iPad Pro vs Google Pixel C: What's The Best Hybrid Option?

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The biggest tablets Google and Apple have ever created face off!

Apple has now added some more fuel to the hybrid tablet/PC fire by further diversifying its iPad Pro line-up (to the extent that we're now wondering if the Pro brand has superceded all others, such as the Air). The firm's March 21 event saw it unveiling the 4in iPhone SE, but alongside that the company unwrapped a 9.7in iPad Pro as a more compact alternative to the existing 12.9in iPad Pro launched inside 2015. Of course, Apple has given both the 12.9in and 9.7in models the same name; iPad Pro, meaning we're left with stating the screen measurement every time we mention them in order to differentiate which one we're talking about. Nice and convenient as ever. Ahead of the launch there were enough rumours to know that a new 9.7in iPad was coming, but we didn't know if it would be a new iPad Air 3 or the iPad Pro 9.7, as both were rumoured, at one point we even thought both might turn up together. But it seems for now the iPad Pro 9.7 has usurped the iPad Air as the main 9.7in tablet in Apple's stable.

Do you remember when it was Microsoft who was left behind and struggling to catch up with Apple and Google in the mobile space? It wasn't that long ago, and still is arguably the case when it comes to phones (though that's now being remedied with Windows 10). However, while the aformentioned twins of mobile domination have for a long time been top dogs in the tablet space (Apple particularly so), the table(t)s now seem to have turned. Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 is getting rave reviews and plenty of attention from both consumers and business users alike. It has re-defined the hybrid tablet PC and offered a genuinely viable alternative to traditional laptops. Now, unsurprisingly, Google and Apple want in on this seemingly lucrative market sector.

It’s funny, for the last year everyone has been declaring that tablet, if not dead, is at least a sinking ship. And that’s mostly been fair. iPad sales are declining about 20% year over year–and that’s the most popular tablet in the world. Android and Windows tablets aren’t faring any better. But there may be a critical shift in the tablet market in 2016 if Apple and Google’s plans are any bellwether. That’s because both companies have announced “pro” tablets–tablets that aim to be both tablet and laptop. For Apple, it’ the just-released iPad Pro. For Google, its the upcoming Pixel C.

There has been a lot of talk about Google further developing its hardware aspirations as we move towards 2016/17. Multiple sources suggest the Big G is keen on making its own smartphone in-house, similar to how Apple does its iPhone. This wouldn’t be a Nexus handset either — they’re made by OEMs. This handset, according to reports, would be designed and built solely by Google. And judging by recent events it is likely that handset, should it ever surface, will be called the Pixel phone.

Why? Simple: Google is building itself an excellent reputation with hardware. The Chromebook Pixel is insanely good and the Pixel C tablet has all the makings of being a true replacement to Google’s much loved and Nexus 10 tablet. None of this is official, though, and is just speculation on our part. But a quick glance at what Google is doing suggests the company is prepping an entire suite of Pixel devices, one that covers off computing, tablets and phones.

Could these beasts revive the tablet market? It's way too early to tell, but one thing we can begin doing is comparing them to each other. Here’s how they stack up.

iPad Pro vs Pixel C: Design and Specs

Pixel C

• Display: 10.2-inch 2560×1800 pixel at 308 pixels per inch
• Colors: Grey
• Storage: 32 and 64 GB
• Processors: Tegra X1 ARMv8 ARM Cortex-A57 quad-core + ARM Cortex-A53 quad-core (64-bit)
• RAM: 3 GB
• OS: Android Marshmallow 6.0
• Cameras: None
• Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, possibly more
• Size: To be announced (TBA)
• Weight: TBA

iPad Pro (12.9)

• Display: 12.9-inch 2732×2048 pixel at 264 pixels per inch
• Colors: Silver, Space Grey, Gold
• Storage: 32 and 128GB
• Processors: 64-bit A9X and M9
• RAM: 4GB
• OS: iOS 9.1
• Cameras: front 1.2MP 720p HD camera and a rear 8MP 1080p HD camera
• Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, optional 4G
• Size: 305 mm × 220 mm × 7 mm
• Weight: 710 grams

iPad Pro (9.7in)

• Display: 9.7-inch 1536×2048 pixel at 264 pixels per inch
• Colors: Silver, Space Grey, Gold, Rose Gold
• Storage: 32, 128GB, and 256GB
• Processors: 64-bit A9X and M9
• RAM: 4GB
• Touch ID: yes
• Cameras: front 5MP 720p HD camera and a rear 12MP 4K HD camera
• Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, optional 4G
• Size: 240 x 169.5 x 6.1 mm
• Weight: 437 grams

To be fair to Google, this comparison isn’t exactly apples to apples (excuse the pun) because Google hasn’t revealed all the specs for the Pixel C. That being said, the company has released most of the major specs–and it appears the iPad Pro beats the Pixel C in almost all areas.

For example, the iPad Pro is packed with 4GB of RAM compared to the Pixel C’s 3GB. Then there is the storage options: the iPad Pro gives you a choice of 32GB or 128GB, whereas the Pixel C gives you 32GB or 64GB options. For tablets designed to be hybrids, I think 32GB is too little. I’d want AT LEAST 128GB, but it’s nice to have the 64GB option too.

