Computing
Apple iPad Pro M4 Review: What Critics Really Think
"Apple's hardware at its very best," says Trusted Reviews, but WIRED warns that iPadOS still holds the M4 back.
No single aggregate score — here's what the reviewers agree on, below.
The short version
Reviewers agree that the iPad Pro M4 combines an exceptional OLED display, remarkably thin hardware and performance well beyond ordinary tablet workloads. PCMag found that demanding creative apps ran with ease, while What Hi-Fi? called the 13-inch model a new benchmark for watching movies on the move. The honest catch is that it is expensive, its accessories cost extra, and both WIRED and PCMag found iPadOS less capable or polished than the hardware deserves.
What reviewers loved
- The OLED display delivers exceptional contrast and richly cinematic picture quality; What Hi-Fi? considers the 13-inch model the new benchmark for portable movie watching.
- The M4 chip handles heavy creative work with room to spare; PCMag reports smooth performance in Logic Pro 2, Lightroom, Photoshop and Stage Manager multitasking.
- The thinner, lighter design makes a practical difference, especially on the 579g 13-inch model, which Trusted Reviews found much easier to hold and carry than its predecessor.
- What Hi-Fi? praises the 13-inch model's superb sound, with strong impact and added warmth and richness through capable wired headphones.
- The base storage has doubled to 256GB, giving entry-level buyers more working space than the previous generation.
What held it back
- It starts at $999 or £999, and PCMag says the compatible accessories are also expensive.
- iPadOS remains the bottleneck: WIRED found it frustrating, while PCMag describes it as clunky despite the M4's desktop-class performance.
- There is still only one USB-C port, limiting direct connections for buyers hoping to use it as a laptop replacement.
- What Hi-Fi? says it is hugely overpowered for movies and music, so entertainment-focused buyers may be paying for performance they will never use.
Buy it if you want the best display and performance reviewers have seen in an iPad, and you will genuinely use it for demanding creative work or premium portable entertainment.
Skip it if you mainly browse, stream and take notes, or if you need laptop-style multitasking and connectivity without iPadOS compromises.
What the reviewers say
Trusted Reviews calls the iPad Pro M4 the best tablet it has reviewed and highlights the real-world benefit of the lighter design, particularly on the 13-inch version. PCMag reaches a similar conclusion on the hardware, praising the premium build, brilliant OLED screen, cameras and unusually strong M4 performance.
WIRED is more cautious. It likes the OLED display, lower weight, increased base storage and accessory support, but argues that the M4's full potential remains limited by iPadOS. What Hi-Fi? is emphatic about the 13-inch model as an entertainment device, praising its contrast, cinematic picture and sound while admitting that its power and price are excessive for simple media consumption.
⚙ Best settings — dial it in
No numerical display calibration was provided in these excerpts. What Hi-Fi? does offer two practical audio setup recommendations for getting more from movies and music. For fully calibrated values, see What Hi-Fi?.
| Movies | Pair compatible AirPods to unlock Spatial Audio; What Hi-Fi? says this substantially elevates the iPad's cinematic performance. |
|---|---|
| Wired music | Use capable wired headphones for added warmth, richness and weight without sacrificing impact or dynamics. |
The competition
Apple iPad Air
Trusted Reviews points to the iPad Air as the more sensible option for many buyers, with a 13-inch version available from $599 or £599.
Previous 12.9-inch iPad Pro
What Hi-Fi? says existing owners should not feel compelled to upgrade immediately, even though the new OLED model improves portable movie performance.
Should you buy it?
The critics' consensus is clear: the iPad Pro M4 is exceptional hardware but not the automatic choice for every iPad buyer. Its OLED screen, low weight and M4 performance justify the price for serious creators and buyers who want a no-compromise portable display. For routine tablet use, the cheaper iPad Air is likely the right buy, while anyone expecting a full MacBook replacement may still find iPadOS and the single USB-C port restrictive. RightWei summarizes the cited publications' hands-on tests and does not test review units ourselves.
Sources
RightWei aggregates and summarizes independent reviews — we link to the original hands-on tests so you can go deeper. We don't test units ourselves.