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The recent unveiling of the 2024 lineup may have tempted you to get yourself a new M4 iPad Pro. After all, it has been hailed as Apple’s thinnest product ever.
But before you get swept away by it’s fancy M4 chip and sleek space black colour, consider whether it’s actually right for you. Especially if the last generation iPad Pro 2022 suites your needs just as well.
In this article, we will compare the new iPad Pro 2024 with it’s 6th generation predecessor, the M3 iPad Pro 2022 and ask the question: is it worth upgrading to the latest iPad Pro?
Design and Dimensions
The most immediately noticeable changes in the iPad Pro 2024 is its slimmer and more compact design.
The 2022 model has a width of 5.9mm and 6.4mm whereas the Pro 2024 sheds the heft of its predecessor. The new models measure 5.1mm and 5.3mm for the 13-inch and 11-inch variants, respectively, making them Apple’s thinnest devices ever.
This reduction in thickness is complemented by a decrease in weight, with the 13-inch iPad Pro (2024) weighing 1.28 pounds (579 grams), a 15% drop from the 1.5-pound (682 grams) iPad Pro (2022).
Apple has also repositioned the front-facing camera for the Pro, moving it from the shorter, portrait-oriented side to the longer, landscape-oriented edge. This change is intended to ensure a more flattering angle for video calls, a welcome improvement for those who frequently use their iPad Pro for zoom calls.
Whilst the weight is only a little lighter, the thinness and camera placement make the 2024 a much more attractive option if you’re on the go a lot and make a lot of zoom calls.
However, the 2022 does more than enough for the job. The wide camera is 4k, and it’s not exactly the heaviest tablet on the planet. So whilst the slimness of the Pro 2024 is an interesting development, don’t let this be a major game changer for you.
Display
When it comes to the iPad Pro 2022 vs 2024 the display has had an upgrade.
Bidding farewell to the LCD and mini-LED, Apple has new display technology: Tandem OLED. It combines two OLED panels, resulting in a display that is supposed to offer the deep blacks and vibrant colours synonymous with OLED but also achieves a peak brightness of 1,000 nits – a significant upgrade over the 600 nits of the previous generation.
The inclusion of ProMotion technology, with its 120Hz refresh rate, intends to further enhance the fluidity of on-screen interactions and animations.
Apple is also offering a nano-texture glass option for the iPad Pro (2024), a feature previously reserved for its high-end Pro Display XDR. This specialized coating helps to reduce glare and reflections.
So if you want to work outside or require a more vivid and bright display for editing or design, then the Pro 2024 is a better option than the 2022 alternative.
However, the M2 2022 model has been working well for graphic designers and editors alike. Especially with the release of Procreate Dreams for digital artists, which works great on the previous Pro, although you can’t use the new Apple Pencil in conjunction with the M2 model.
The M4 vs M2 Chip
Under the hood, the iPad Pro 2024 has undergone a generational leap, trading the M2 chip of its predecessor for the brand-new M4 silicon.
Whilst the M2 chip on the iPad Pro 6th generation worked well for creative professionals, the M4 is a step forward, boasting a 9- or 10-core CPU configuration, up from the 8-core setup of the M2.
Apple claims the M4 is 50% faster than the M2 chip used in the 2022 model.
The M4 chip also introduces hardware-accelerated ray tracing, an addition that promises to change the way creative professionals approach 3D rendering and visual effects.
The performance gains extend beyond the CPU, with the M4 also offering a substantial increase in memory bandwidth, up from 100GB/s in the M2 to 120GB/s. This enhanced throughput, combined with the chip’s improved thermal design, ensures that the iPad Pro 2024 can tackle demanding tasks, from 8K video editing to complex 3D modelling and beyond.
Interestingly, Apple has also made a distinction in the M4 chip configurations based on storage tiers. The 1TB and 2TB models benefit from 16GB of RAM, while the 256GB and 512GB variants make do with a 9-core CPU and 8GB of RAM. For creatives, the more storage- the better. Not just for storage-sucking workloads, but for future-proofing your device.
The M4 chip is exciting, especially since the Final Cut Pro app has now been newly updated to Final Cut Pro 2. Rendering speeds will be much faster, making life easier for creative professionals.
Plus, gamers will appreciate the chip upgrade more as according to Apple, the M4 chip offers the same performance ability to the M2 chip but consumes only half the power, as reported by The Verge.
Battery Life and Charging
One area where the iPad Pro (2024) maintains parity with its 2022 counterpart is in battery life and charging capabilities. Apple’s official estimates indicate that both the 11-inch and 13-inch models will provide up to 10 hours of battery life when browsing the web or watching videos over a Wi-Fi connection, or 9 hours when using a cellular network.
The charging experience also remains unchanged, with the tablet continuing to utilize USB-C connectivity for wired power delivery.
Notably, the rumor of a glass-backed iPad Pro with wireless charging capabilities have not materialized in the 2024 models, leaving the familiar aluminum unibody design intact.
Accessories
The iPad Pro (2024) also ushers in an upgrade to its accompanying accessories, with the introduction of the new Magic Keyboard which Apple claims will make “the entire experience feel just like using a MacBook”. The Magic Keyboard retains the floating design and magnetic attachment and features enhancements that bring it closer to the experience of a traditional laptop.
