iPad Pro (2024) VS iPad Pro (2022): Expectations

Since Apple rolled out its M-series processors for the iPad lineup, these devices have truly come into their own as powerhouses. Granted, calling a 12.9-inch tablet "small" might be a bit of a stretch, especially when compared to a MacBook. However, the option of an 11-inch model opens up a world of possibilities for users, from entertainment to productivity.

Now, as we find ourselves in the month of April, enjoying the gifts of spring, excitement builds for the release of the next generation of iPad Pro devices. It's expected that Apple will quietly unveil the iPad Pro (2024) lineup towards the end of the month (or maybe early May). We're eagerly anticipating the chance to see all the tweaks and upgrades and compare these new slates to the previous generation, ultimately aiming to address the question many people will be asking themselves. Is it worth making the switch?

It's worth noting that all the information we're about to delve into is speculative at best, sourced from leaks, industry insiders, rumors, and our own experience in the field. Until Apple makes an official announcement, it's wise to take everything with a healthy pinch of salt.

There have been rumors of a design overhaul since early 2023, but those didn't materialize in the last generation of iPad Pro models. Now we have another batch of rumors, some of which are backed by industry insider Mark Gurman.

We expect the iPad Pro (2024) to switch to a glass back in order to accommodate MagSafe wireless charging. Another tweak could involve slimmer bezels, especially on the bigger 13-inch model, which can explain the slight increase in screen size.

CAD drawings have revealed a possible change in dimensions:

• Current 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ - 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 5.9 mm
• Upcoming 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ - 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.1mm
• Current 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ - 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.4mm
• Upcoming ~13-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ - 281.5mm x 215.5mm x 5.0mm

It's not clear how Apple will pull this off, as including wireless charging coils would make the devices thicker, not thinner, but we have to wait and see.

The biggest change seems to lie in the display technology when it comes to the new iPad Pros. Fans of mini-LED will be disappointed, as Apple seems to have abandoned this technology in the iPad Pro (2024) lineup.

The good news is that both the small 11-inch iPad Pro and its bigger 13-inch brother will enter the OLED era, according to the latest information. The new models will continue to support 120Hz ProMotion but will offer deeper blacks and a wider color range.

As far as biometrics go, the new iPad Pro models will use the good old FaceID, so no big changes there.

The autonerds among you might catch the wordplay above, but to put it in simple terms, the new iPad Pro models will come with the latest iteration of the M-series chipset. The M3 chip will make its debut in the iPad Pro (2024), once again turning these tablets into real powerhouses.

That being said, the M2-equpped 2022 models aren't slow by any stretch of the imagination, and most likely the difference will show up only in synthetic benchmarks.

The storage situation will most likely remain unchanged as well, even though there are wild rumors pointing toward a 4TB version of the iPad Pro (2024). The current storage options are: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. If Apple decides to include a 4TB version, the base storage could also go up to 256GB. But given that both 2024 models will come with OLED screens (which are more expensive than LCD or mini-LED), a 4TB version will be crazy expensive.

Nothing unexpected on the software front, we expect the new iPad Pro models to run the latest iPadOS version, but it will inevitably drip down to older models as well, so there are no new features to segregate the 2022 from the 2024 models.

There's a new aluminum MagicKeyboard accessory expected to launch with the new iPad Pro (2024), and rumor has it that it will feature a larger trackpad, making the new iPads much more comfortable and worthy of replacing your regular laptop.

The camera system has historically not been a standout feature of any iPad model over the years. Based on the leaks and rumors surrounding the upcoming iPad Pro (2024), it seems this trend will go on. We expect that the new models will carry over the same camera configuration found on the 2022 iPads.

Specs include wide and ultra-wide cameras, with resolutions of 12MP and 10MP respectively. The latter is expected to offer a 125-degree field of view. Video capabilities are likely to max out at 4K resolution at 60fps, with added support for ProRes videos at 4K resolution at 30fps (but don't quote us on that yet).

One potential change might involve the positioning of the front-facing camera and the FaceID sensor. Clues found in lines of code and descriptions in iOS 17.4 Beta suggest that the camera could be located at the top when the iPad Pro (2024) is in landscape mode. It's still a mystery whether this adjustment will apply to both the 11-inch and 13-inch models, but logic suggests it could be a feature reserved for the larger device.

We expect the iPad Pro (2024) to retain the quad-speaker setup from the previous generation, and this is not a bad thing. The audio quality has been great on the last couple of iPad Pro generations, and we expect the same to hold true for the latest models.

When it comes to haptics, no big changes are expected as well. The haptic motors from the 2022 models will most likely be carried over, so there is no big difference here. As a final reminder, there's no 3.5mm audio jack on the 2022 models, and we don't expect it to pop-up in the new models, either.

We don't have any information regarding the batteries in the new iPad Pro (2024) models. We could get a bump in capacity, but Apple lists iPad batteries in watt-hours, making it a bit hard to get a clear picture. What we can say is that the same "up to 10 hours" of browsing the web or watching videos should apply to the new models as well, and judging from our tests, it is often an understatement.

The expected glass backs that are coming to the iPad Pro lineup will make it possible for wireless charging support to come onboard, but we don't have anything specific to share at this point. If this turns out to be true and you like charging your gear wirelessly, the new models could hold an advantage over the old iPad Pros.

Here's a quick specs comparison. Bear in mind that the specs of the 2024 models are based on leaks and rumors at the moment.

So, there you have it: our comparison between the iPad Pro (2022) lineup and the latest 2024 models. Should you upgrade? It's a difficult question. We still don't know the prices of the new models, but if they remain unchanged, there might be enough in the basket to make people upgrade.

You're getting the latest M3 chip, OLED screens, and wireless charging. For some, these upgrades might be enough to make them reach inside their pockets, while for others, waiting a couple of generations will be a better option.

If you're coming from an older generation or you're thinking about getting an iPad Pro, the 2024 models are definitely the best choice, though.