iPad Pro M4 Review: The new iPad Pro continues to push the limits of what it can be now and in the future. Although it’s not perfect, there’s a lot to be excited about. In this video, I’ll share my experience with the new iPad Pro, including the new Nano texture glass, design, display, powerful M4 chip, and its confusing accessories.
iPad Pro M4 Review with Detailed Specifications
iPad Pro M4 Thinness:
The new iPads are incredibly thin. The 11-inch model is 5.3 mm thick, and the 13-inch model is 5.1 mm thick, making them the thinnest Apple devices ever, even thinner than the iPod Nano. They look and feel almost impossibly thin and are lighter too. Interestingly, the iPad Air is now heavier than the iPad Pro, adding to the variety in Apple’s iPad lineup.
This slimness is due to the new tandem OLED display, the efficient M4 chip, and a smaller battery that still offers the same battery life as the previous model.
iPad Pro M4 OLED Display:
The new iPad Pro features a tandem OLED technology, a first for Apple. This innovation stacks two OLED panels to boost brightness levels. OLED screens are known for deep blacks and excellent contrast, but they typically struggle with brightness. By using tandem OLED, Apple achieves up to 1,000 nits for standard content and 1,600 nits for HDR, making the display vibrant and suitable for outdoor use even in bright sunlight.
Additionally, Apple introduced a Nano texture matte option for the iPad Pro, similar to the Pro Display XDR used in desktops. This matte version reduces reflections significantly, which is great for usability in various lighting conditions. However, it may slightly compromise sharpness and contrast compared to the glossy display. Despite this, many users, including myself, prefer its anti-reflective properties.
It’s also important to note that this option costs $100 extra and is only available on the highest storage models (1TB and 2TB), indicating it’s aimed at specific user needs rather than being a standard choice. If considering this option, be mindful of potential durability concerns and the specific care required for maintenance.
iPad Pro M4 Apple Pencil Pro:
The Apple Pencil Pro looks almost identical to the Apple Pencil 2, except for the “Pro” label in light gray. It maintains the same color, size, and weight, making them hard to distinguish without looking closely. Priced at $130, it brings several new features.
Find My Support: You can now track your Apple Pencil Pro using the Find My app if it gets lost, which is a handy addition.
Gyroscope: This new feature allows the pencil to detect tilt, adjusting the virtual tool’s angle accordingly. For example, when using a highlighter, the tip changes shape to mimic real-life highlighting.
Virtual Shadow: When hovering over apps like Apple Notes, the Apple Pencil Pro casts a virtual shadow that mimics the tool’s shape, showing off the gyroscope’s capabilities.
Squeeze Functionality: This new interaction lets you squeeze the pencil to trigger shortcuts. In Notes, it brings up the tool pad for selecting colors and pen tips. You can also customize this feature to open other apps.
The Apple Pencil Pro is highly recommended if you have a compatible iPad. Note that it only works with the newer M4 iPad Pro and not with older models or the Apple Pencil 2.
iPad Pro M4 Magic Keyboard:
The new Magic Keyboard is one of my favorite additions to the iPad Pro.The keyboard and trackpad area are now made of aluminum, giving it a more familiar feel similar to MacBooks. The keyboard now includes a function row with media controls, brightness controls, and finally, an Escape key. The trackpad is also larger, which enhances gesture-based controls.
However, the new Magic Keyboard is only compatible with the M4 iPad Pro and costs $350. You cannot use it with older iPad Pro models or use an old Magic Keyboard with the new M4 iPad Pro.
iPad Pro M4 Cameras:
Rear Camera: The rear camera is 12MP with a new image signal processor, supporting 4K video at 60fps. However, the ultra-wide rear camera is gone, replaced by an adaptive true tone flash for better document scanning. Some users might miss the ultra-wide camera, but it seems Apple considered it unnecessary for the iPad.
FaceID Camera: The 12MP FaceID camera has been moved from the portrait orientation to the landscape orientation, making it better for video calls. However, it is slightly off-center. This change was likely made to ensure the Apple Pencil charging area remains symmetrical. While the new placement improves video call orientation, the off-center position might be a minor annoyance.
iPad Pro M4 Processor & Performance:
The 2024 iPad Pro is the first to feature the M4 chip, offering up to 1.5 times faster CPU performance, four times faster GPU, and 1.2 times faster memory bandwidth compared to the M2 version and supports up to 16 GB of RAM and over 1 TB of storage. It also boasts a 16-core neural engine for AI tasks and improved power efficiency, maintaining up to 10 hours of web surfing or video playback.
