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iPad Pro Q&A
Published May 18, 2024
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What are all the differences between the current iPad Pro M4 11" and iPad Pro M4 13"? Which is for me?
After many years of awkwardly releasing iPad Pro models with different display sizes that technically are referred to as different generations, Apple finally broke from this pattern in 2024. The company identifies these iPad Pro models much more logically by display size (11" or 13") and processor (M4).
You may see these models called the iPad Pro "7th Gen" series in some places online, but EveryMac.com is eager to toss this difficult to follow nominclature entirely and happily refers to them as the iPad Pro M4 line.
After long keeping the smaller iPad Pro at least slightly inferior to its larger brother in some way, Apple also brought the two tablets into parity in 2024 and the iPad Pro M4 models are the same except for physical size, connectivity, and price. It is still worthwhile to evaluate these differences, as well as the significant similarities.
Specifically, there also are three different iPad Pro M4 models of each display size, too.
EveryMac.com formally documents the 11" models as the iPad Pro M4 11" (Wi-Fi Only), M4 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M4 11" (Wi-Fi+Cell China) and the 13" models as the iPad Pro M4 13" (Wi-Fi Only), M4 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell), and M4 13" (Wi-Fi+Cell China).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Pro M4 Models -- 11" and 13")
Device Differences
Of course, the 11" iPad Pro models are physically smaller and weigh less than the larger 13" models, but both share the same overall design -- a glass front with a narrow bezel around the edge, an aluminum back, and flat sides with rounded corners. Case color options include a black front with either a silver colored or darker "Space Gray" back.
Both have impressive displays of the same quality -- an "Ultra Retina XDR" display (264 ppi) with "Tandem OLED" backlighting that uses two OLED panels and combines the light from both for increased brightness; "ProMotion" technology, which provides adaptive refresh rates from 10 Hz to 120 Hz; supports Wide-color (P3); and True Tone technology, which evaluates the color temperature and ambient brightness of your surroundings and dynamically adjusts the display's white balance to match.
The Ultra Retina XDR display in both models provide an SDR brightness of 1000 nits max, XDR brightness of 1000 nits max full screen and 1600 nits peak brightness for HDR content); and have a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
As you would expect, the 11" iPad Pro M4 display is physically smaller (2420x1668), whereas the 13" iPad Pro M4 display is larger (2752x2064). Either size, if configured with 1 TB or 2 TB of storage also can be upgraded at the time of purchase with "Nano-texture glass" for reduced glare for an additional US$100 premium over the standard options.
All iPad Pro M4 tablets are compatible with a new Apple Pencil Pro (A2538, MX2D3AM/A) and new, size and device-specific Apple Magic Keyboard 11" (M4) and Apple Magic Keyboard 13" (M4) options.
The Apple Pencil Pro adds support for some slick new features -- "barrel roll," which changes the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools by simply rotating the pencil in your fingers; "squeeze", which opens a palette to switch tools by squeezing the sides; "haptic feedback," which pulsates a bit when you tap and squeeze; and "Find My" capability to track down the Apple Pencil Pro using the corresponding app if you misplace it.
Although they have different internal parts, the iPad Pro M4 models all are powered by a 4.4 GHz Apple M4 processor, a 10-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, and 120 GB/s of memory bandwidth. If configured with 256 GB or 512 GB of storage, these models are equipped with 9 processor cores (3 performance; 6 efficiency) and 8 GB of onboard RAM. If these models are configured with 1 TB or 2 TB of storage, they also are equipped with 10 processor cores (4 performance; 6 efficiency) and 16 GB of onboard RAM.
All of the iPad Pro M4 models have front and rear cameras. The front camera is a landscape oriented, 12 megapixel "TrueDepth" camera that shoots 1080p video, supports the "Center Stage" feature that automatically pans and zooms to keep subjects in frame, and "Face ID" authentication. The rear camera is a single 12 megapixel "Wide" camera that shoots 4K.
Other features that the iPad Pro M4 models all share include LiDAR, a Thunderbolt / USB 4 port for power and advanced connectivity, 802.11ax with 2x2 MIMO (Wi-Fi 6E) on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies (simultaneous dual band) and Bluetooth 5.3. They each have four microphones and a four speaker system, as well. Cellular-capable models all support 5G, although, curiously, the iPad Pro M4 models do not support mmWave.
iPadOS Support Similarities
The iPad Pro M4 models all initially ship with iPadOS 17.5 (21F84). They are compatible with the latest version of the operating system.
