iPad Pro M2 vs iPad Pro M4
Two lines from one maker: here’s how the iPad Pro M2 and the iPad Pro M4 stack up within the Apple range. Look at the scorecard and the iPad Pro M4 stands out, ahead in 4 of 5 areas. The display numbers explain a lot of that. The iPad Pro M2 launched $200 lower than the iPad Pro M4, so every advantage on the pricier side has to earn its keep.
At a glance
- Display iPad Pro M4 wins
- Performance iPad Pro M4 wins
- Memory & Storage iPad Pro M4 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity iPad Pro M4 wins
- Price iPad Pro M2 wins
- Display2.5
- Memory & Storage1.7
- Battery & Connectivity1.7
- Display7.5
- Memory & Storage5.0
- Battery & Connectivity2.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPad Pro M4 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The iPad Pro M4’s 256 GB leaves the iPad Pro M2’s 128 GB well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. If you mostly stream and use cloud storage, the base tier matters less; if you work offline, it matters a lot.
-
The iPad Pro M4 has 67% higher brightness
Not a close call. The iPad Pro M4 lists 1,000 nits and the iPad Pro M2 lists 600 nits. That’s a substantial gap. The iPad Pro M4’s brighter panel also gives HDR video more punch.
-
The iPad Pro M4 has a 0.78 oz lighter build
Don’t expect a night-and-day difference here. 15.66 oz against 16.44 oz is a small but genuine lead for the iPad Pro M4. Accessories like keyboards and cases add weight too, so the base difference is a starting point.
-
The iPad Pro M4 has 1 more CPU cores
The iPad Pro M4 nudges ahead with 9, while the iPad Pro M2 lists 8. More CPU cores help when you run several demanding apps at once or export large files.
-
The iPad Pro M4 has 9.2% more battery capacity
This one is close enough that other factors could outweigh it, but on paper the iPad Pro M4 leads with 31.3 Wh to 28.7 Wh. A bigger battery usually means more hours of reading, streaming and working between charges.
Design & Size
- iPad Pro M2 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.23 in
- iPad Pro M4 9.83 in × 6.99 in × 0.21 in
The iPad Pro M2 and the iPad Pro M4 take up almost exactly the same space. The iPad Pro M4 is 0.78 oz lighter, making the iPad Pro M2 the heftier of the two. The iPad Pro M4 keeps a lower profile: 0.02 in thinner than the iPad Pro M2.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Pro M2 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 6.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.23 in | 0.21 in (winner) |
| Weight | 16.44 oz | 15.66 oz (winner) |
Display
iPad Pro M4 leads
The display numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the iPad Pro M4. The iPad Pro M4 makes its case with 67% higher brightness. Indoors, both may be plenty bright; the gap matters most in strong daylight. For display, the iPad Pro M4 is the one to beat.
Peak brightness (SDR)
iPad Pro M2: 600 nits iPad Pro M4: 1,000 nits Higher brightness keeps the screen readable next to bright windows, on a balcony or on a sunny train ride.
Performance
iPad Pro M4 leads
On performance, the iPad Pro M4 comes out slightly ahead. On its side, the iPad Pro M4 has 1 more CPU cores. For browsing and streaming, core count rarely matters; for creative work, the iPad Pro M4’s extra cores give more headroom. The performance verdict goes to the iPad Pro M4.
CPU cores
iPad Pro M2: 8 iPad Pro M4: 9 Core count is only part of the picture, since chip design and clock speeds also shape performance.
Memory & Storage
iPad Pro M4 leads
The iPad Pro M4 is the clear pick if memory & storage is what you care about most. The iPad Pro M4 adds 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. Base storage decides how many movies, games and projects you can keep on the tablet without paying for an upgrade. That makes the iPad Pro M4 the natural choice for buyers focused on memory & storage.
Base storage
iPad Pro M2: 128 GB iPad Pro M4: 256 GB Downloaded shows and large creative files fill space fast, so the iPad Pro M4’s bigger starting capacity is a practical win.
Accessories & Productivity
For accessories & productivity, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Cameras
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on cameras; the numbers are close throughout. If cameras was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Battery & Connectivity
iPad Pro M4 leads
Slight edge to the iPad Pro M4 on battery & connectivity. Most buyers could live happily with either. Here the iPad Pro M4 offers 9.2% more battery capacity. The iPad Pro M4 carries more capacity, which helps with heavier work that drains a battery faster. In short, the iPad Pro M4 is the better-equipped tablet for battery & connectivity.
Battery
iPad Pro M2: 28.7 Wh iPad Pro M4: 31.3 Wh Capacity is only half of the story, since screen size and chip efficiency also shape real endurance.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Pro M2 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD), ProMotion | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) |
| Resolution | 2388 x 1668 | 2420 x 1668 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 600 nits Dimmest screen in class | 1,000 nits (winner) |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Pro M2 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M2 | M4 |
| CPU cores | 8 Fewest CPU cores | 9 (winner) |
| GPU cores | 10 | 10 |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Pro M2 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Base storage | 128 GB Least base storage | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 2 TB | 2 TB |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Pro M2 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) with hover, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio | Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 16 | iPadOS 17 |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Pro M2 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera position | Portrait edge | Landscape edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Pro M2 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.7 Wh Smallest battery in class | 31.3 Wh (winner) |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | 10 h |
| Port | USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4) | USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4) |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Pro M2 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 6.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.23 in | 0.21 in (winner) |
| Weight | 16.44 oz | 15.66 oz (winner) |
Price
| Spec | iPad Pro M2 | iPad Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) Lowest price in class | $999 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
At launch, the iPad Pro M4 cost $200 more than the iPad Pro M2. In percentage terms, that’s 25%. For $200 more, the iPad Pro M4 adds 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB and 67% higher brightness. Whether that’s good value depends on how much you need those upgrades.
Launch prices in the US as of May 2024; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Pro M2 if…
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($200 less)
- you’re fine skipping this generation’s changes
Choose the iPad Pro M4 if…
- you keep movies, games or large projects on the device (256 GB vs 128 GB base storage)
- you want the brighter screen (1,000 nits vs 600 nits)
- you want the lighter tablet (15.66 oz vs 16.44 oz)
- you want more processing muscle (9 vs 8 cores)
- you’re buying fresh and prefer the more recent model
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad Pro M2 or the iPad Pro M4?
The iPad Pro M4 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless your budget can’t stretch another $200.
Should I upgrade from the iPad Pro M2 to the iPad Pro M4?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the iPad Pro M4 offers 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB, 67% higher brightness and a 0.78 oz lighter build compared with the iPad Pro M2.
Does the iPad Pro M2 last longer on a charge than the iPad Pro M4?
On paper, the iPad Pro M2 and the iPad Pro M4 are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Is the iPad Pro M2 bigger than the iPad Pro M4?
Neither by much. The iPad Pro M2 and the iPad Pro M4 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the iPad Pro M2 perform better than the iPad Pro M4?
On paper, the iPad Pro M4 is the stronger performer, with 1 more CPU cores.
Which has the better screen, the iPad Pro M2 or the iPad Pro M4?
The iPad Pro M4 has the edge here, offering 67% higher brightness.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on the iPad Pro M2 versus the iPad Pro M4, two models from one lineup. I’d put 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB at the top of the list, and it belongs to the iPad Pro M4. Add 67% higher brightness to the list, and the iPad Pro M4 looks even better.
Fit matters more than scores here. The iPad Pro M2 suits buyers focused on price; the iPad Pro M4 suits those focused on display.
My pick: the iPad Pro M4 is the sensible default. Only one thing changes that: if every dollar counts and $200 is a real sum for you.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.