I’ve written steadily on this blog about how I prefer using my iPad for just about everything over my unwieldy MacBook Pro. That’s because the iPad gives me the perfect balance of power, screen size, and portability that works for my lifestyle.
But in this article by Leif Johnson, the iPad finds itself on the other end of the stick. Leif writes about how his new iPhone XS Max has him forgetting all about his iPad. This perspective is interesting, because as the iPad chips away at its big brother the MacBook Pro, it is also getting poached from behind by larger-than-ever iPhones. Apple’s XS Max now offers a 6.5"screen, and the upcoming budget XR is also going to be over six inches at 6.1". As an interesting aside, our first integrated flip-down DVD screen in our family mini-van was a 6.0"screen.
So, is the iPad an endangered species? Could the new crop of large iPhones start chipping away at the iPad market? The iPhone XS currently matches the A10X-powered iPad Pro in terms of sheer processing power. And the iPhone can beat the iPad at its own game when it comes to portability. It’s much easier to walk around the house with an iPhone than with an iPad.
I think for the group of casual iPad users who primarily use their iPad as a video delivery tool, yes, the new larger iPhones are going to steal users. And it’s not just because the screens are larger. The iPads have always had a huge advantage in the speaker department. But I have a new iPhone XS, and the speakers are significantly better than on the X.
But for someone like me who uses my iPad as my main productivity device, no, the new larger iPhones are never going to allow me to stop using my iPad Pro. The biggest reason is that I use my iPad as my main writing notebook. And by “writing”, I mean handwritten notes. Even if Apple added stylus support to the iPhone, something I greatly desire, I would still use an iPad as my main workhorse. That’s because it’s easier to write on larger screens than on smaller ones. Writing small slows you down. Even on my 10.5"iPad Pro, when I use my GoodNotes writing app in split screen mode, it takes significantly more effort to write notes. I could never make an iPhone my main hand-writing notebook.
Then there’s the issue of screen size. A 6.5"screen may be great for pictures and video, but it isn’t so hot for spreadsheets. It may be good for text if you’re holding it in your hand in front of your face, but if you need a keyboard and have to prop it up on a table away from you. Eh, not so great.
And now there are rumors that the next iPad Pro may switch to USB-C to allow for external monitor support. I would be be so happy if that turned out to be true. I like my iPad because I can work on my couch in front of the TV. But there are times when I’d love to go work at my desk and hook up my 24"monitor for some serious split-screen action. Plus, being able to use my iPad simultaneously would bring multi-monitor support to iOS.
But just for the sake of argument, let’s say that you didn’t need a pencil and you didn’t mind the tiny text of spreadsheets on a 6.5"screen. There’s the battery issue. An iPad can last a full workday with the screen blazing at 100% and doing everything under the sun. As big as the XS Max battery is, it is a long way from ever having battery life on par with an iPad Pro.
In my book, the cellular iPad Pro is still the perfect blend of power, screen, and portability. The MacBook Pro beats the iPad on power but lacks walking-around-the-house portability. The iPhone XS Max beats an iPad in terms of portability but lacks enough screen and battery to really put in a full day’s work.
So, is the iPad an endangered species? Could the new crop of large iPhones start chipping away at the iPad market? The iPhone XS currently matches the A10X-powered iPad Pro in terms of sheer processing power. And the iPhone can beat the iPad at its own game when it comes to portability. It’s much easier to walk around the house with an iPhone than with an iPad.
I think for the group of casual iPad users who primarily use their iPad as a video delivery tool, yes, the new larger iPhones are going to steal users. And it’s not just because the screens are larger. The iPads have always had a huge advantage in the speaker department. But I have a new iPhone XS, and the speakers are significantly better than on the X.
But for someone like me who uses my iPad as my main productivity device, no, the new larger iPhones are never going to allow me to stop using my iPad Pro. The biggest reason is that I use my iPad as my main writing notebook. And by “writing”, I mean handwritten notes. Even if Apple added stylus support to the iPhone, something I greatly desire, I would still use an iPad as my main workhorse. That’s because it’s easier to write on larger screens than on smaller ones. Writing small slows you down. Even on my 10.5"iPad Pro, when I use my GoodNotes writing app in split screen mode, it takes significantly more effort to write notes. I could never make an iPhone my main hand-writing notebook.
Then there’s the issue of screen size. A 6.5"screen may be great for pictures and video, but it isn’t so hot for spreadsheets. It may be good for text if you’re holding it in your hand in front of your face, but if you need a keyboard and have to prop it up on a table away from you. Eh, not so great.
And now there are rumors that the next iPad Pro may switch to USB-C to allow for external monitor support. I would be be so happy if that turned out to be true. I like my iPad because I can work on my couch in front of the TV. But there are times when I’d love to go work at my desk and hook up my 24"monitor for some serious split-screen action. Plus, being able to use my iPad simultaneously would bring multi-monitor support to iOS.
But just for the sake of argument, let’s say that you didn’t need a pencil and you didn’t mind the tiny text of spreadsheets on a 6.5"screen. There’s the battery issue. An iPad can last a full workday with the screen blazing at 100% and doing everything under the sun. As big as the XS Max battery is, it is a long way from ever having battery life on par with an iPad Pro.
In my book, the cellular iPad Pro is still the perfect blend of power, screen, and portability. The MacBook Pro beats the iPad on power but lacks walking-around-the-house portability. The iPhone XS Max beats an iPad in terms of portability but lacks enough screen and battery to really put in a full day’s work.
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