Apple iPad Pro (11-inch) review: The ultimate tablet flex— if your wallet can handle it

Svelete, sleek and suave — that’s the new iPad Pro. It is ridiculously thin and compared to the iPad Air, which is a respectable 0.24 inches thick, the iPad Pro M4's svelte design makes the "Air" moniker seem a bit redundant.

All that slimness is because of the flatter OLED display, which allows for a reduction in thickness, making the 13-inch model a mere 5.1mm compared to the previous 6.4mm. Similarly, the 11-inch model has shed weight, going from 5.9mm to 5.3mm. What these numbers do is they reduce the size and weight and make the iPad Pro far more portable than ever.

However, this design change has implications for users with existing protective cases and the older Magic Keyboard, as they are no longer be compatible with the new iPad Pro. I tried the 2022 Magic Keyboard with the 2024 iPad Pro and it doesn’t fit. So yeah, Apple clearly wants you to upgrade to the new Magic Keyboard.

There’s always a debate about what size iPad is better. Size does matter but there are a few things that I keep in mind. The other debate which always persists is whether an iPad can actually replace a MacBook. My view is that as great as the iPad Pro is, personally for me, the MacBook is something I can’t give up. Without getting in the cost-benefit analysis — which by the way goes in the Mac’s favour — for me it comes to the simple fact that I don’t want to carry two 13-inchers. So, the 11-inch iPad Pro with its size doesn’t bring down all the weight of the Apple ecosystem on my backpack.

Apple loves to sprinkle different words for existing technology. Take the case of an OLED display. Almost everyone will call it an OLED display but not Apple. They call it an “Ultra Retina XDR display” with “tandem OLED displays,” which is just their fancy way of saying it’s a lovely OLED display.

With a resolution of 2420 x 1668 pixels at 264 pixels per inch, colours burst to life (thanks to P3 instead of boring old sRGB), and True Tone helps save your eyes from too much screen time. Plus, the iPad Pro gets really bright—up to 1,000 nits, or a blinding 1,600 nits if you’re into HDR content.

If you compare the 2024 iPad Pro’s OLED display to the 2022 model’s mini-LED, it’s not a fair comparison. OLED just crushes it in every way, including being easier on the battery. Watching Netflix or Disney+ on the 2024 model is great as the blacks are rich and images are sharp. I painfully sat through Liverpool handing out Manchester United a thumping loss on the iPad Pro and  the content looked excellent. The same can’t be said for the result of the game for me.

I am not even an amateur when it comes to editing videos. But I gave Final Cut Pro a shot to see how videos and photos look after being edited on the iPad Pro. The results were truly impressive.

The new OLED — oops, Ultra Retina XDR display — screen is also power-smart. Apple’s refresh rate — called ProMotion — does its sorcery in the background and shifts from 10Hz to 120Hz, depending on the task you’re performing.

The design and display are two good enough reasons for anyone to upgrade from their older iPad Pro models.

Apple iPad Pro (11-inch) review: Performance

The iPad Pro has always been the go-to for anyone who demands top-tier performance from their tablet. That’s actually true for all Pro Apple products. Whether you’re editing ProRes videos in Final Cut Pro, diving into graphics-heavy games like Genshin Impact, this tablet handles it all with ease.

Apple dropped a big surprise when it skipped the M3 chip and jumped straight to the redesigned M4 chip for the new iPad Pro.  What’s also changed is that the base models, now start at 256GB (up from 128GB in 2022), and the 512GB versions come with 9 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores for smooth graphics, and 16 NPU cores — which is a lot of power for anything and everything.

If you are in the mood to splurge, then you can go for the top-tier models with 1TB or 2TB of storage, you’ll get a bump up to 10 CPU cores and 16GB of RAM, making these iPad Pros true powerhouses.

So which is the right storage variant? Frankly, the entry-level 256GB of storage on the iPad Pro might be all you need. It’s plenty of space for installing hundreds of apps and games. However, if you deal with large files and want to keep everything on your iPad, you might want to consider more storage.

Having said that, many ‘Pro’ creatives already rely on external storage, like connecting an SSD via USB-C or tapping into cloud storage. But if you’d rather avoid the hassle of plugging something into your iPad, 1TB is likely your best bet for a balance of space and convenience.

In terms of performance, the jump is significant in terms of specs. Even in day-to-day usage, the M4 iPad Pro feels a lot snappier than the M2 iPad Pro. The M4 processor made its debut with the iPad Pro and it certainly sets up for an intriguing next MacBook reveal. Take my word as the M4 processor’s performance is truly remarkable.

