iPadOS 26 is lastly nudging me in direction of upgrading my 2020 iPad Professional

One factor we did not see at Apple’s September 9 occasion was a brand new iPad. That made sense to a level, since there was sufficient to speak about with new Apple Watches and the iPhone 17 lineup, notably the iPhone Air. On the identical time, the radio silence felt a bit odd, because the firm has made a splash with fall iPad bulletins up to now. Nevertheless, to not concern — Apple lastly dropped the hammer earlier this month by asserting a brand new M5 iPad Pro, which undoubtedly has various tempting upgrades.

I am not ready to purchase a brand new iPad anytime quickly. Overlaying September 9 did lead me to replicate on the prospect, nevertheless, in tandem with the discharge of iPadOS 26. The extra I exploit iPadOS 26, the extra strain I really feel in direction of making the leap. A part of this stems from real function developments within the OS — however there’s just a little extra occurring than that. Regardless, I discover myself sitting on a fence.

What it is like utilizing a 2020 iPad in 2025

Arduous and gentle limitations

If there’s any five-year-old iPad that may maintain out within the trendy tech panorama, it is my 11-inch iPad Professional. I do not stress it that a lot in comparison with some individuals, admittedly — the one work apps I run are Slack and Asana — however its A12Z chip remains to be quick sufficient to assist Liquid Glass and three iPhone-sized apps concurrently. Throughout the workday, I exploit my Professional as a type of second display for retaining tabs on music, messages, notifications, and smart home controls. This frees up my laptop computer for extra vital duties — specifically analysis, picture modifying, and jamming out writing initiatives.

For what I am presently doing, there is no robust purpose to improve. My iPad even has some options the newest non-Professional fashions do not, specifically Face ID and a 120Hz ProMotion show. That is one thing I had anticipated to vary by now. It’d within the subsequent few months, who is aware of — since Apple has settled on the notion of cheaper iPads being restricted by processor energy, it feels arbitrary to impose a 60Hz refresh price as effectively, contemplating that Samsung’s price range Galaxy Tab A11 has a 90Hz panel. It is arduous to return to 60Hz as soon as you have obtained used to scrolling by way of apps and residential screens at ultra-smooth framerates.

I’m working inside invisible partitions, although. As a result of my Professional lacks an M-series processor, it is solely allowed to reflect content material to an exterior monitor or TV, not create an prolonged desktop. And probably the most superior apps will not run effectively or in any respect — I am considering of titles like Logic Professional and DaVinci Resolve. I may technically launch Resolve, however making an attempt to edit a video with the naked minimal specs can be excruciating. Blackmagic recommends an M1 iPad or higher.

The place there aren’t arduous limitations for my pill, there are gentle ones. iPadOS 26 does allow you to open greater than three or 4 apps (lastly), but the sensible ceiling of that relies on each processor energy and RAM. Within the case of a 2020 iPad Professional, 4 apps appear to be probably the most it will probably handle earlier than issues turn into noticeably sluggish, and that is with out launching something graphics-intensive. Even a 2D recreation like Stardew Valley would most likely tip issues over the sting.

Talking of graphics, whereas Liquid Glass does work, it nearly feels tailored to drive upgrades. Its added graphical results decelerate an A12Z simply sufficient that dragging and resizing home windows turns into an uncomfortable chore. Mildly uncomfortable, maybe, however that is important on a touch-based system the place you anticipate instantaneous response. It isn’t arduous to think about iPadOS 27 changing into a breaking level for some customers, no less than if Apple tries to push visible aptitude any additional.

Is Apple nudging individuals in direction of new {hardware}?

The advanced reply

On one degree, I do not doubt it. Prospects have been going longer and longer between iPad purchases, typically past the five-year mark — a dilemma for a corporation that wishes you to join an annual iPhone Improve Program. Certainly, should you’re trying to economize, a refurbished 2021 iPad Professional will not be solely viable in 2025, however sufficient to get round all of the limitations I have been speaking about. I’d see if I can discover a 13-inch, 2022 refurb — the additional display area would do extra for my productiveness than an M4 or M5 chip, particularly if I may put the financial savings in direction of a Magic Keyboard.

On the identical time, I do not actually begrudge Apple. Critics like myself have lengthy complained that exterior of media consumption and illustration, there hasn’t been a lot purpose to make use of an iPad as an alternative of a Mac or Home windows PC, which tends to be extra versatile. My present iPad dates again to an period when “Professional” signaled little various additional perks. To repair that, Apple was inevitably going to have to enhance iPadOS’s multitasking capabilities at the price of efficiency on older {hardware}. An M4 iPad Professional operating iPadOS 26 is a radically completely different beast — with the appropriate apps and equipment, many individuals ought to be capable of use one as a real laptop computer alternative. Some persons are making go of 1 as a 4K video workstation, foreshadowing how highly effective each iPad goes to be by the point we get to iPadOS 30.

Will I improve by spring 2026? Most likely not, if I am trustworthy — until my iPad breaks down, or there is a sudden inflow of money. I would most likely get extra worth from an inexpensive Home windows laptop computer that would function backup to my major machine, or as a (extra) compact journey workstation. An iPad is not even my finest transportable gaming choice anymore, not when I’ve a Steam Deck OLED my spouse gave me as a present. I am unable to play Cyberpunk 2077 on an iPad with out resorting to cloud providers like GeForce Now.

Apple appears to be headed in the appropriate path, so there’s a likelihood I am going to give in to temptation. Even then, nevertheless, it will need to show that it is price forking out additional for a brand new iPad as an alternative of scanning websites like Amazon and Greatest Purchase for offers on yesterday’s information.