iPad 11 (2025, A16 series) vs iPad Pro (2024, M4 series)

The iPad 2025 A16 Series and the iPad Pro 2024 M4 Series represent distinct tiers within Apple's tablet lineup, released in 2025 and 2024 respectively. While both operate on iPadOS, the iPad Pro M4 is engineered for demanding professional workflows with a focus on advanced display technology and processing power, whereas the iPad A16 is designed for general use, productivity, and entertainment. The primary differentiators lie in their core performance capabilities and screen advancements.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including software support, physical durability, and repairability.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The iPad Pro 2024 M4 Series, released in May 2024, benefits from being a newer device, likely receiving software updates for a slightly longer period than the iPad 2025 A16 Series, which was released in March 2025. Both are expected to receive iPadOS updates for several years, ensuring access to new features and security enhancements.
• Physical Durability and Design: The iPad Pro M4 features a notably thin and light design, with the 13-inch model being Apple's thinnest device to date. Both models are constructed with aluminum. The iPad A16 maintains a similar design to its predecessor, offering a robust aluminum body.
• Repairability: Historically, iPads are not designed for easy user repair. Both models are likely to follow this trend, requiring specialized tools and expertise for internal component replacement.

The performance capabilities of these two iPads cater to different user needs, primarily driven by their respective processors.

• Processing Power: The iPad Pro 2024 M4 Series is equipped with the M4 chip, which delivers substantial performance improvements for demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphics-intensive tasks. This makes it well-suited for professional creative work like video editing and 3D rendering. The iPad 2025 A16 Series, powered by the A16 chip, offers strong performance for everyday tasks, web browsing, casual gaming, and general productivity.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Users of the iPad Pro M4 can expect exceptionally smooth multitasking and rapid app loading, even with numerous applications open simultaneously. The iPad A16 also handles multitasking efficiently for typical usage, though it may exhibit less fluidity when managing highly resource-intensive workflows compared to the Pro model.
• Storage Options: The iPad Pro M4 starts with 256GB of storage and offers configurations up to 2TB, providing ample space for large files and professional projects. The iPad A16 starts with 128GB, with options up to 512GB, which is suitable for most users' app, photo, and document storage needs.

The display is a significant area of distinction between these two iPad models, impacting visual experience and suitability for various tasks.

• Display Technology: The iPad Pro 2024 M4 Series features an Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED technology, offering exceptional contrast, true blacks, and vibrant colors. The iPad 2025 A16 Series utilizes a Liquid Retina display with LED backlighting and IPS technology, providing good color accuracy and brightness for general use.
• Resolution and Brightness: Both models offer high-resolution displays, ensuring sharp text and clear images. The iPad Pro M4 boasts superior peak brightness, especially for HDR content, making it more suitable for outdoor use or professional color-critical work. The iPad A16 provides 500 nits of brightness, which is adequate for most indoor and some outdoor environments.
• Refresh Rate: The iPad Pro M4 includes ProMotion technology, offering an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and more responsive interactions, which is particularly beneficial for drawing and fast-paced content. The iPad A16 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient for everyday tasks but less fluid than the ProMotion display.

The camera systems on both iPads are designed for different primary uses, with the Pro model offering more advanced capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The iPad Pro 2024 M4 Series features a 12MP wide camera with an improved True Tone flash and a LiDAR scanner, enhancing augmented reality (AR) applications and depth sensing. The iPad 2025 A16 Series also has a 12MP wide camera, suitable for casual photography and document scanning.
• Front Camera and Video Calls: Both iPads feature a 12MP front-facing camera with Center Stage, which keeps subjects in frame during video calls. The iPad Pro M4's front camera is notably positioned on the landscape side, optimizing it for video conferencing in a horizontal orientation.
• Video Recording: The iPad Pro M4 supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second and includes advanced features like ProRes video recording, catering to professional videography needs. The iPad A16 also supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second, making it capable for general video capture.