iPad Pro M2 vs M4.
If we compare the iPad Pro M2 vs the iPad Pro M4 we see more technical changes than design changes.
We have a front with relatively thin bezels, although I would have liked to have thinner bezels. Also, I would have liked to see a Dynamic Island, although I understand that the format of the iPad (which can be used in any position), makes it not the most practical, since neither the camera nor the FaceID sensors can be hidden under the screen. However, I think they are slightly thinner than on the previous model (though I'm not sure about that, but I get that feeling when I have both next to me).
The thickness of the device has decreased by 1mm which may not seem like much, but it is and it shows at a glance. It is super thin. It is also considerably lighter. 100 grams practically. And it is very noticeable if you use it without the Magic Keyboard.
Behind it is practically the same, changing the design of the cameras (or camera now) which is now completely aluminum.
If we focus on the technical sections there we see many more changes. The first one that jumps out at first glance is the Tandem OLED screen. It has a more accurate calibration and very well calibrated colors and, above all, better blacks and without the problems that were observed with the miniLED screen. Brightness is superb, both maximum and minimum. I have not been able to observe the grainy screen that some users have observed.
Pending testing the Surface Pro 11 screen, I find it to be the best screen on the market on any portable device at the moment. I have the version with the normal screen and the brightness and reflections are somewhat lower than the previous model.
The M4 processor is a beast and I do notice some improvement over the M2 in everyday tasks, but as often happens with iPads, the problem is not the (non) lack of power, but the software still lacks some features that I consider basic in a device of this price, such as a clipboard like Android, to play several things simultaneously without stopping one thing (if you are playing an audio and want to continue listening to music while) and things like that.
The audio with respect to the M2 model may have lost some midrange at high volume and exaggerate the bass a bit. At normal volume, both sound great. They are nuanced differences, but being picky, the previous one sounded more "real". Things of making it so fine.
The new location of the camera is better for video calls, but if you use it as a tablet, it ends up being very dirty from the fingerprints. With this location I have mixed feelings. In the end my iPad I use it mostly as a "computer", with the Magic Keyboard, so when I make video calls it looks better in the new location, but when you use it as a tablet it looks worse than before and tends to smudge because the position where you are going to put your hands is where the camera is located.
The accessories have undergone a significant improvement, but for me the most notable improvement and the one I like the most is the new keyboard. It feels much more solid and consistent and when typing with it, it feels like you're using a MacBook. The row of function keys is quite useful and the addition of shortcuts for brightness or volume is appreciated. The larger, haptic trackpad is also a considerable improvement.
The iPad with the case now weighs about 150/170 grams less than the M2 model, which is a considerable improvement and is noticeable when carrying it around. The hinge is also thinner than with the M2, and the hinge feels more solid and robust.
The Apple Pencil Pro also incorporates some interesting new features. The haptic vibration is quite curious and when you select things it gives you quite interesting feedback. The new features for underlining and drawing are welcome.
Overall, the new iPad Pro M4 is an improvement over previous iPads, being a lighter and easier to hold device, with a spectacular screen and a power that exceeds what we ask from an iPad. If you have an iPad Pro M2 I don't think it's worth the change, but if you can or want to, the changes are there and relatively noticeable. If you have one of the first iPad Pro of new design (A18X or A18Z) I think the jump is important and if it is worth it.
iPad Pro M4 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
As with last generation, we have totally different screen aspect ratios. I still prefer the iPad's aspect ratio despite having been using the Galaxy Tab for a while. The only real advantage of the Samsung's aspect ratio is for watching videos, but for productivity I find the iPad's more practical.
In terms of weight and size, although visually the iPad is larger (it is), the increased lightness and thickness make it less of a difference than the previous model. Both are quite nice to hold, although perhaps the iPad has better weight distribution than the Samsung.
Both have very good quality OLED panels, but the iPad's is superior mainly in two aspects: colormetry and brightness.
The Samsung screen tends towards more saturated and vivid colors, more artificial (even in the less saturated mode it allows you to select). The iPad screen has much more realistic, less saturated colors, offering more realistic colors which is noticeable, especially if you like to edit photos from the tablet, as is my case.
The brightness of the iPad is far superior, as well as the issue of reflections.
So, without either screen being bad, the new generation iPad puts it ahead of Samsung in this aspect.
In raw power, the M4 destroys the Qualcomm 8 Gen 2. However, both have more than enough power to be able to do whatever you can think of with a tablet. They have superb performance, but the M4 is several steps ahead, if Apple ever decides to make iPadOS a more versatile system and not an extended shadow of iOS.
Because in terms of software, pending the release of Apple Intelligence (which in Europe will be quite some time from now), Samsung has an operating system that, without being the most visually appealing, is very complete and with so many features that you are not able to get to know them all. Samsung's multitasking and Samsung DEX is much better than Slide Over, Split View and Stage Manager.
The Galaxy AI features are quite useful, although many (such as web page translation) take a long time in Chrome or Safari. I like the photo editing features less than what Google offers on the Pixel. The option to summarize news articles works very well, as do other options you have in system apps, such as notes, they just work and more than satisfactorily. Circle to Search, which comes from Google, I love using it, both on the Pixel and the Galaxy Tab.
As for accessories, I haven't changed my mind much. The keyboard is still above Apple's and the Pencil, for creativity and drawing Apple's is much better, but for writing and note taking Samsung's seems better to me.
As for audio, the aforementioned might make me choose the Samsung over the iPad now. Both have excellent sound, but the lack of mids is more noticeable on the iPad and for my taste, it has an excess of bass.
Therefore, my opinion has not changed that much compared to the iPad Pro M2. I still think Samsung's software is fantastic and the inclusion of AI in its apps and certain elements of the system by Google makes it a cut above in terms of productivity and editing, until Apple releases iPadOS 18 with Apple Intelligence.
However, I like the screen ratio of the iPad better, the accessories are better (and more expensive, yes), it is more powerful, the screen is better and the ecosystem of apps is still significantly better polished in iPadOS than in Android.
The shortcomings that the iPad Pro M2 had with respect to the Samsung in terms of weight and thickness have disappeared, so we are facing two very different devices, but very even. Personally, for the moment I'm sticking with the iPad, especially for the apps, since I use Procreate and Photomator a lot.
