I don't think this qualifies. You have to use bespoke tools end environments to be able to code in a very limited fashion.

I think a lot of people can get by just fine with SSH/mosh, vim, tmux... I did this for a bit but actually run vs code-server a lot too.

That setup requires you to always have internet. It also requires you to have a remote PC somewhere where you develop. The Ipad is little more then a screen in that case. In contrast I use a Surface Pro and I don't even have a desktop PC.

That's the difference between these devices. One is a fully fledged computer where you can do whatever you want on it. The other is a glorified teletype terminal. It's fine that the iPad Pro isn't a fully functional computing device but the thing that is wrong is Apply positioning it as such.