After a year’s gap, Apple has finally updated the iPad Pro, with a surprise M4 debut and OLED in the spotlight for 2024. Here’s how the newest iPad Pro models compare against the previous generation.
After a year’s gap, Apple has finally updated the iPad Pro, with a surprise M4 debut and OLED in the spotlight for 2024. Here’s how the newest iPad Pro models compare against the previous generation.
The iPad was complete absent from 2023, with the only change being to add USB-C to the Apple Pencil. Instead, consumers had to purchase iPad Pro models that were introduced in October 2022.
That one-year gap has given Apple time to make quite a few changes to its highest-tier tablet lineup. The result is its 2024 releases.
This is beyond a typical spec-bump update. Apple has refined many aspects of the flagship tablet line, and made some unexpected changes.
This is what to look for when checking out the changes between the M2 and the M4 generation of iPad Pro.
2024 iPad Pro vs 2022 iPad Pro – Specifications2024 iPad Pro vs 2022 iPad Pro – Design and appearance
The 2022 iPad Pro consists of 12.9-inch and 11-inch models, much like the previous two generations. Combining a recycled aluminum enclosure with flat sides and an edge-to-edge display, it has an industrial aesthetic that is unmistakably iPad Pro.
Fpr 2024, the iPad Pro is still using pretty much the same core design. There are still some noticeable differences, such as the camera module layout on the back.
In terms of overall dimensions, the 11-inch iPad Pro from 2022 measures 9.74 inches long by 7.02 inches. The 12-inch is 11.04 inches long and 8.46 inches wide.
The 2024 editions are slightly different. The 9.83 by 6.99-inch footprint of the 11-inch model is marginally longer and narrower overall.
The 13-inch version is just a bit larger overall, at 11.09 inches by 8.46 inches.
You’ve probably already spotted that the name of the 13-inch model has slightly changed from the 12.9-inch of the previous generation. Functionally speaking, this is only a marginal difference.
The older models are 0.23 and 0.25 inches thick, respective of their sizes. The newer ones are quite a bit thinner, with the 11-inch at 0.21 inches and the 13-inch even thinner at 0.20 inches.
The 2022 models weighed the same as their 2021 counterparts, namely 1.5 pounds for the 12.9-inch model and 1.03 pounds for the 11-inch version.
Along with dimensional changes, Apple also put its 2024 models on a diet. The 11-inch weighs in at 0.98 pounds, with the 13-inch at 1.28 pounds.
While the 11-inch weight difference is small enough to be ignorable, the 13-inch change isn’t. This will certainly help make the larger iPad Pro more portable for users.
M4 iPad Pro
Get up to $100 off and $30 off optional AppleCare with promo code APINSIDER at Adorama.com.2024 iPad Pro vs 2022 iPad Pro – Displays
Despite being the same product family, the 2022 iPad Pro models have very different displays, beyond the sizes.
The 11-inch Liquid Retina screen uses the traditional LED backlighting system, while the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR uses mini LED backlighting. The difference of using thousands of mini LEDs and 2,596 local dimming zones gives the 12.9-inch OLED-like performance for a lower overall cost.
For 2024, Apple changed both iPad Pro displays to the often-rumored OLED Ultra Retina XDR screens. Referred to as Tandem OLED, Apple stacks a pair of OLED panels on top of each other.
This allows the new iPad Pro models to have sensational brightness and a considerable dynamic range.
The 2022 11-inch manages 600 nits of brightness, with the 12.9-inch getting up to 1,000 nits for full-screen content, 1,600 at peak for HDR content. There’s also better color representation on the larger screen.
Thanks to its new system, Apple claims the 2024 versions can go to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness and 1,600 nits of peak brightness for HDR content. It also does do by doubling the contrast ratio from 1,000,00:1 to 2,000,000:1.
The 2022 models also had fairly standard resolutions of 2,388 by 1,886 and 2,732 by 2,048 for the two sizes respectively, which works out to be a pixel density of 264ppi apiece.
That 264ppi is maintained for 2024, but with marginally higher resolutions. The 11-inch shifts up to 2,420 by 1,668, and the 13-inch goes to 2,752 by 2,064 pixels.
All of the models also have support for Wide Color (P3), True Tone, and ProMotion.
„Hover,“ a feature of the Apple Pencil 2 that allowed the iPad to detect the tip up to 12mm away, resurfaces in both generations. However, the newer models also include support for the Apple Pencil Pro’s new features, including a squeezing gesture and a barrel-roll gesture (the Apple Pencil Pro can be ordered at Amazon).
