Design and Build

The iPad Pro M4 (2024) has two sizes, 11-in and 13-in, both feature an ultra-thin aluminum chassis. The dimensions of the 11-in are 9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21-in (249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm) and it weighs in at 0.98 pounds (444g Wi-Fi, 446g Cellular); the 13-in is 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20-in (281.5 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm) and weighs 1.28 pounds (579g Wi-Fi, 582g Cellular). It is currently available in Silver and Space Black color options, has Face ID on the top, no Home button, and supports Apple Pencil Pro through a magnetic connector. There is no official IP rating, meaning it’s not water resistant (at least not rated) or completely dust resistant (dust resistance unknown). The USB-C port (Thunderbolt 4, 40 Gbps) allows users to connect to external displays. Users have generally praised the design, but have lamented the chassis being thin flexes slightly when enough pressure is applied.

• Aluminum chassis, ultra-thin
• Face ID, no Home button
• USB-C (Thunderbolt 4, 40 Gbps)
• Supports Apple Pencil Pro, 2nd-gen Pencil
• No water/dust resistance

Display

The iPad Pro M4 features an Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED display, available in 11-in (2420 x 1668, 264 PPI) or 13-in (2752 x 2064, 264 PPI), with 120Hz ProMotion and True Tone, P3 wide color, and brightness of 1000 nits (1600 peak HDR). The optional nano-texture glass reduces glare (in the 1TB/2TB models). It is the first iPad with OLED display technology! This means deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, but just be aware that if you use the option for nano-texture glass, the display overall will be slightly less clear due to some softening effect caused by its texture. Either way, this display will completely demolish the Mini 7’s 60hz refresh rate with a much smoother scrolling experience with 120hz fresh rate.

• 11-inch or 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED
• 2420 x 1668 (11-inch), 2752 x 2064 (13-inch), 264 PPI
• 1000 nits (1600 nits HDR)
• 120Hz ProMotion, True Tone, P3
• Nano-texture glass option (1TB/2TB)

Performance and Software

The M4 iPad Pro is powered by the Apple M4 chip (3nm, 9-core or 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) with 8GB RAM (256GB / 512GB) or 16GB RAM (1TB / 2TB). The options for storage capacity are 256GB ($999 / $1299), 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage, respectively. The tablet runs iPadOS 17 (upgradable to iPadOS 18), it is also AI-enabled, and has a software support guarantee up until ~2030. Its performance is ~50% faster than that of an M2 iPad Pro, which means that it can run needy editing and gaming software like a breeze, but some people say that such power is a little bit over the top for the existing iPadOS.

• Apple M4 chip, 9/10-core CPU, 10-core GPU
• 8GB/16GB RAM
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
• iPadOS 17 (up to iPadOS 18)
• Apple Intelligence support

The M4 is a beast, but iPadOS doesn’t fully utilize its potential, frustrating professionals needing desktop-like workflows. It’s ideal for creatives but overpriced for casual users.

Camera System

M4 iPad Pro is equipped with a 12MP rear camera (f/1.8, 5x digital zoom) and quad-LED flash, and a 12MP ultra-wide front camera (f/2.4, 122° FOV) with CenterStage feature. For the video, the model allows 4K 60fps recording (rear, ProRes) and 1080p 60fps (front). The LiDAR sensor takes the AR experience to a new level. Although the images are good, the tablet's low-light shooting is nothing exceptional. For the video the camera performs nicely.

• Rear: 12MP (f/1.8, 5x digital zoom), LiDAR
• Front: 12MP Ultra-wide (f/2.4, 122° FOV)
• Video: 4K 60fps (rear, ProRes), 1080p 60fps (front)
• Features: Center Stage, Smart HDR 4, quad-LED flash

Battery and Charging

The M4 iPad Pro offers all-day battery life, designed to support high-performance tasks without frequent recharging. It charges via a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, which supports fast charging when used with a compatible adapter. The device is optimized for efficiency, ensuring smooth multitasking, media editing, and extended use on a single charge.

• 7606mAh (11-inch), 10320mAh (13-inch)
• ~12 hours video playback, 10–12 hours real-world
• 30W wired charging (50% in ~45 min)
• No wireless charging
• 20W USB-C charger included

Connectivity

The M4 iPad Pro is compatible with Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, and 5G (sub-6GHz, mmWave for US carriers only) if you pay an extra fee for the cellular model ($1199+). Cellular model features include eSIM and GPS (A-GPS, GLONASS on cellular). The Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, with 6K, provides a way to add a professional-grade monitor. Satisfying the users of the device is the most effective feature of Wi-Fi; at the same time, subscribers can complain about the prices charged for the cellular devices.

• Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
• Bluetooth 5.3
• 5G (sub-6GHz, mmWave US-only, cellular models)
• eSIM
• GPS: A-GPS, GLONASS (cellular)
• Thunderbolt 4 USB-C

Pricing and Availability

The iPad Pro M4 costs $999 for the 11-inch, 256GB Wi-Fi model and $1299 for the 13-inch, 256GB Wi-Fi model at the initial launch. The device went on sale on May 15, 2024, following the beginning of pre-orders on May 7, 2024, via Apple and various other outlets. Cellular versions of the iPad, except for the storage (>1TB) can be obtained by paying for nano-texture glass (an extra cost of $200). Discounts can bring down the price to $899–$1199. Though the M2 iPad Pro is cheaper ($799) it does not have OLED and an M4 processor.