Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) Review

The 2024 Apple iPad Pro 13-inch is a powerhouse tablet designed for professionals and creatives. It features the new M4 chip, an OLED display, and advanced accessories. Priced at £1,299, this model promises top-tier performance and an unparalleled user experience. But does it deliver?

Design and Build

The iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) showcases a sleek, ultra-thin design, measuring just 5.1mm in thickness and weighing 579 grams. Available in Silver and Space Black, it is notably thinner and lighter than its predecessors, making it exceptionally portable for a device of its size. The front-facing camera has been repositioned to the landscape edge, improving the video call experience when using a keyboard.

Display

The 13-inch iPad Pro features an OLED display, branded as the Ultra Retina XDR display. This screen offers remarkable brightness, reaching up to 1,600 nits for HDR content and 1,000 nits for SDR. The 120Hz refresh rate, which can dynamically adjust down to 10Hz, ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The OLED technology provides excellent contrast and deep blacks, enhancing the overall visual experience​.

Performance

Equipped with the M4 chip, the iPad Pro delivers impressive performance. The base model includes a 9-core CPU and 10-core GPU, while higher storage variants feature a 10-core CPU. The M4 chip provides up to 1.5x the CPU performance and 4x the rendering capability compared to the M2. This makes the tablet exceptionally powerful for multitasking, content creation, and gaming. It also supports advanced features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading.

Camera

The iPad Pro 13-inch includes a 12MP main rear camera and a LiDAR scanner, which are suitable for photography and augmented reality applications. The front camera, also 12MP, supports Center Stage for improved video calls. Notably, the new design places the front camera on the long edge, optimising it for landscape use during video calls.

Battery Life and Charging

The tablet boasts a robust battery life of up to 10 hours of regular use. It charges via a Thunderbolt/USB-C port, which also supports high-speed data transfers and connectivity with external displays up to 6K resolution​.

Features and Usability

The 2024 iPad Pro is compatible with the new Magic Keyboard, which includes a function row and an expanded glass trackpad. The updated Apple Pencil Pro features haptic feedback and enhanced gestures, making it a valuable tool for artists and designers. The tablet runs on iPadOS, which, while powerful, has been critiqued for not fully leveraging the hardware’s potential​.

Comparisons

Compared to the 2022 model, the 2024 iPad Pro offers a thinner and lighter design, an upgraded OLED display, and significantly improved performance due to the M4 chip. However, the new model does lose the ultra-wide rear camera present in the 2022 version, which might be a drawback for some users.

Value for Money

Starting at £1,299 for the 13-inch model at launch, the iPad Pro is positioned in the high-end market segment. Its price reflects the advanced features and top-tier performance, making it a worthwhile investment for professionals who need a powerful and versatile tablet.

Conclusion

The 2024 Apple iPad Pro 13-inch is an impressive upgrade, delivering exceptional performance, a stunning display, and a sleek design. While it is priced at a premium, its capabilities make it a top choice for power users and creatives.

Pros:

• Ultra-thin and lightweight design
• High-performance M4 chip
• Excellent OLED display
• Improved front camera placement

Cons:

• High price
• Missing ultra-wide rear camera

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

For more perspectives on this, why not try TechRadar or MacRumors​?