The iPad Pro M2 launched in October 2022. The iPad Pro M4 launched in May 2024 with the first OLED display on an iPad Pro. This is the most significant iPad Pro upgrade in three years — but whether it matters for you depends entirely on how you use your iPad.
No blooming in high-contrast scenes (where bright objects appear in dark backgrounds)
For digital artists, video editors, and anyone who watches HDR content seriously, this is the most significant iPad display upgrade since Retina. For everyone else (notes, reading, productivity apps), the LCD on M2 was already excellent.
The honest caveat: OLED burn-in risk on static elements (keyboard, toolbars) is a long-term consideration. Professionals using the iPad for heavy static-content work should be aware, though Apple's OLED implementation includes burn-in mitigation.
Performance: M4 vs M2
The M4 chip in the iPad Pro M4 is approximately 40% faster than the M2. In iPad use cases — drawing, note-taking, media consumption, light productivity — the M2 handles everything without visible limitations. The M4's performance headroom benefits: video rendering in Final Cut for iPad, large-format Procreate canvases, and running multiple Stage Manager windows simultaneously.
The iPad's performance limitation is often iPadOS software optimization rather than raw chip speed. M4 provides margin for future software demands.
Apple Pencil Pro: Significant Addition
The M4 iPad Pro ships with Apple Pencil Pro support (requires separate purchase of the Pencil). New features: barrel roll sensing (Procreate uses this for brush orientation), squeeze gesture (activates tools without touching the screen), and hover with 12mm detection range (see precise tool preview before touching surface).
For digital artists, the Pencil Pro features are the most impactful M4 upgrade. M2 iPad Pro supports Apple Pencil 2, which lacks these features.
Who Should Upgrade M2 → M4
Upgrade makes sense if:
Digital art is your primary use case and you want Apple Pencil Pro + barrel roll
You watch HDR video content seriously and want the OLED upgrade
You use Final Cut or professional video tools and want more performance headroom
Your M2's battery health is below 80% (typically 3+ years of heavy use)
Hold the M2 if:
You use your iPad for notes, reading, browsing, and light productivity
You added an Apple Pencil 2 recently and don't want to rebuy accessories
Your M2 iPad Pro is under 2 years old
The iPad Air M2 Alternative
If you're on M2 iPad Pro and considering the jump, also evaluate whether the iPad Air M2 would serve your needs — lower cost, slightly lower performance, no OLED, but completely sufficient for most productivity use cases. Sometimes downgrade-switching makes financial sense.
Alex Carter has spent over 8 years testing and reviewing consumer electronics, with a focus on smart home gadgets, home appliances, and everyday tech. Before joining VersusMatrix, Alex wrote for sever...