Identification Differences
It essentially is impossible to use visual identification for different iPad Pro models and definitely impossible to visually differentiate between models within the same line that have different cellular capabilities.
Accordingly, one of the best ways to identify the iPad Pro M4 models is via Model Number; externally displayed toward the bottom on the back of each device:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
The 11" and 13" iPad Pro M4 models released in 2024 also can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number. The Order Number can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the Wi-Fi+Cellular configuration of the iPad Pro M4 13" in Silver with 1 TB of storage is MVXX3LL/A.
To track down an exact iPad Pro by a variety of different identifiers, please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.
Connectivity & Battery Life Differences
While using Wi-Fi, the iPad Pro M4 models provide up to of ten hours of runtime, whereas the cellular configurations only provide up to nine hours of runtime when using a cellular connection.
None of the iPad Pro M4 models support 5G mmWave, but add new support for bands n75 and n76. They support the same 5G bands regardless of where they are sold:
iPad Pro |
Model No |
5G |
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 |
||
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 |
All cellular iPad Pro models ship unlocked. In the United States, the applicable tablets work with all carriers, but some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network.
All of the cellular-capable iPad Pro M4 models have eSIM capability and do not support a physical SIM card, even the models sold in mainland China.
iPad Pro M4 Comparison Chart
The above differences between the 11" iPad Pro M4 and the 13" iPad Pro M4 -- as well as US pricing details -- are summarized below:
 11" iPad Pro M4 |
 13" iPad Pro M4 |
|
| Display Size: | 11" | 13" |
| Display Type: | Ultra Retina XDR | Ultra Retina XDR |
| Backlight: | Tandem OLED | Tandem OLED |
| Resolution: | 2420x1668 | 2752x2064 |
| Processor Cores: | 9, 10 | 9, 10 |
| RAM: | 8 GB; 16 GB | 8 GB; 16 GB |
| Storage Capacity: | 256, 512 GB; 1, 2 TB |
256, 512 GB; 1, 2 TB |
| 5G LTE: | Yes | Yes |
| mmWave: | No | No |
| Front Camera: | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Center Stage: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Camera: | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Video Recording: | 4K | 4K |
| ProRes: | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt / USB 4: | Yes | Yes |
| Face ID: | Yes | Yes |
| LiDAR: | Yes | Yes |
| eSIM: | Embedded | Embedded |
| SIM Card: | None | None |
| Original iPadOS: | 17.5 | 17.5 |
| Maximum iPadOS: | Current | Current |
| Color Options: | Silver Gray |
Silver Gray |
| Battery: | 31.29 W Hr | 38.99 W Hr |
| Height: | 9.83 in. | 11.09 |
| Width: | 6.99 in. | 8.48 in. |
| Depth/Thinness: | 0.21 in. | 0.20 in. |
| Weight: | 0.98 lbs. | 1.28 lb. |
| Magic Keyboard: | Small | Large |
| Apple Pencil Pro: | Yes | Yes |
| Original Price (Wi-Fi): | US$999, US$1199, US$1599, US$1999 | US$1299, US$1499, US$1899, US$2299 |
| Original Price (5G): | US$1199, US$1399, US$1799, US$2199 | US$1499, US$1699, US$2099, US$2499 |
For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPad as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPad.com.
So, which of the iPad Pro M4 models is best for my needs?
Compared to earlier years, where the decision could be more challenging because the smaller model was also lacking in some way compared to its larger contemporary, the decision between iPad Pro M4 models simply comes down to size and price.
If you are on a tight budget, any other iPad (or a used iPad Pro) would be cheaper and a better option, but the 11" iPad Pro M4 models cost US$300 less when otherwise identically equipped and are more convenient to transport.
The 13" iPad Pro M4 models are larger and are so thin and light that they are not exactly difficult to carry around, either. Personally, we prefer the 11" iPad Pro M4, but this is very much a personal decision. If you have the funds available, you really can't go wrong with either size.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurb iPad Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City may have used iPad Pro models in stock, as well. All Macs and devices are available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).
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