As far as processor goes, the A9X found in the iPad Pro is said to be INSANELY fast–faster than the Intel chips found in some MacBooks. The Pixel C features the Tegra X1 chip which features a high power ARMv8 ARM Cortex-A57 quad-core processor along with a lower powered but more battery efficient ARM Cortex-A53 quad-core (64-bit) processor. It’s yet to be seen how the Tegra X1 compares to the A9X in real-world tests.

“Let’s go over the basics first: Geekbench reports that the A9X is a dual-core chip running at about 2.25GHz. The A8X used three CPU cores to boost performance, but the A9’s “Twister” CPU architecture and the big boosts in clock speed that Apple is squeezing out of it (up from 1.84GHz in the iPad Air 2) both apparently made that third core unnecessary,” notes Ars Technica.

The report added: “The A9X can’t quite get up to the level of a modern U-series Core i5 based on Broadwell or Skylake (see the 2015 MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4 results), but it’s roughly on the same level as a Core i5 from 2013 or so and it’s well ahead of Core M. And despite the fact that it lacks a fan, the A9X shows little sign of throttling in the Geekbench thermal test, which bodes well for the iPad Pro’s ability to run professional-caliber apps for extended periods of time.”

Aside from the size of the bodywork and display, the differences between Apple's two iPad Pro models are few; it is mostly all about the display technology, which we'll address in the next section. Design wise the duo are exactly the same, including the quad-speakers and support for both the Apple Pencil Stylus, and the Smart Keyboard via the Smart Connector port (on the 9.7in model the port is the same, but there is a smaller, purpose-built edition of the keyboard accessory that fits right in). Specs wise the pair is also like-for-like, however, with the iPad Pro 9.7 Apple introduced a new top-tier of onboard storage at 256GB, but at the same time added this option to the iPad Pro 12.9 too.

iPad Pro vs Pixel C: Display

It’s usually Android devices that have the larger displays, but in this case the iPad Pro wins hands down. First, the display is physically larger at 12.9-inches. But it’s also got a much higher resolution at 2732×2048 pixels. That compares to the Pixel C’s 10.2-inch display with 2560×1800 resolution.

The iPad Pro’s size is much closer to the normal 12- to 13-inch laptops you are used to carrying around. The Pixel C’s 10.2-inch display comes up a bit small in comparison and, despite its excellent quality display, it does fall short of the iPad Pro's set-up which has a few tricks up its sleeve like split-screen mode. 

The iPad Pro 9.7in has a few key differences from the others, though. While the iPad Pro 12.9in features Apple's pressure-sensitive 3D Touch, this is absent on the 9.7in iPad Pro (and the iPad Air 2, in fact), however, the iPad Pro 9.7in instead features a much more advanced display using an oxde TFT "True Tone" panel; Apple says it is considerably brighter and less reflective than previous iPads and in fact any other tablet on the market, while the "True Tone" label refers to the display ability to use on-board sensors to measure the ambient light colour in the room and adjust the display colour gamut accordingly.

iPad Pro vs Google Pixel C

The Pixel C has one hell of a chipset inside it and it really does fly — Android has never been snappier. Google has opted for a Nvidia X1 processor with 256-cores Maxwell GPU backed by 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM. The Pixel C is EPIC-fast and will handle anything and everything you can throw at it from video editing to intensive gaming. 

Apple’s iPad Pro as you’d expect is fully primed and ready for battle. Over the past couple of years Apple has really pulled away from the competition with its A-Series chipsets, surpassing almost every other setup with respect to overall performance and power efficiency. The A9X processor is no exception to this rule: everything zips along at frankly alarming, laptop-grade speeds, leaving very little to be desired. 

iPad Pro vs Pixel C: Keyboards

Both the iPad Pro and Pixel C allow you to buy an additional keyboard accessory that transforms each tablet into a hybrid device. Each uses magnets, conduction, and Bluetooth to communicate with the respective tablet.

The sad thing in both these instances is that neither Apple nor Google include the keyboard–you’ll have to splash out over £100 extra in each case to get one.

iPad Pro vs Pixel C: Price & Verdict

The iPad Pro costs £679 for the 32GB Wi-Fi model, £799 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, and £899 for the 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model. UK pricing has not been announced for the Pixel C yet, but in the US it costs $499 (about £329) for the 32GB model and $599 (about £399) for the 64GB model.

The Pixel C prices are significantly cheaper than those of the iPad Pro, but you’re also getting a lot less spec for spec. For starters the iPad Pro has the vastly larger and superior display. It also comes with the higher 128GB storage option and a 4G option as well. Another thing is has that the Pixel C lacks are front and rear cameras. The iPad Pro also has 25% more RAM.

Both the iPad Pro and Pixel C aren’t true hybrids until you splash out for their optional keyboard, however, so the cost of each goes up for that. But the iPad Pro also has another optional accessory–the Apple Pencil stylus for those that want to get serious graphics work done. The Pixel C offers no such stylus options.

If you’re a professional in the graphics or design industry, you’re almost certainly going to want to go with the iPad Pro. However, if you are just looking for a hybrid to replace your current laptop and tablet, your choice over which is best will depend on whether you are an iOS or Android fan.