Most notably, the new Magic Keyboard now has a full-size function row, complete with dedicated keys for screen brightness, media controls, and an escape button.
The trackpad has also been enlarged, now offering a more spacious surface for precise cursor control and gesture-based navigation. Haptic feedback further enhances the typing experience, providing a more responsive and satisfying feel reminiscent of Apple’s latest MacBook lineup.
Complementing the Magic Keyboard is the new Apple Pencil Pro.
A new sensor in the Pencil’s barrel enables a squeeze gesture, allowing users to quickly access tool palettes or customize shortcuts within compatible apps. The addition of haptic feedback and a built-in gyroscope further refine the precision and responsiveness of the stylus.
Unfortunately the new Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard does not work with the 2022 iPad models. So a 2022 Pro user would have to stick to the keyboard made from microfiber-esque material and get by with physically clicking a trackpad, as well as the older Apple Pencil generations.
Camera and Audio
While the iPad Pro (2024) may not be a camera-centric device, Apple has made a few changes to the tablet’s imaging capabilities. The most significant alteration is the removal of the ultrawide camera on the rear, leaving a single 12MP wide-angle lens.
Apple has also introduced a new feature in the form of an Adaptive True Tone flash. This t system can detect and compensate for any shadows cast by the user, making it easier to capture clear, well-lit images when scanning documents or capturing whiteboard content.
On the audio front, the iPad Pro 2024 and Pro 2022 retains the quad-speaker setup of its predecessor. But the Pro has 5 microphones instead of the 4. However, this shouldn’t make a major difference in the M4 Pro’s abilities.
But camera probably won’t come into your decision making much, seeing as most people will take videos and photos on their smartphone.
But is a nicer angle is important to you, the Pro 2024 is your best bet.
Pricing and Availability
With all the enhancements and upgrades, it should come as no surprise that the iPad Pro (2024) carries a higher price tag compared to its predecessor.
The 11-inch model now starts at $999/ £999, a $200 increase over the 2022 iPad Pro, and $1,199/ £1,199 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. The 13-inch variant begins at $1,299/ £1299, also $200 more than the previous generation, and $1,499/ £1,499 for Wi-Fi + Cellular.
This price hike extends to the accompanying accessories as well.
The new Magic Keyboard, for instance, will set you back $299/ £299 for the 11-inch model and $349/ £349 for the 13-inch variant.
The Apple Pencil Pro, while not exclusive to the 2024 iPad Pro, also carries a $129/ £129 price tag, the same as the standard Apple Pencil (2nd generation) that was compatible with the 2022 models.
Upgrading Considerations: Is It Worth the Leap?
For users who are content with the performance and features of the 2022 iPad Pro, the improvements in the latest iteration may not be compelling enough to warrant the price hike.
However, for those seeking the absolute pinnacle of tablet technology, the iPad Pro (2024) is an intriguing upgrade. The Tandem OLED display, the latest M4 chip, and the refined accessory ecosystem all combine to create a tablet for top creative professionals with demanding workloads.
Additionally, the slimmer and lighter design and accessories can make a noticeable difference in everyday usability and productivity.
It’s worth noting that the M2 iPad Pro 2022 remains a highly capable device, and for many users, the performance gap between the two generations may not be immediately noticeable in day-to-day tasks. Plus, it’s been an industry standard device since it’s release so really consider whether the upgrades are worth it for you.
Whatever you decide, you’ll have a great tablet!
What do you think?
What are your thoughts on the two iPad Pro’s?
Leave us a comment down below.
FAQS: iPad Pro 2022 vs 2024
Q. What are the main differences between the iPad Pro 2022 and 2024 models?
A. The iPad Pro 2024 features a slimmer and more compact design, a Tandem OLED display with ProMotion technology, and an upgraded M4 chip compared to the 2022 model.
Q. How does the display of the iPad Pro 2024 differ from the 2022 model?
A. The iPad Pro 2024 introduces Tandem OLED display technology, offering deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, compared to the LCD and mini-LED displays of the 2022 model.
Q. What improvements does the M4 chip bring to the iPad Pro 2024 compared to the M2 chip in the 2022 model?
A. The M4 chip offers a 9- or 10-core CPU configuration, 50% faster performance than the M2 chip, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and increased memory bandwidth, enhancing tasks like 8K video editing and 3D rendering.
Q. Are there any notable changes in battery life and charging between the iPad Pro 2022 and 2024?
A. Both models provide up to 10 hours of battery life and utilize USB-C connectivity for charging, maintaining parity in this aspect.
Q. How do the accessories for the iPad Pro 2024 differ from those of the 2022 model?
A. The iPad Pro 2024 introduces an upgraded Magic Keyboard with a full-size function row and an improved trackpad, along with the new Apple Pencil Pro featuring innovative features like haptic feedback and a built-in gyroscope.
Q. What considerations should users weigh when deciding whether to upgrade to the iPad Pro 2024 from the 2022 model?
A. Users should consider factors such as their specific needs, workflow requirements, and the perceived value of the new features and improvements offered by the iPad Pro 2024 compared to the 2022 model.
