The brand-new OLED iPad Pro is an impressive tablet that brings more power in an even thinner design. Boasting a Tandem OLED display, a powerful M4 chipset, and other upgrades, the 2024 iPad Pro is a true successor to the previous 2022 iPad Pro. That said, Apple silently pushed several changes to the mix, making it harder to know what’s changed and what’s missing. Some features might surprise you, while others may feel like a downgrade. If you’re in the market for a new iPad, you must be aware of lesser-known facts & features about the new 2024 iPad Pro. Here you go!
1. There’s no Ultra-wide Camera
Just like the 2022 iPad Pro, the latest 2024 iPad Pro boasts a 12MP f/1.8 primary camera. However, it lacks the 10MP ultra-wide camera available on the previous iPad Pro M2. This might come as a big surprise, but yes, the M4 iPad Pro has a single-lens rear camera rather than a dual-lens system.
You get a LiDAR, an adaptive True Tone flash, and a digital zoom up to 5x. That said, removing the 10MP ultrawide lens is a big and surprising move by Apple. After all, we’re talking about the company’s top-end iPad Pro model. It’s likely that the ultrawide lens wasn’t utilized much by iPad users. Apple might have thought that most people wouldn’t even notice that the ultrawide camera is missing on the 2024 iPad Pro. Whatever the reason (or excuse), it feels like a downgrade on the top-of-the-line iPad.
If you’re planning to buy a new iPad for photography, it’s a nice idea to consider the 2022 iPad Pro. Also, if you already own one, you can brag about your tablet being better than the latest offering, at least in the camera department.
2. Top Storage Variants Have More RAM and Extra CPU Core
Apple launched all the variants of the 2024 iPad Pro with an insanely-capable M4 chipset. Now, it doesn’t mean all the OLED iPad Pros are created equal. Not every Pro is designed to unleash the full potential of the M4 chipset. The best, cutting-edge experience is reserved for those who opt for a 1TB or 2TB storage variant.
The 256GB and 512GB M4 iPad Pro models feature a 9-core CPU version of the M4 chip, with 6 efficiency and 3 performance cores. Whereas, the 1TB and 2TB models come with an extra, high-performance core of the M4 chip. This brings up to ten cores in total to the 1TB and 2TB models, compared to 9 cores on the lower storage models.
That’s not all. The 1TB and 2TB models offer 16GB RAM, which is twice the 8GB RAM in the other two models. If you wish to experience a top-notch performance as Apple advertised during its event, make sure to get the 1TB or 2TB model of the new iPad Pro. Boasting a starting price of $1,599 and $1,999, these upgrades are pretty expensive too. Also, if you plan to go for nano-texture glass coating on the M4 iPad Pro, you’ll have to pay an additional $100. If you’re a pro user, it’s all worth it.
3. No Physical SIM option
The previous M2 iPad Pro has a non-SIM and an eSIM option. With the OLED iPad Pro, only eSIM is your option. Well, this isn’t a problem; many of you would surely agree here. This is one of the changes the giant had to make to come up with the thinnest iPad ever.
In some countries, Apple already removed the physical SIM trays from iPhones. It’s the first time Apple has done the same with its iPad models, so it’s worth being aware of. If you’re planning to go for a Cellular version of the new iPad Pro or even the M2 iPad Air, make sure to convert your physical SIM into an eSIM. If your network carrier doesn’t support an eSIM, you have to make a switch to enjoy cellular data on your iPad.
4. No Adpater in EU and UK
With the launch of the iPhone 12 in 2020, Apple stopped shipping adapters in the iPhone boxes. Many people assumed that’s the case with iPads too. Well, it wasn’t, until now. With the new 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air models, Apple won’t provide an adapter in the EU and UK. All you would get is a USB-C cable. You can use an existing adapter if you’ve got one, otherwise, you’ll have to buy one separately. And mind it, there are no Apple logo stickers in the box with the new iPad Pro. This might dishearten nerds who like to show off their Apple stickers on their gadgets and other stuff.
5. Supports Lower refresh Rate, Not Always-on Display
Apple has finally embraced the OLED technology on its iPad lineup. Unarguably, the Tandem OLED display on the new iPad Pro comes as a massive upgrade over the LED & mini-LED displays found on the previous models. Also, the new display has a ProMotion technology that allows for adaptive refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz. Yes, the OLED iPad Pro supports a lower refresh rate of 10Hz, compared to the 24Hz on the previous Pros.
Unfortunately, the OLED iPad Pro doesn’t have an Always-on display. The lowest 10Hz refresh rate isn’t low enough to support an always-on display. Likely, the 10Hz refresh rate would cause more battery drain as compared to the 1Hz refresh rate. It’s sad that even with the introduction of the stunning Ultra Retina XDR OLED Display, the Always-on display remains exclusive to Apple Watch and iPhones.
I personally don’t fancy using an Always-on display on my iPhone 14 Pro. I find it distracting. It makes me feel some notifications or phone calls are always waiting for me. Well, you can’t blame me. Apple has made me this way. Anyways, an Always-on display would make a nice addition to the iPad Pro’s large display. Well, we might get to see this next year, maybe.
Bonus
Apple shows creativity, whenever and wherever it can. This is what Apple designers have done with the default wallpaper on the new iPad Pro. The design may seem to be a random splash of colors on a black background. But, that’s not all of it. The wallpaper has an optical illusion that spells an important word- “PRO”. I’m sure Apple superfans with keen vision would have spotted the optical illusion.
Well, this isn’t the first time that Apple has come up with such creativity. It always tries to please its fans with some secret messages.
Did you like the new M4 iPad Pro? Don’t forget to express your views in the comments below.