Creative Tasks: The M4 chip provides significant performance improvements, especially for creative tasks. Whether you’re editing 4K videos, creating thumbnails, or using apps like Affinity Photo, the M4 iPad Pro handles everything swiftly. It exports faster, imports data quicker, and works more efficiently overall. Tasks that used to be slow now get done much faster. If you’re upgrading from older models like the M1 or M2, you’ll see big improvements in how fast it handles things, making the M4 chip a great choice for creative professionals.
Everyday Tasks: If you’re not into making videos, coding, or gaming, you might be wondering if the M4 iPad Pro is worth it for everyday tasks. Compared to the older M1 and M2 models, you won’t see a big speed improvement for regular use. You might notice some small improvements, like being able to keep more apps open without it slowing down. It handles office apps like Excel, PowerPoint, and Word really well, especially when paired with the new magic keyboard. The OLED display makes viewing content clear and vivid. However, for basic tasks and watching 4K videos, it performs about the same as before.
iPad Pro M4 Gaming Performance:
If you enjoy games like Minecraft, GTA 5, Call of Duty, PUBG, and Fortnite, the M4 iPad Pro supports advanced features like Ray tracing. It ensures smooth gameplay with high frame rates and no lag on the M4 model. For casual gaming with Apple Arcade or retro games using emulators like Delta, everything runs smoothly.
You can use Xbox or PlayStation controllers for a better gaming experience. Consider if you really need the 10-20% performance boost compared to older iPads. Overall, the M4 iPad Pro is more efficient, making tasks faster and smoother—an expected improvement in its two-year upgrade cycle for efficiency and performance.
iPad Pro M4 Multitasking:
The M4 iPad Pro introduces improvements with Stage Manager, which I use as my main computer most of the time. Since iPadOS 16, Stage Manager has evolved significantly, particularly in app management. While the M2 and M1 iPad Pro models received updates to enhance performance, the M4 iPad Pro takes it further by allowing smoother management of up to four applications simultaneously in one view, and another four in a side view. This makes it easier to multitask effectively on the iPad Pro screen compared to using an external monitor with previous models.
Although the M1 iPad Pro remains powerful and satisfactory for many tasks, the M4 iPad Pro offers noticeable enhancements in speed and responsiveness, making tasks feel quicker and more responsive.
iPad Pro M4 Speakers & Audio Quality:
The quad speakers on the iPad Pro remain excellent. Despite the thinner design, they still deliver impressive sound quality. The bass is strong, the volume is ample, and the audio remains clear even at high levels without distortion. Whether you’re listening to music, taking a FaceTime call, or enjoying a podcast, the speakers offer a satisfying experience.
iPad Pro M4 Battery Specifications:
- iPad Pro 11″: Has a built-in rechargeable lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 31.29 watt-hours.
- iPad Pro 13″: Features a built-in rechargeable lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 38.99 watt-hours.
iPad Pro M4 Faster Charging:
One improvement on the M4 iPad Pro is faster charging, although Apple didn’t highlight this explicitly. Users can now use higher wattage chargers, which can charge the device more quickly. Reports suggest it supports charging with higher wattage adapters, ranging from around 40 to 60 watts, compared to the previous maximum of 33 watts. This upgrade you can recharge quicker and the battery lasts longer than before.
Quick Overview of iPad Pro M4
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Display | Comes with 11″ & 13″ Tandem OLED and Ultra Retina XDR display, 264 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits SDR brightness, 1000 nits XDR brightness and 1600 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | Apple M4 chip |
| Operating System | iPadOS 17 |
| Memory | 8GB/16GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB |
| Camera | Rear Camera: 12MP Wide camera Front Camera: Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide camera |
| Battery | iPad Pro 11″: 31.29 watt-hours battery iPad Pro 13″: 38.99-watt-hour battery |
iPad Pro M4 Price:
The 11-inch iPad Pro base model costs Rs. 99,990, while the 13-inch iPad Pro is priced at Rs. 1,49,990 on Amazon.
Comparing the New iPad Pro with Older Models:
When you compare the new iPad Pro directly with older models, you’ll notice how much thinner and lighter it feels when you hold it. The slight reduction in weight makes it easier to carry in a backpack and more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
One subtle change is the removal of the ultrawide lens from the new iPad Pro. While some might not mind this, it’s worth noting if you use the camera frequently.
A major update is the new display technology. The iPad Pro now uses OLED technology, specifically a “tandem OLED” which has two overlaid displays, doubling the brightness. This is a key reason to choose an iPad Pro over an iPad Air.
And another major update is its latest M4 chip.
Despite the high price, which is comparable to a laptop, the new iPad Pro’s features, particularly the display, are appealing for professionals, especially those in video production who are accustomed to spending a lot on high-quality monitors.
Overall, the Apple iPad Pro M4 impresses with its thin and lightweight design, vibrant OLED display, and enhanced performance thanks to the M4 chip. It’s a top choice for creative professionals needing powerful tools on the go.