Mobile Phones & Tablets
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) Review: Astonishing Hardware, Software Still Catching Up
- Brand:
- Apple
- Ages:
- 13+ years
- Updated:
- 2026-07-19
The verdict
The M4 iPad Pro is a remarkable piece of hardware — the best screen and thinnest design Apple has ever shipped in an iPad — but its biggest limitation isn't the silicon, it's iPadOS still not being built to fully use that power. Buy it for the screen and build quality, not because you need the extra M4 horsepower over an M2 iPad.
Pros
- M4 chip is dramatically more powerful than most people will ever use on a tablet, with genuine pro-app editing headroom
- 11-inch OLED display (Tandem OLED) with 120Hz ProMotion is the best screen Apple has ever put in an iPad
- At 5.3mm thick, it's Apple's thinnest product ever while still fitting a large 8,160mAh battery
- Supports the Apple Pencil Pro and updated Magic Keyboard for a genuinely premium creative and productivity setup
Cons
- Starts at $999 for just 256GB of storage, and the Magic Keyboard adds another $299-349 on top
- iPadOS still doesn't fully take advantage of the M4 chip's power — many pro apps remain scaled-down iPhone ports
- Anyone already on an M2 iPad Pro gets a smaller practical upgrade than the spec sheet jump suggests
This review is based on Apple's published specifications for the 11-inch iPad Pro (M4) and the consistent patterns across independent reviews and long-term ownership reports since its May 2024 launch.
The best screen Apple has ever put in an iPad
The Tandem OLED display is a genuine leap over previous iPad Pro LCD panels, with deeper blacks, higher peak brightness, and the same 120Hz ProMotion smoothness Apple pioneered on iPad. Combined with the Apple Pencil Pro's low latency, it's a superb screen for drawing, note-taking, and video.
Hardware that's outrunning the software
The M4 chip is overkill for browsing and streaming, and even most 'pro' apps on the App Store don't push it hard. The real-world case for the M4 over the previous M2 iPad Pro comes down to future-proofing and specific pro workflows (heavy video export, 3D work) rather than everyday responsiveness, which was already excellent on the M2 model.
Who it's for
Best for creative professionals doing serious photo, video, or design work who will use the OLED display and Apple Pencil Pro to their full potential, or anyone who simply wants Apple's best tablet regardless of cost. Skip it if you're coming from a recent iPad Pro, or if the M2 iPad Air would cover your actual needs for hundreds less.
Frequently asked
- Is the M4 iPad Pro worth it over the M2 iPad Air?
- Only if you specifically need the OLED display, ProMotion, or the extra chip headroom for demanding pro workflows — for everyday use, the far cheaper M2 iPad Air covers most people's actual needs.
- Does the iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) come with the Apple Pencil or keyboard?
- No, both the Apple Pencil Pro ($129) and the Magic Keyboard ($299 for the 11-inch model) are sold separately.
- How much storage does the base iPad Pro (M4) have?
- The entry-level Wi-Fi model starts at $999 with 256GB of storage; earlier iPad Pro generations started at 128GB, so this is actually a storage upgrade at the same relative price tier.
- Is the iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) worth buying?
- Yes, for creative professionals and anyone who wants Apple's best possible tablet screen and build quality. It's not worth it if you're upgrading from a recent iPad Pro, or if the more affordable iPad Air would meet your needs just as well.
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