Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)

Daniel Schmidt from Notebookcheck highlights the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) as a remarkably thin, lightweight, and powerful tablet that pushes the boundaries of performance with its cutting-edge M4 chip and vibrant tandem OLED display. The review praises its excellent build quality, bright and accurate screen, impressive speakers, and fast USB-C interface supporting Thunderbolt 3 and 6K video output. The device excels in creative and entertainment use, with strong multitasking features and long software support. However, Schmidt notes some drawbacks, including the lack of a SIM slot (eSIM only), absence of an IP rating, and limitations of iPadOS that prevent it from being a full MacBook replacement. The optional nano-texture glass reduces reflections but slightly dulls contrast, and the front camera, while good for video calls, shows noise in photos. Battery life is solid but not class-leading, and the high price, especially with upgrades, may deter some buyers. Overall, the iPad Pro 13 is a premium, high-performance tablet best suited for creatives within the Apple ecosystem.

Matt Hanson from TechRadar highlights the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) as an exceptionally powerful and cutting-edge tablet, showcasing Apple’s most advanced technology to date. Praising its stunning tandem OLED display, ultra-thin design, and the groundbreaking M4 chip, Hanson emphasizes that this device is a true laptop replacement for creative professionals and power users, capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing and music production with ease. The review conveys genuine enthusiasm for the iPad Pro’s performance, battery life, and versatility, especially when paired with accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. However, Hanson also offers a measured critique, noting the very high price point and the removal of the ultra-wide rear camera, which may disappoint some users. He cautions that for casual users or those on a budget, the iPad Air 6 is a more sensible choice. Overall, the review balances excitement about the iPad Pro’s innovations with practical considerations about its cost and target audience.

Harish Jonnalagadda from Android Central highlights the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) as a standout tablet, praising its exquisite tandem OLED display, sleek and lightweight design, and powerful M4 chipset. After six months of extensive use, he finds it the best iPad he’s ever owned, excelling in gaming, content consumption, and productivity with accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. The review emphasizes the impressive brightness and color fidelity of the OLED panel, improved front camera placement, and excellent battery life. While acknowledging the high price and minor quibbles like the lack of a physical SIM slot and slower charging speeds, the overall tone is enthusiastic and confident. Jonnalagadda also values the robust iPadOS ecosystem and software enhancements, making the device ideal for focused, creative work rather than multitasking. He recommends the iPad Pro M4 wholeheartedly for those seeking top-tier hardware and software, while noting more affordable alternatives exist for budget-conscious buyers.

Jason Snell from Six Colors highlights the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) as a remarkable feat of hardware engineering, featuring a stunning new OLED display and the powerful, next-generation M4 chip that significantly outperforms its predecessors. He praises the device’s sleek, refined design, improved weight, and the enhanced Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories, which elevate its versatility. However, Snell’s enthusiasm is tempered by persistent frustrations with iPadOS, which he finds limiting for professional workflows despite recent improvements. He details specific software shortcomings—such as font management, multitasking, and background task restrictions—that hold back the iPad Pro from fully realizing its potential as a productivity powerhouse. While the hardware is described as “game-changing” and “supremely portable,” the review underscores a familiar tension: Apple’s impressive hardware advances continue to outpace the operating system’s maturity. Snell concludes that the M4 iPad Pro is excellent for those it suits but wishes Apple would accelerate iPadOS development to match the device’s capabilities.

Mat Gallagher highlights the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) as a groundbreaking tablet that pushes the boundaries of performance and display technology, positioning it as a potential MacBook replacement. He praises the device’s powerful new M4 chip, which delivers laptop-level CPU and GPU performance, and the stunning Ultra Retina XDR OLED display that offers exceptional brightness and color accuracy. The review emphasizes the iPad Pro’s sleek, lighter, and thinner design, improved Magic Keyboard, and innovative Apple Pencil Pro features, making it ideal for creative professionals and casual users alike. However, Gallagher notes the high price point and the limitations of iPadOS compared to macOS, which may deter some users seeking a full laptop experience. He also points out the simplified rear camera setup as a sensible trade-off given typical iPad use. Overall, the review conveys strong enthusiasm for the iPad Pro’s capabilities and design, while thoughtfully acknowledging its operating system constraints and premium cost.

Nadeem Sarwar from SlashGear highlights the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) as a stunningly designed and powerful tablet that pushes the boundaries of hardware innovation, particularly with its dazzling OLED display, slim profile, and impressive battery life. The review conveys genuine enthusiasm for the device’s performance leaps, especially in demanding workflows like video editing and gaming, and praises the refined Magic Keyboard accessory. However, Sarwar tempers this excitement with critical insights about Apple’s pricing strategy, notably the tiered M4 chip configurations and costly accessories, which may frustrate buyers. The review also underscores significant software limitations in iPadOS that hold back the tablet’s full potential, making it feel like a powerful machine constrained by an underdeveloped operating system. Ultimately, Sarwar positions the iPad Pro M4 as the best tablet available but advises that it is a worthwhile investment only for users whose workflows fully leverage its capabilities, warning others about the compromises in software and cost.

Preslav Kateliev from PhoneArena highlights the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) as a powerful and sleek tablet that pushes the boundaries of mobile performance with its new M4 chip and innovative tandem OLED display. The review conveys a generally positive and measured enthusiasm, praising the device’s ultra-thin design, improved screen brightness and color accuracy, and enhanced multitasking capabilities with iPadOS 26. Unique insights include the shift from Mini LED to dual-layer OLED technology and the repositioned selfie camera for better landscape video calls. While the M4 chip delivers impressive speed gains, the reviewer notes it may not be fully utilized yet, and the speakers have slightly less bass than before. The high price, especially when factoring in accessories like the Magic Keyboard, is a notable drawback. Overall, the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) is recommended as a premium, versatile tablet ideal for creative professionals and digital nomads seeking a powerful yet portable device, though its value depends on specific user needs and budget.

What Hi-Fi? highlights the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) as a groundbreaking device, especially for portable movie watching, thanks to its first-ever OLED screen that delivers spectacular contrast, richer colors, and cinematic picture quality rivaling top home cinema displays. The review expresses clear enthusiasm for the new tandem OLED technology, which combines perfect blacks with high brightness, and praises the improved motion handling and warmer tonal balance that enhance the viewing experience. The device’s design refinements, including being Apple’s thinnest and lightest iPad Pro yet and the repositioned front-facing camera, are noted as thoughtful improvements. However, the review tempers excitement with practical considerations: the iPad Pro is described as over-powered for typical media consumption, with a steep price and costly accessories, making it a luxury purchase. Sound quality is strong but largely unchanged from the previous model, and the iPad remains better suited for relaxed viewing than on-the-go use. Overall, What Hi-Fi? regards the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) as the new benchmark for portable cinema, albeit at a premium cost.