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Analysis and Review of Apple's New M4 iPad Pro

GOOVER DAILY REPORT 6/8/2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Introduction
  2. Introduction to M4 iPad Pro
  3. Hardware and Design
  4. Performance Enhancements
  5. Battery Life
  6. Camera and Imaging
  7. Accessories
  8. Market Reception and Criticism
  9. Unique Features and Omissions
  10. Glossary
  11. Conclusion
  12. Source Documents

1. Introduction

  • This report delves into the new features, enhancements, and specifications of Apple's latest M4 iPad Pro, as announced during the Let Loose event on May 7th, 2024.

2. Introduction to M4 iPad Pro

  • 2-1. Announcement and Overview

  • On May 7th, 2024, during Apple's Let Loose event, the company unveiled the new M4 iPad Pro. This release marks the most significant update since the design revamp in 2018. With the introduction of the M4 chip, Apple has also incorporated an OLED display for both the 11-inch and 13-inch models, a change that unifies the lineup with consistent screen technology which was previously mixed with LCD and miniLED options. The smaller iPad Pro boasts a thickness of only 5.3mm, while the larger model is even thinner at 5.1mm. Both models are available in silver and space black. Apple has branded this OLED display as the Ultra Retina XDR, highlighting features such as perfect black, infinite contrast, lower weight, a thinner profile, and best-in-class performance. It also offers comparable performance to miniLED in terms of HDR, color, brightness, and power consumption, with normal usage brightness reaching 1,000 nits and up to 1,600 nits for HDR content. Additionally, users can opt for a nano-texture glass version.

3. Hardware and Design

  • 3-1. OLED Ultra Retina XDR Display

  • The new M4 iPad Pro features an OLED display, termed as Ultra Retina XDR by Apple. This display technology offers perfect black, infinite contrast, and improved HDR capabilities. The tandem OLED option has been introduced for both the 11-inch and 13-inch models, replacing the previous LCD and miniLED options. The display achieves 1,000 nits in normal usage and up to 1,600 nits with HDR content, providing bright and vibrant visuals.

  • 3-2. Thinner and Lighter Design

  • Apple’s latest iPad Pro models are notably thinner and lighter than their predecessors. The 11-inch model is 5.3 mm thick, and the 13-inch model is just 5.1 mm thick. This makes them Apple's thinnest products ever. These dimensions are a significant reduction from the previous models, ensuring better portability and ease of use.

  • 3-3. Nano-texture Glass Option

  • A new nano-texture glass option is available for the 1TB and 2TB models of the M4 iPad Pro. This option helps reduce glare, enhancing visibility in outdoor environments or under direct lighting. This option is particularly noted for being a helpful feature for users who frequently use their devices in bright conditions.

  • 3-4. Available Colors: Silver and Space Black

  • The new iPad Pro offers two color options: Silver and Space Black. These colors provide a sleek and professional look, aligning with the high-end design and aesthetic appeal of the device.

  • 3-5. Size and Weight Comparisons

  • In comparison to previous models, the new iPad Pro is thinner and lighter. The 11-inch model weighs 444 grams, while the 13-inch model weighs 579 grams. For context, the 13-inch iPad Air 6 is 6.1 mm thick and weighs 617 grams. The older 12.9-inch iPad Pro model had a profile of 6.4 mm and weighed 682 grams. These significant reductions in size and weight make the M4 iPad Pro more portable and user-friendly.

4. Performance Enhancements

  • 4-1. M4 Chip with Second-Generation 3nm Technology

  • The new iPad Pro features the M4 chip, developed with second-generation 3nm technology. This technological advancement allows the M4 chip to deliver substantial performance improvements while maintaining power efficiency. This enhancement is pivotal as it offers up to 50% faster CPU performance compared to the M2, with its 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores.

  • 4-2. CPU and GPU Improvements

  • The M4 chip boasts significant upgrades in both CPU and GPU. The CPU, with its advanced architecture, has 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores. It is up to 50% faster than the previous M2 model. The GPU also sees major improvements, incorporating 10 cores and Dynamic Caching technology, and it supports hardware ray tracing. The M4 iPad Pro’s GPU can deliver 4x faster performance than the M2 iPad Pro while consuming half the power.

  • 4-3. Neural Engine Capabilities

  • The Neural Engine in the M4 chip has been vastly upgraded to a 16-core design. This allows the M4 iPad Pro to perform up to 38 trillion operations per second, which is 60 times faster than the first Neural Engine introduced by Apple. This improvement significantly enhances machine learning capabilities and overall device performance.

