An electronic tablet is among the devices humans have embraced in computing, given its convenience. In fact, for some, it is an indispensable part of running their business or day-to-day activities. With this in mind, one cannot think of tablets without mentioning Apple’s iPad Pro, and I will help you understand how long you can use this tablet before requiring a replacement.
So, how long does the iPad Pro last? An iPad Pro will last for five years with full functionality. This duration may reduce or extend depending on your frequency of use. Beyond five years, you might start experiencing lagging issues and screen delays, among other problems. However, you should not be surprised if your device continues performing optimally after this period.
Apple’s products rank higher in terms of quality and price. With such an initial high investment, it is worth knowing how long your current device will serve you before considering a replacement for proper planning.
When selecting an electronic tablet, most humans’ top preference is the iPad Pro, by Apple, given the high-quality features and performance. Although it may be a bit pricier, most users boast of its excellent features, minimum operational issues, and class, making its price incomparable to other brands.
An iPad Pro will remain in good shape up for up to five years after purchase without exhibiting any difficulties. This durability is courtesy of its build, storage, and smooth functionality. The frequency of use by the user will also dictate how long this device lasts.
It is also possible that your iPad Pro will still be functional after five years, but on average, five years is the maximum number of years you can use your device regularly without experiencing hardware or software issues, indicating the need for replacement.
The software dictates your iPad Pro’s duration, but there is a bigger picture to this. Apple will give software updates to your device for up to 7 years such that by the time you need a replacement, it should be your device failing in terms of software updates and not the manufacturer.
While there is nothing much you can do about the OS that comes with your device, there are certain factors you can look into that contribute to your iPad Pro’s durability, including the apps, storage space, structure, battery, and updates. Maintaining these factors as required will maintain your device in good shape for as long as possible.
The apps you are using on your iPad Pro give you an idea of the state of your device. As many as they are, your Apps should open and run smoothly until you want to close them. If you start receiving message alerts on the constant crashing of the apps, it could signal an end of your device’s functionality, especially if your device is over five years old.
However, before experiencing crash reports, you can keep your apps healthy by deleting unused apps regularly. This practice will prolong your device’s years of functionality, especially if you start after you have purchased your device. Alternatively, you can turn off app notifications to maintain a healthy device.
Unlike Android devices, you cannot upgrade your iPad Pro storage but instead utilize the iCloud. This way, your device will function smoothly at the appropriate speed. If your device is old enough and constantly runs out of space or slows down, it could be time for a replacement.
In terms of the hardware, your iPad Pro display, charging port, and side buttons will be the first to wear and tear, given their constant use. Hence, accessorizing your device with compatible wireless chargers, external keyboards, and stylus pens while ensuring compatibility is advisable to reduce contact, and in turn, reducing the rate of wear and tear.
If your iPad Pro has scratches and damages relating to the ports and displays, it will be quite costly to frequently repair them. Therefore, a replacement is ideal, especially if the device is old enough.
You will also know your iPad Pro is approaching the end of its lifespan if the battery power goes down too soon. At times, replacing the battery might work, but buying a new device altogether is most appropriate if your device is too old. To maintain good battery health, you should avoid poor charging habits such as complete draining and using non-Apple chargers.
Lastly, you should perform software updates on your device to ensure good performance up to the recommended lifespan. An up-to-date OS ensures no security threats and full functionality for a fantastic experience. Hence, you will know it is time for a replacement if the notification on your latest update is irrelevant to your model.
How Many Years Will an iPad Last?
To date, the iPad boasts of being a popular tablet with over 20 generations as of 2021. Each of these generations features differences in the buttons, ID, and screen sizes. However, a common concern among most users is how long their iPad will last.
An iPad will last for four years and a few months, depending on the mode and how often you use your device. While your iPad’s hardware may last longer than the iOS, you will have to consider all the hardware and software issues of your device to determine whether it is time to replace your iPad. Also, how you use and take care of your iPad will determine how many years it will last.
Four years seems like a short time compared to your investment in your iPad, but with good hardware and software maintenance, you can prolong your device’s lifespan. For instance, turning off app notifications you do not need will prove effective. At times, you may get information on products or services outside your apps that you do not need and turning them off is an important step toward improving your battery and overall device life.
Storing your iPad at suitable temperatures is also advisable to prolong its lifespan. Hence, avoid keeping your device inside your car, especially during the summer season, or leaving it outside in the freezing weather during winter. Other things you can do include updating your software, removing unused apps, and adding a keyboard to your iPad.
Apple releases software updates regularly to fix bugs, introduce new features, and improve the devices’ performances. Installing these apps upon their release will maintain your device’s OS at the correct speed and ensure secure and smooth operation. If you constantly forget to update your device, you can rely on automatic updates.
