Buzz
Last year, the unexpected introduction of the M1 chip brought a powerful upgrade, followed by an even more powerful M2 chip recently. Although the performance has improved, it's not a groundbreaking shift like the transition from chip A to M last year.
If you're torn between these two iPad generations or unsure whether to upgrade to the latest iPad Pro M2, this article might offer valuable insights for you.
iPad Pro M1 vs iPad Pro M2: Configuration
As mentioned earlier, the major difference between the two iPad Pro generations lies in the M1 and M2 processors. Both have 8 CPU cores, but the performance has improved by 18%. In terms of GPU, the iPad Pro with Apple M2 boasts 10 GPU cores, while the M1 has only 8 GPUs, resulting in a 35% improvement in graphics performance. The RAM bandwidth has also significantly increased to 100GB/s.
Regarding configuration options, the 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB versions come with 8GB of RAM. If you desire 16GB of RAM, you must opt for the 1TB or 2TB model. Apart from slight increases in CPU and GPU performance, all other technical specifications, such as Thunderbolt connectivity and 5G support, remain unchanged.
Display
The display remains almost unchanged between the two generations. This year, only the 12.9-inch version features a mini-LED panel, while the 11-inch variant still uses a conventional LED panel. All versions support ProMotion up to 120Hz, wide P3 color gamut, multi-layered display, anti-reflective coating, and True Tone.
The only minor difference between the two generations is the Apple Pencil Hover feature, which enables the screen to detect the stylus tip at a distance of 12mm, introducing some new functionalities not fully utilized by everyone.
Connectivity and Accessories
The iPad Pro M2 is compatible with accessories shared with the iPad Pro M1, including devices like , Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio.
The M2 iPad Pro brings some minor upgrades, including Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6E.
Memory Variants and Pricing
However, in reality, the iPad Pro M1, being released earlier, is undoubtedly more affordable than the iPad Pro M2.
Camera, Video, and Audio
In terms of specifications, the cameras on both models are nearly identical.
Currently, the only differences between M2 and M1 iPad Pro are Smart HDR 4 compared to Smart HDR 3 and the ability to shoot ProRes video up to 4K at 30 frames per second (1080p at 30 frames per second for the 128GB version).
Dimensions, Weight, Colors
The dimensions and weight remain identical between the iPad Pro M2 and iPad Pro M1. Both generations offer color options in gray and silver.
Other Minor Differences
Two minor distinctions you'll notice with the iPad Pro M2:
- USB-C cable neatly bundled inside the box instead of a plastic one
- The back of the device features the label 'iPad Pro' instead of 'iPad' seen on previous iPad Pro models
- The space gray variant of iPad Pro M2 may appear slightly lighter than the space gray of iPad Pro M1 with antennas designed for different mobile types.
Conclusion
Considering all the minor differences mentioned above, it's evident that if you're using the iPad Pro M1, there's not much reason to upgrade to the iPad Pro M2 unless you truly can harness the full graphics power of the M1 chip and want to upgrade to the M2 for handling more demanding tasks.
If you're using older iPad Pro models, it's a different story. You should seriously consider opting for the newer iPad Pro M2 if you intend to use it in the long run. Being released later, the more powerful chip allows the device to receive software upgrades for a longer duration, offering additional features to cater to professional work and advanced needs.