  • 4-4. Thermal Performance

  • The M4 iPad Pro features enhanced thermal performance. Apple claims to have improved the thermal management of the device by up to 20% compared to its predecessor, the M2 iPad Pro. This gain in thermal performance allows for sustained high performance under demanding usage scenarios, leveraging advanced graphite sheets and copper elements within the design.

5. Battery Life

  • 5-1. All-day Battery Life Claims

  • Apple's claim that the M4 iPad Pro offers 'all-day battery life' is based on the product's specifications listed on the iPad Pro product page. The M4 chip, built on second-generation 3-nanometer technology, is touted for its power efficiency. However, Apple did not discuss battery life specifics during the Let Loose event or in its press release. Nonetheless, precise estimates from Apple indicate that the M4 iPad Pro should provide up to 10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi or video watching, and up to 9 hours of web surfing using cellular data, matching its previous models as well as the iPad Air 6.

  • 5-2. Battery Performance vs. Previous Models

  • The M4 iPad Pro's battery life performance is identical to previous models, with estimates showing up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi and up to 9 hours on cellular data. Despite the introduction of the M4 chip, which is more powerful and efficient, and the new Tandem OLED display, Apple has maintained battery life estimates by improving the efficiency of the device. The M4 iPad Pro's design is significantly thinner and lighter than previous models, specifically with the 13-inch model being 5.1 mm thick and the 11-inch model being 5.3 mm thick. This reduction in size and weight is achieved without impacting battery performance, which is notable given the more advanced technology packed into these new models compared to the 2022 versions.

6. Camera and Imaging

  • 6-1. 12MP Front-facing Camera

  • The new M4 iPad Pro features a 12MP front-facing camera that is now positioned horizontally. This placement is advantageous when using the device with the new Magic Keyboard, facilitating better video calls and FaceTime experiences. As stated in the documents, the horizontal placement aligns the iPad closer to a MacBook in terms of user experience.

  • 6-2. Smart HDR 4

  • The 12MP camera in the M4 iPad Pro is enhanced with Smart HDR 4 technology. This improvement provides better image processing capabilities, optimal for capturing photos with a high dynamic range and richer detail. This detail was directly mentioned in the reference documents.

  • 6-3. Adaptive True Tone Flash

  • Additionally, the M4 iPad Pro’s front-facing camera includes an Adaptive True Tone flash. This technology adapts the flash intensity based on the ambient lighting conditions, ensuring consistently high-quality images irrespective of the environment. Such an enhancement is crucial for users who frequently use their devices in varying lighting conditions.

  • 6-4. Landscape Ultra Wide Camera

  • The iPad Pro’s camera saw a significant upgrade with the inclusion of a 12MP Ultra Wide camera in landscape mode. The landscape Ultra Wide camera enables Face ID to work horizontally and provides users with a broader field of view for photos and videos. This is particularly beneficial for video recording and wide-angle photography tasks, as noted in the available documents.

7. Accessories

  • 7-1. Magic Keyboard with Function Keys

  • During the Let Loose event on May 7th, 2024, Apple introduced a new Magic Keyboard specifically designed for the M4 iPad Pro. This keyboard now includes function keys, a highly requested feature by users. The keyboard is made of aluminum and is available in two colors to match the new iPad Pro models.

  • 7-2. Apple Pencil Pro Features

  • The new Apple Pencil Pro was also unveiled during the event, which includes several innovative features. It has a sensor that enables new squeeze gestures and is equipped with a gyroscope that allows users to perform a 'barrel roll' to change the orientation of shaped pens or brushes. Additionally, it features Find My capabilities and is compatible with both the M4 iPad Pro and the new M2 iPad Air.

  • 7-3. Compatibility with M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air

  • The new Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with both the M4 iPad Pro and the M2 iPad Air, allowing users to utilize its advanced features across both devices. This compatibility ensures that users can take full advantage of the new functions provided by the Apple Pencil Pro, regardless of whether they are using the latest iPad Pro or the updated iPad Air.

8. Market Reception and Criticism

  • 8-1. Initial Reactions to M4 iPad Pro

  • The initial reactions to Apple’s new M4 iPad Pro were mixed. The product launch was accompanied by a flashy livestreamed keynote and a hands-on event for the media, showcasing the iPad Pro's significant refresh. This included new OLED display technology, a larger 13-inch screen size, an all-new M4 chipset, and a redesigned chassis which is thinner than its predecessors, making it Apple’s thinnest product ever. The enhancements also included compatibility with new accessories such as a redesigned Magic Keyboard case and the first-ever Apple Pencil Pro. However, when the excitement subsided, some reviewers felt the new changes were not particularly groundbreaking, noting that the main improvements were in line with what was already expected for a high-end tablet.