Apple iPad Pro (11-inch) review: Camera

Having used and reviewed quite a few iPads over the years, the one gripe I always had was the front-facing camera. It took Apple years to rectify but even with the M-series iPads, the positioning of the front camera was always annoying. It was on the side of the tablet and in landscape mode, it felt awkward.

Mercifully, Apple finally got the memo, and the new iPad Pro places the camera in the middle of the long side—right where it belongs—so you’re perfectly centred for FaceTime calls. The Centre Stage feature allows you to stay in the spotlight, even if you decide to take a quick spin during a call.

I haven’t generally seen iPad users rushing to take out their device to click an image. Still, the iPad Pro does a fine job. Of clicking rich and detailed images. The iPad Pro packs a 12-megapixel wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture, up to 5x digital zoom, adaptive True Tone flash, and Smart HDR 4 support. You can shoot video in 4K at up to 60 fps, and if you’re feeling fancy, ProRes video at 30 fps with extended dynamic range. The front-facing ultra-wide TrueDepth camera also holds its own with 12MP photos, an f/2.4 aperture, and a 2x zoom.

To use a few of Apple’s eternal words this is the “best ever camera” in an iPad as it offers superior clarity, contrast over previous models.

Apple iPad Pro (11-inch) review: Accessories

Apple didn’t send me the new Magic Keyboard for review, so I am not in the position to comment on what improvements it brings. But it did send the new Apple Pencil Pro. The new Pencil brings innovative features that will elevate the creative experience for iPad users. There’s an all-new tilt sensor which offers nuanced control and precision for tasks like shading and blending. The ability to squeeze the pen to access various functions, such as the Procreate palette, adds a layer of convenience and efficiency.

I know a lot of artists and creators who swear by the Apple Pencil. While the Apple Pencil Pro is a valuable tool for designers and illustrators, it's not a necessity for every iPad owner. The decision to invest in a Pencil, whether the standard or Pro version, ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences. If you frequently engage in creative activities or simply enjoy the tactile experience of drawing or writing on your iPad, the Apple Pencil Pro may be a worthwhile investment. Or else, you can completely give it a miss.

Apple iPad Pro (11-inch) review: Battery

Apple claims the new iPad Pro can last up to 10 hours of web surfing or video watching. Those claims are true and sometimes it does even better. Binge-watching the new season of House of Dragon on the 11-inch iPad Pro put a strain but not really drained the battery life. In my experience, the battery life can easily last up to 12 hours, which is quite good. Apple still is iffy about giving fast charging with its devices. So it takes close to two hours for the iPad to fully charge.

Apple iPad Pro (11-inch) review: Verdict

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the iPad Pro. In fact, it is the best tablet out there. It is the best tablet I have ever used and reviewed. The iPad Pro has a lovely display, its design — the thin form factor — is something to behold and the M4 processor ensures that every other device — including the MacBook Air — feels a bit dated in front of it.

But, yes there is a but, I can’t really recommend anyone buying it over the MacBook. Apple has gone on record and said that it doesn’t want the iPad to replace the MacBook but to replace your “computer”. In Apple’s world the MacBook may not be your ‘regular’ computer but for others it still is.

The 2024 iPad Pro starts at Rs 99,999. That’s the entry-level Wi-Fi only model. Feel that’s less storage? Then the 512GB model costs Rs 1,19,900, the 1TB model Rs 1,59,900 and the 2TB model costs Rs 1,99,900. Oh, if you do not want the “standard” glass display and go for the “nano-textured” glass then it’s another Rs 10,000.

Let’s for a second look past the exorbitant prices and say “fine, I will buy it”. To get the best out the iPad Pro, you need all — and I mean all — the accessories.

Want the new Apple Pencil Pro? Sure, please give another Rs 11,900. Surely, you don’t want the iPad Pro without the Magic Keyboard? Drop another Rs 29,900. So, by the time the nice folks at the Apple Store are rounding up your bill, the iPad Pro with all the bells and whistles — and mind you it is the entry-level model — will set you back Rs 1.5 lakh. For the ultimate 2TB storage that price is Rs 2.5 lakh.

For most casual users — those who enjoy scrolling through social media, playing the occasional games, watching content or reading ebooks — a regular iPad gets the job done.

Of course, this is the iPad Pro and it is the best tablet out there. But do you really need all that? If the answer to that question is a yes, then go for it. You will not find a better tablet for anything and everything you want to do with it. Just don’t go thinking of it as a like-for-like MacBook replacement. Why? I have five words for you: iPadOS.

For most people, it is just too hard to justify spending close to Rs 1.5 lakh on an excellent tablet. Even if you don’t go for the bells and whistles, it is still costing you close to Rs 1 lakh. The 2024 iPad is an excellent alternative and won’t cost you a fortune either.