iPad Pro M2 vs iPad Pro M3 in brief:
- switch to OLED
- the M3 chip would replace the M2
- a thinner format in 2024
- the camera would be installed in landscape mode
- major price hike expected
Apple would soon officially announce the new OLED iPad Pros, probably during the keynote on May 7, 2024. Many technical characteristics are, it seems, modeled on those of the M2 iPad Pros; we will not discuss them in detail here. However, there are around ten differences between the two generations, which we have listed for you.
In this file, we compare the official technical sheet of the 2022 iPad Pros with that, supposedly, of their successors. The iPad Pro M3s have not yet been announced; However, their technical sheet must be considered with caution for the moment.
LED and mini-LED vs OLED
The 2024 iPad Pros are expected to feature an OLED display, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with M2 chip is equipped with a mini-LED screen, compared to an LED display with the 11-inch model.
OLED technology is more responsive than LED displays, providing smoother transitions and better refresh rate. ProMotion technology at one hundred and twenty frames per second is available on both iPad Pro M3 and iPad Pro M2, according to rumor.
Compared to mini-LED, OLED screens are also capable of displaying deeper blacks, thanks to greater contrast. In other words, graphic designers or fans of horror films will probably appreciate the new iPad Pros of 2024 more. Despite everything, be aware that the mini-LED and LED iPad Pros remain very well made, and are already adopted by a good number of imaging professionals.
Different screen sizes?
The screens of the OLED iPad Pros should be significantly larger than those of the 2022 iPad Pros. We could therefore benefit from better reading comfort, however you should know that the 2K definition will probably not be increased. So don’t expect to display much more information on the iPad Pro M3 panel.
Supposed diagonals of the iPad Pro M3 (OLED)
Official diagonals of the iPad Pro M2
Is the M3 chip really more efficient?
So, to answer this question, there’s no need to wait until the iPad Pro OLED is released. And for good reason: we already know everything about the M3 chip, present under the hood of certain Macs. And its configuration is… identical to that of the M2, at least on paper. In short, this could lead us to think that the iPad Pros of 2024 and previous models will be as powerful as each other. But that’s probably a big mistake. Indeed, all the benchmarks show that the M3 processor is faster than the M2 on Mac. We can therefore easily assume that the OLED iPad Pros will be faster than their predecessors, even if the difference will not necessarily be the most significant.
A new design for OLED iPad Pros
The dimensions of the M3 iPad Pros having already leaked, we can easily assume that they will be thinner than their predecessors:
- 5.1 millimeters thick for the 11.1-inch M3 iPad Pro compared to 5.9 millimeters for its predecessor
- 5 millimeters thick for the 13.1-inch M3 iPad Pro compared to 6.4 millimeters for its predecessor
These differences present themselves as a brand advantage for those who carry their tablet in a backpack, where it should be more discreet than an iPad Pro M2.
Still regarding dimensions, you should know that the 13.1-inch iPad Pro with M3 chip will undoubtedly be a little more imposing, with 281.5 millimeters in length and 215.5 millimeters in width. Compared to 280.6 millimeters in length and 214.9 millimeters in width with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro M2. But this difference remains negligible, since we are still on a template which is close to that of an A4 sheet. Otherwise, we should still be able to take the new tablet with us, in the same bag as before. On the other hand, your old silicone protective case may no longer be compatible.
As for the 11.1-inch OLED iPad Pros, these models will also be significantly longer, and wider by just a millimeter. Figures which also remain to be considered with caution, because not confirmed at the moment.
Still on the subject of design, know that we do not yet know the colors that will be offered for the new iPad Pros. However, we assume that the size/screen ratio could be increased, therefore with thinner borders around the display. For comparison, the 11-inch iPad Pro M2s today have a ratio of around 82%, compared to 85% for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro M2s.
The iPad Pro M3 camera changes position
Another design change; OLED iPad Pros should come with a front camera installed in length. As tablets are often used with a keyboard, in order to transform them into a real workstation, this is a real plus to avoid having to rotate everything when you receive a video call.
The iPad Pro M3s will undoubtedly not be the only ones to benefit from this advantage, since the fifth generation iPad Airs expected at the same time should also be entitled to it. To better understand this change, do not hesitate to look at the case of the tenth generation iPad, which is already equipped with it.