  • 8-2. Comparisons to Previous Models

  • When compared to previous models, the M4 iPad Pro stands out for several hardware upgrades. While the 2021 model had introduced the M1 chip and mini-LED display, and the 2022 model had incorporated the M2 chip and minor software features, the M4 iPad Pro moves to OLED panels for both the 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. Previous iterations had only offered mini-LED for the 12.9-inch model. The new Ultra Retina XDR OLED technology promises better contrast ratios, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. Additionally, the M4 iPad Pro can achieve higher peak brightness of up to 1,600 nits in HDR and 1,000 nits in SDR content, compared to 600 nits in its predecessor. The larger screen size and new chipset are also notable advancements over previous models.

  • 8-3. Criticism of Lack of Significant Changes

  • Despite the upgrades, the M4 iPad Pro faced criticism for lacking significant changes. Critics pointed out that outside the new OLED display technology and slightly larger screen size, many of the updates were incremental and expected. The most substantial internal change, the new M4 chipset, while offering a faster CPU and GPU, has not yet demonstrated a substantial impact on the tablet's performance that users can appreciate immediately. This left some feeling that the iPad Pro remains underwhelming and half-baked without more revolutionary features or performance improvements that leverage the new processor.

9. Unique Features and Omissions

  • 9-1. Exclusive Features Compared to Previous Models

  • The M4 iPad Pro comes with several new features that were not present in previous models. These include the Ultra Retina XDR display, available in 11-inch and 13-inch options, which utilizes OLED technology for perfect blacks and brighter displays with enhanced HDR. Another new feature is the nano-texture option available with the 1TB and 2TB models, designed to improve visibility by reducing glare when used outdoors or in direct light. In addition to these, the M4 iPad Pro is equipped with the latest M4 chip, which includes a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. There is also a new TrueDepth Camera, featuring a 12MP Ultra Wide lens positioned in landscape mode, making Face ID functionality horizontal. The M4 iPad Pro can also use the new Apple Pencil Pro, which is exclusive to the M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro. Lastly, an updated Exclusive Magic Keyboard made of aluminum, with function keys for the first time, is introduced for this model.

  • 9-2. Omitted Features (e.g., Ultra-wide Camera)

  • In contrast to the new features, Apple has removed certain aspects from the M4 iPad Pro. Notably, the ultra-wide camera lens is no longer part of this model. The spot previously occupied by this lens now features the LiDAR Scanner. Apple has not provided a specific reason for this change. Historically, the ultra-wide camera was promoted for photo and video recording, but with its removal, it appears Apple is positioning the iPad less as a device to record footage and more for other uses. The focus for recording capabilities seems to have shifted to the iPhone 15 Pro.

  • 9-3. Impact of these Changes on User Experience

  • The introduction of new features and removal of others significantly impacts the user experience of the M4 iPad Pro. The new Ultra Retina XDR display offers superior display quality, which is especially beneficial for multimedia consumption and professional work requiring high visual fidelity. The option of a nano-texture coating further enhances usability in bright environments by reducing glare. The performance upgrades courtesy of the M4 chip provide more processing power, which will likely be appreciated by power users and professionals. The updated TrueDepth Camera enables more flexible Face ID usage, enhancing user convenience. On the other hand, the omission of the ultra-wide camera may be seen as a drawback for users who relied on it for photography and videography, indicating a potential shift in the target use cases for the iPad.

10. Glossary

  • 10-1. M4 Chip [Technology]

  • The M4 chip features a 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, a 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. It offers a 50% improvement in CPU performance over the M2, with enhanced efficiency, contributing to the tablet's overall performance and thermal management.

  • 10-2. Ultra Retina XDR Display [Technology]

  • The new display, featuring Tandem OLED technology, offers perfect black, infinite contrast, and a top brightness of 1600 nits in HDR. This upgrade improves the visual experience significantly compared to previous iPad Pro models using LCD and miniLED screens.

  • 10-3. Apple Pencil Pro [Product]

  • The Apple Pencil Pro includes new sensors for squeeze gestures, a gyroscope for 'barrel roll' orientation change, and Find My capabilities. It is compatible with both the M4 iPad Pro and the new M2 iPad Air, enhancing user input and interaction capabilities.

11. Conclusion

  • This report scrutinizes the advancements brought by Apple's M4 iPad Pro, providing insights into its design, performance, battery life, and market reception. Through comprehensive analysis, it assesses whether the new features justify the anticipation and meet user expectations.

12. Source Documents