Note: This article was first published on 9 May 2024.
If you plan to get the new M4 Apple iPad Pro, there are four things to take note: eSIM, absence of an ultra-wide camera, lack of 2x optical zoom, and its incompatibility with the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen).
Apple's new M4 iPad Pro is the biggest update to the lineup in years, and it has an extensive range of new features. Hence, it is easy to miss out on these four smaller changes that we feel are worth knowing, especially if you plan to purchase one.
Supports eSIM only
The M4 Apple iPad Pro cellular models only supports eSIM.
While the M2 iPad Pro supports nano-SIM and eSIM, the M4 iPad Pro only supports eSIM. This means existing users of cellular iPad models have to convert to eSIM,, which may or may not incur additional charges depending on their telco.
M1 is currently offering a free 5G eSIM upgrade for existing customers on 4G SIM/4G eSIM (worth $37.80) until further notice. StarHub's eSIM is only available for new sign ups of its Star Plan.
For Singtel customers, the nominal fee of $10.90 is waived as a token of appreciation when you sign up for a new number, port in, or re-contract. Otherwise, you have to pay the fee to switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM if your contract is not ready for renewal.
Lack of an ultra-wide camera
The M4 Apple iPad Pro ditches the ultra-wide camera of the M2 iPad Pro.
While the M4 iPad Pro comes with Adaptive True Tone flash for better document scanning, Apple ditched the 10MP ultra-wide camera of the M2 iPad Pro. This shouldn't be an issue for most users, but the niche segment of users who like to take photos with their iPad Pro might miss the ultra-wide lens.
No 2x optical zoom out
The M4 Apple iPad Pro does not support 2x optical zoom out.
Because of the removed ultra-wide camera, the new M4 iPad Pro also does not support 2x optical zoom out. Again, this is not a feature that many users will miss. However, a small group of users might like to have this feature on their iPad Pro.
Incompatibility with the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)
The M4 Apple iPad Pro does not support the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen).
We saw this coming; the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) launched in 2018 is not compatible with the M4 iPad Pro.
The new iPad Pro supports the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the Apple Pencil Pro, so this is a bummer for existing iPad users with the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) as they have to get the S$199 Apple Pencil Pro or the S$119 Apple Pencil (USB-C) along with their new tablets.
Source: Apple
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