We regret here that Apple apparently does not have any serious camera updates in the pipeline, especially since a telephoto lens would be welcome on the iPad Pro M3.
iPad Pro 2024: rising prices compared to iPad Pro M2
As OLED technology is more expensive than mini-LED or LED screens from subcontractors, it is very likely that the M3 iPad Pros will also be more expensive than their predecessors.
The Asian magazine DigiTimes mentions the case of a price increase of 160 dollars, or perhaps more than 200 euros difference for us. The Elec, in Korea, is banking on base prices around 1,500 euros for the 11.1-inch iPad Pro M3 and 2,000 euros for the 13.1-inch iPad Pro M3 (after our conversion since the US dollar). However, we think that this is exaggerated, especially since after inflation, Apple did not hesitate to, for example, lower the amount requested to buy the iPhone 15, compared to the amount required to buy their predecessors. .
For comparison, note that the 11-inch iPad Pro M2 is currently offered from 1,069 euros for the Wi-Fi version or 1,269 euros for the Wi-Fi + 5G version. As for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, it costs at least 1,469 euros (Wi-Fi version only) or 1,669 euros with 5G.
The price will change depending on the storage capacity; we will come back to this a little further down.
© 01net – Lionel Morillon
2022 iPad Pros don’t have wireless charging
It is believed that OLED iPad Pros will have wireless charging via MagSafe. This technology has in fact been under development at Apple for several years now, originally expected on iPad Pro M2.
Wireless charging is not expected to offer significantly higher speeds. In other words, your iPad Pro M3 should not charge any faster than a 2022 iPad Pro. On the other hand, Qi power could be a real plus for anyone who hates the traditional wired connection.
Note, however, that to be able to offer us wireless charging, Apple may have to change the material used on the back of the iPad Pro. Thus, from glass would be much more suitable than aluminum. On the other hand, we have not heard of such a design change: caution.
Internal storage
M3 iPad Pros could be available with a 4TB option. For comparison, the M2 iPad Pros are only offered in 2TB, 1TB, 512GB or 256GB.
The internal storage volume is essential for Apple tablets. And for good reason: it is not expandable. The manufacturer still does not offer an SD card slot, and the iPad Pro M3s are probably not ready to change the situation.
Choosing a tablet with enough internal storage allows you to install many apps, or even download larger films. For those who do not also rely on the cloud to save their documents, the 4TB iPad Pro M3s could therefore prove to be a better choice than the 2TB iPad Pro M2s.
iPad Pro M3 vs iPad Pro M2: keyboard compatibility
The M3 iPad Pros will likely come with Bluetooth 5.3, as that’s the generation that comes with most recent Apple products and Bluetooth 5.4 has not yet been widely adopted.
The M2 iPad Pros are also equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, which means that in theory, we will be able to pair the same Bluetooth keyboards to both collections.
However, it is rumored that Apple is preparing a new Magic Keyboard intended for its iPad Pros, so that the new version could only be compatible with models equipped with the M3 chip. Apple is indeed known for this type of highly criticized maneuver.
© 01net – Lionel Morillon
Not all Apple Pencils will be compatible with OLED iPad Pros
The first generation Apple Pencils are not compatible with the M2 iPad Pros and it will probably be the same with the OLED iPad Pros. Here too, however, you should know that a third generation is apparently in the works. In the same way as for keyboards, we therefore assume that this will only be compatible with the iPad Pro M3s. The latter could, moreover, no longer be eligible for pairing with the Apple Pencil 2, although it works without problem with the 2022 iPad Pros.
Our opinion: which iPad Pro to buy?
To answer this question, let’s start by recapping the potential improvements of the iPad Pro M3:
- a thinner format
- larger screens
- the move to OLED for display
- a chip a little more powerful than the M2
- compatibility with the new Magic Keyboard and third-generation Apple Pencil
- a better size/screen ratio
- a camera installed in landscape mode
- wireless charging
- up to 4TB of internal storage
As we can see, the number of new features is not negligible, even if most are minor or only concern a very limited or very demanding volume of customers.
We could therefore be tempted to bet everything on the choice of an OLED iPad Pro, especially since this version being the most recent, it is the one which will benefit from major and security updates for the longest.
But that’s without taking into account the more affordable price of the iPad Pro M2, which is obviously going down after the release of its successor. Especially since with these ten new features, we could easily count more than a hundred points in common between the OLED iPad Pros and the 2022 iPad Pros.
- M3 iPad Pros will feature a new chip, larger screens and an OLED display
- Most improvements remain minor
- The iPad Pro M2s represent a good, lower-cost alternative