Navigate Settings, General, Software Update, Automatic Updates, and toggle the download and install options to turn on automatic updates. This way, your iPad will download and install any updates automatically upon their release as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi.
You may sometimes download an app, use it once, and never open it again. As long as these apps are on your iPad, they will take up the space, compromising your device’s performance and speed. This is the same case with games, photo libraries, and music playlists.
Lags caused by unused items eating up your space will give a false impression that it is time to replace your iPad. Hence, you should regularly get rid of such apps and data on your device for good performance.
To achieve this, set a reminder to clear unnecessary stuff on your device and reduce the slowness. You can view the apps taking up your space by navigating to General then iPad storage. While here, you will also see how much space these apps are taking, and you can go through the list and delete what you do not want.
Lastly, you can tell it is time to replace your iPad if you experience slowness in the touch interactions. Using a keyboard, especially in iPads with iPadOS 13.5 or later, may solve this problem temporarily.
Even if your device does not have touch issues, adding a keyboard or other accessories will give it a brand-new feel, convincing you to wait longer before replacing it. It may take some time before you get used to the trackpad gestures, after which using your iPad will give a similar experience to computers.
How Long Can iPad Pro 2021 Last?
Digital devices do not have an expiry date, but this does not mean that they will last forever. Hence, you will receive signals indicating the time to replace your iPad Pro, but before I get to the signs, read on to know how long your iPad Pro 2021 can last.
How long your iPad Pro 2021 can last is dependent on how you use it, but most will last up to 4 or 5 years. Like other iPad versions, you expect your iPad Pro 2021 to exhibit slow performance after 5 years, but it should not be a wonder if, after 6 years, your device is fully functional.
If you use your iPad occasionally, its hardware and battery will likely last longer, but you will need to check the OS, storage, and other hardware issues. When determining the time to replace your old iPad Pro 2021, you should look at software compatibility, the rate at which apps are crashing, battery life, storage, display problems, unresponsive buttons, and compatibility with accessories.
Apple’s OS requires upgrades now and then to accommodate new features and security patches. You will know your iPad Pro 2021 is too old and requires updates if you start missing these updates.
Just like new iPad models run out of date, apps and games will crash to signal the time for a replacement. With OS updates, older software apps will stop working. Hence, consider a replacement if you experience crashes on your iPad apps, and OS updates do not fix.
You will also know it is time to buy a new iPad if your iPad Pro 2021 starts running out of storage. With iPads, you cannot expand storage but instead, utilize Apple’s iCloud of up to 2TB. Hence, if your iPad can no longer accommodate your regular apps and uninstalling them does not help, it is time to get a new iPad.
iPad accessories include chargers and cases. With new releases of iPad models, you may experience incompatibility issues on the accessories, including too small charger pins and cases for your device. You may also get incompatible screen protectors with your older iPad, signaling that your device is too old, hence needing a replacement.
iPad batteries are another consideration as these lithium-ion batteries have a considerable lifespan. Over time, the batteries will degrade, depending on their charging cycle. An older device has more charging cycles, and extreme temperature variations will affect this cycle. Hence, if your 2021 iPad Pro gives a low battery alert a few hours after charging, even when you are not using it, it could be time to buy a new battery or upgrade your device.
A touch-sensitive iPad display gives an exciting user experience. Hence, if you notice that the display sensitivity is low or absent after some years of use, it is time to consider a replacement. Massaging the display may solve this problem, but the case is different with older iPads.
With age, your iPad Pro 2021 will likely sustain scratches, chips, and cracks, affecting its response to touch, requiring replacement. A recent test on YouTube proved that iPad Pro 2021 is more resistant to scratches than its predecessors, but this does not rule out this possibility completely.
Like the display, your iPad Pro 2021 buttons are also likely to wear out with age. This explains why manufacturers have reduced the number of buttons in recent years. You can navigate unresponsive volume and rotation control buttons, but failure to access the Home Screen is a bigger challenge.
Wrap Up
Apple’s iPad offers a convenient way for users to access the internet for emails, gaming, storage of documents, and other services. Given their portability, iPads are becoming popular among users, especially on the go, given their functionality and battery performance.
These features are accessible at a cost, but it is worth considering the end benefits to a user. With the high initial investment, it is no wonder users want to know how long these devices can last before requiring a replacement.
On average, iPad Pro, iPads, and iPad Pro 2021 will last 4 to 5 years with good user practices. Among the signals you will receive to indicate the time for replacement include slowness, poor battery capacity, and general hardware wear and tear. However, using your iPad occasionally, deleting unwanted apps, turning off notifications, and adding accessories such as the keyboard may prolong this duration.
