The iPad Pro (M4) features the most advanced display on any mobile device. Apple’s flagship tablet uses tandem OLED displays, which Apple markets as “Ultra Retina XDR” displays. Not only do these displays offer a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1000 nits of max SDR and XDR brightness, and 1600 nits of peak XDR brightness, but their ProMotion technology is also enhanced.
When ProMotion technology was introduced on the 2017 iPad Pro models, they were able to have variable refresh rates from 24Hz to 120Hz. In other words, the refresh rates change dynamically depending on the content and user’s display interactions. That technology eventually made its way to the iPhone Pro and MacBook Pro models; however, the minimum refresh rates aren’t equal on each applicable device.
On both the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, the refresh rates can go down to 24Hz as that’s how low LED-backlit (Liquid Retina) and mini-LED (Liquid Retina XDR) displays can refresh. Starting with the iPhone 13 Pro models, which first brought ProMotion to the iPhone, the refresh rates can go down even further to 10Hz. This is made possible thanks to the LTPO OLED display that those iPhone models have been using.
Since the Ultra Retina XDR displays are also LTPO displays, those displays can now refresh as low as 10Hz to preserve battery life even further. Despite those displays being LTPO, one thing to point out is that they do not have always-on capabilities. Always-on displays have been featured on iPhone 14 Pro models and later as well as Apple Watch models since the Series 5. It’s up to Apple to add always-on capabilities for iPad Pros with Ultra Retina XDR displays since it requires development and optimization between the iPad’s display and the software features on iPadOS.
The iPad Pro (M4) and iPad Air (M2) are available to order today, and both tablets are available to users starting May 15.
If you enjoy our content, make sure to follow @Appleosophy for more articles or deals to come.
