Neural Engine, complemented by an M12 Coprocessor. This isn’t just a fast chip; it’s a mobile computing marvel. Running at a processor speed of 1.6 GHz, the A12X Bionic chip delivers performance that, at its time of release, surpassed many laptops. Even years later, it remains incredibly capable. For me, this translates into virtually no lag or stutter, regardless of how many apps I have open or how demanding the task. Editing 4K video, rendering complex 3D models, or running multiple professional-grade applications simultaneously is handled with remarkable fluidity. The Neural Engine further enhances tasks like machine learning, allowing for advanced features in apps such as real-time image processing, augmented reality experiences, and intelligent voice recognition. The ability to switch seamlessly between a document editor, a web browser, and a drawing app without any hitches is a game-changer for multitasking and maintaining a productive flow. This raw processing power isn’t just about speed; it’s about enabling capabilities that transform the iPad Pro from a consumption device into a true creation machine, solving the core problem of needing significant computing power in a portable form.

Seamless Security and Convenience: Face ID and Apple Pay

The integration of Face ID for secure authentication is a welcome convenience and a significant security upgrade. Gone are the days of fumbling with fingerprint sensors or typing in passcodes multiple times a day. With Face ID, a quick glance at the iPad Pro is all it takes to unlock the device, authenticate purchases, or log into secure apps. It works flawlessly in both portrait and landscape orientations, adapting instantly to how you’re holding the tablet. This feature is particularly beneficial when your hands are full or dirty, ensuring quick and secure access without interruption. Coupled with Apple Pay, it makes online shopping and in-app purchases incredibly simple and secure, using biometric authentication rather than requiring you to repeatedly enter sensitive credit card information. The benefit here is clear: enhanced security combined with unparalleled ease of use, removing friction from daily interactions with the device.

Capture the Moment: Advanced Cameras

While tablets aren’t typically the first device one reaches for to take photos, the this device is equipped with surprisingly capable cameras. It features a 12MP back camera and a 7MP True Depth front camera. The rear camera is excellent for scanning documents, which is a frequent need for students and professionals. Its ability to capture detailed images makes it perfect for digitizing notes, whiteboards, or physical documents with remarkable clarity. For augmented reality (AR) applications, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the camera system provides precise tracking and high-quality visuals. The True Depth front camera, beyond enabling Face ID, excels in video conferencing. The quality of video calls is crisp and clear, making virtual meetings more professional and engaging, especially crucial in today’s remote work environment. For me, it means I always have a reliable tool for quick scans or high-quality video chats, removing the need for dedicated scanners or lower-quality webcam setups.

Immersive Audio Experience: Four Speaker Sound

The audio experience on the iPad Pro 3 12.9 is another standout feature. It boasts four speaker audio with wider stereo sound. Unlike many tablets that offer tinny or unbalanced audio, the iPad Pro delivers rich, clear, and surprisingly spatial sound. When watching movies or TV shows, the audio fills the space around you, creating a truly immersive viewing experience without needing external speakers or headphones. For listening to music, the sound quality is impressive for a tablet, with good bass response and clear highs. Even for video calls, the improved audio output makes it easier to hear participants clearly, while the multiple speakers project your voice effectively. This feature eliminates the common compromise of poor sound quality on portable devices, making it an excellent all-in-one media consumption and communication hub.

Connectivity and Storage: WiFi, Cellular, and 256GB

The “WiFi/Cellular” aspect of this iPad Pro model is incredibly beneficial for users who need to stay connected regardless of their location. The inclusion of 4G cellular technology means you’re not solely reliant on Wi-Fi networks, allowing for true mobile productivity whether you’re commuting, traveling, or working in a cafe. The convenience of always-on internet access ensures that you can download files, participate in video calls, or access cloud-based documents without searching for a hotspot. Furthermore, the 256 GB memory storage capacity provides ample space for a vast library of applications, large project files, high-resolution photos, and even a significant collection of movies for offline viewing. This generous storage means less worrying about running out of space and more freedom to store everything you need on the device itself. The USB-C hardware interface, a departure from Apple’s proprietary Lightning port, adds another layer of versatility. It allows for direct connection to a wider range of accessories like external monitors, cameras, and hard drives, effectively expanding the iPad Pro’s capabilities and making it a more flexible tool for various workflows. This level of connectivity and storage directly addresses the need for a truly mobile and self-contained workstation.

All-Day Productivity: Battery Life

With an average battery life of 10 hours and a capacity of 9720 Milliamp Hours, the Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A is designed to keep up with a full day’s work or entertainment. My personal experience confirms this; even with heavy usage involving multiple applications, video streaming, and some light gaming, the iPad Pro consistently delivers excellent endurance. This means I can take it to meetings, classes, or on long trips without constantly worrying about finding a power outlet. While some users of renewed devices noted that the included third-party charger might be slow, the overall battery life once charged is robust. The lithium-ion battery technology is efficient, allowing for maximum power delivery when needed and conserving energy during lighter use. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your device won’t die halfway through a critical task or a long flight is invaluable, making it a reliable companion for anyone on the go.

What Others Are Saying: Real-World Experiences

I’ve scoured the internet and found a consistent stream of positive feedback from users who’ve purchased the renewed Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9. Many reported receiving their devices in “good” condition, often with only minor cosmetic flaws like small dents or light scratches that were easily overlooked given the significant savings. Users frequently expressed satisfaction with the “great deal” they received, highlighting that the tablets performed exceptionally well without glitches or issues. Several specifically praised the excellent battery life, noting it lasted a long time even with demanding tasks like gaming and Netflix. One user found it invaluable for PhD classes and reading digital sheet music, emphasizing its productivity benefits. While some mentioned the charger might be a third-party accessory and potentially slow, the device itself consistently met or exceeded expectations, proving to be a reliable and powerful tool for diverse needs.

Final Thoughts: Is This iPad Pro Right for You?

In today’s fast-paced digital world, the need for a versatile, powerful, and portable device to handle both productivity and entertainment is more critical than ever. Without such a tool, you risk being tied down by a bulky laptop or limited by a small smartphone, hindering your ability to work, create, and consume content efficiently from anywhere. The Apple iPad Pro 3 12.9 WiFi/Cellular 256GB Space Gray MTJ02LL/A stands out as a superb solution to this challenge. Its brilliant Liquid Retina display offers an expansive and vibrant canvas for any task, while the potent A12X Bionic chip ensures seamless performance for even the most demanding applications. Coupled with the flexibility of cellular connectivity and a long-lasting battery, this iPad Pro is a fantastic fit for anyone needing a high-performance tablet that truly empowers mobile productivity and creativity. Don’t miss out on this incredible value; Click here to check the product out and elevate your digital experience.

Last update on 2025-09-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API