iPad Pro is 2021 iPads Pro any brighter than prior version (non HDR)

[bscheffel]

Have heard conflicting information but wanted to know for those who have both 2021 IPP and the prior version (2020 or 2018) - is the 2021 IPP any brighter at equivalent setting than the older version? I know when watching HDR content it gets brighter but if you set both models to 50% brightness, for example, is there any difference in brightness on normal content?

 

[AutomaticApple]

Have heard conflicting information but wanted to know for those who have both 2021 IPP and the prior version (2020 or 2018) - is the 2021 IPP any brighter at equivalent setting than the older version? I know when watching HDR content it gets brighter but if you set both models to 50% brightness, for example, is there any difference in brightness on normal content?

The Mini-LED makes it brighter, yes.

 

[atownguy]

According to Tom’s Guide who actually measured the brightness using a light gun, no, the 12.9 inch iPad Pro is not any brighter than the 2018 or 2020 version when displaying non HDR content. They found the 2021 12.9 inch iPad Pro to be 563 nits for non HDR, but it got up to 1,251 full screen brightness for HDR content.

When looking at the brightness outputs of the iPad Pro 2021, we did two rounds of testing: once on HDR and again with non-HDR content. Our light gun registered an average of 563 nits of brightness for non-HDR content, which is similar to the scores from the 571.3-nit 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 and the iPad Pro 2020 (559 nits).

Their tests are exactly in line with what Apple outlines on their tech specs page for the 12.9 inch Pro (Screenshot below). You get 600 nits max brightness, unless you are watching HDR where they advertise up to 1200 nits full screen brightness, and parts of the screen will be able to get to 1600 nits while displaying HDR.

 

[DreamPod]

When not using HDR, they are exactly the same max brightness. However, the new device will still have far better contrast due to the Mini-LEDs being able to control darkness better. So bright colors will look the same, dark colors will look darker.