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A Year with the iPad Pro M4: Has iPadOS 26 Made It Perfect?

After using the iPad Pro M4 for over a year, I’ve experienced its highs and lows, from its stunning design to its initial shortcomings. With the release of iPadOS 26, Apple has addressed many of the issues that plagued this device at launch, introducing features that make it more versatile and powerful than ever. Here’s a deep dive into what makes the iPad Pro M4 shine, where it still falls short, and why this might just be the iPad we’ve been waiting for.

Impossibly Thin Design: A Triumph with Trade-offs

Apple’s “impossibly thin” design for the iPad Pro M4 sparked skepticism due to concerns about durability. Could something this thin withstand daily use without bending? After a year, I can confidently say the design is a standout. The sleek black finish, perfectly sized bezels, and featherlight build make this peak iPad aesthetics. It feels premium, portable, and visually striking.

However, when paired with the Magic Keyboard, the iPad Pro becomes noticeably heavier. While the keyboard enhances functionality, a lighter or thinner Magic Keyboard would make the combo more portable. Despite this, the design remains one of the iPad’s strongest selling points.

Nano-Texture Glass: A Mixed Bag

For the first time, Apple introduced nano-texture glass to the iPad Pro, promising a matte, non-reflective display ideal for outdoor use. Working in coffee shops or under sunlight, the standard glass outperformed my expectations, delivering a sharp, reflection-free experience. However, my brief experience with the nano-texture glass was less impressive. While it excels in bright environments, it attracts smudges and dirt, especially during travel (like my trip to Paris). Apple recommends using their proprietary polishing cloth, which adds an extra step to maintenance. Ultimately, I swapped it for the standard glass, which didn’t compromise display quality. Nano-texture glass is great for some, but it wasn’t for me.

Apple Pencil Pro: A Game-Changer

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The Apple Pencil Pro elevates the iPad Pro experience with features like Find My support and haptic feedback. Misplacing an expensive stylus is a nightmare, but Find My has been a lifesaver, whether I’ve left it at a coffee shop or on a plane. The squeeze gesture, which brings up the tool palette for quick highlighting or erasing, is intuitive and seamless. Haptic feedback also alerts you when the battery is low, adding a thoughtful touch. These small details make the Apple Pencil Pro a must-have accessory for creatives.

Magic Keyboard: A MacBook-Like Experience

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The redesigned Magic Keyboard brings a MacBook-like experience to the iPad Pro. The aluminum palm rest feels premium, and the addition of a function key row for brightness, media, and volume controls is a game-changer. Larger haptic feedback enhances typing, though the palm rest can get warm in summer or cold in winter. These upgrades make the iPad Pro feel like a true laptop replacement for many tasks.

Ultra Retina XDR Display: Unmatched Brilliance

The iPad Pro M4’s Ultra Retina XDR OLED display is, without question, Apple’s finest. With 1600 nits of HDR brightness and a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, it delivers deep blacks, vibrant whites, and unmatched clarity. Whether I’m watching movies on a plane or sketching with the Apple Pencil, the touchscreen form factor makes this display stand out among Apple’s lineup. It’s a joy for media consumption and creative work alike.

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Smart Home Integration with Aqara

As a smart home enthusiast, I’ve been upgrading my setup with Apple HomeKit accessories, and Aqara’s Prime Day deals have been a fantastic opportunity. From the Aqara U300 smart lock with Apple Home Key support to their vibrant LED strips and reliable G3 camera, Aqara products are affordable and seamless. Their water leak sensor even automates my heated towel rail, ensuring a warm towel post-shower. Motion and light sensors enable clever automations, like curtains adjusting based on sunlight. Aqara’s deals make now the perfect time to dive into or expand your smart home.

M4 Chip: Power Without Purpose?

The M4 chip promised blazing-fast CPU and GPU performance, and it delivers. However, the iPad’s app-driven workflow limits its potential compared to a Mac. Video editing and graphic design are possible, but the Mac’s file-driven system feels more efficient. On the iPad, you open an app like Pages or Word before accessing a file, which can slow down creative workflows. The iPad Pro’s high price, especially with accessories, puts it in MacBook Air territory, raising expectations for professional-grade performance.

iPadOS 26: A Leap Forward

iPadOS 26 addresses many longstanding frustrations, particularly in file and window management. Key improvements include:

• Window Management: You can now place windows anywhere on the screen, with intuitive controls to close, hide, or resize apps. This feels like a natural extension of the Mac’s windowing system.

• Menu Bar: Apps like Pages, Safari, and Files now support a menu bar, a feature third-party developers can leverage for a more desktop-like experience.

• File Management: Folders in the dock, customizable folder colors, and sorting options (by size or kind) bring the iPad closer to the Mac’s file system. The addition of a Preview app for PDFs is a welcome surprise.

• Background Tasks: Downloads and exports (e.g., in Safari or Final Cut Pro) continue even when you switch apps or close the iPad, a massive productivity boost.

• Cursor Design: The quirky circular cursor is gone, replaced by a proper pointer that feels right at home.

These changes make the iPad Pro more fluid and versatile, bridging the gap between tablet and computer.

Is the iPad Pro M4 Perfect?

iPadOS 26 delivers 90% of the features users have been clamoring for, transforming the iPad Pro into a smarter, more creative device. Its modularity—shifting seamlessly from tablet to laptop to journal—sets it apart. The M4 chip, stunning display, and thoughtful accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard make it a powerhouse.

However, it’s not perfect. File management, while vastly improved, still lacks the full freedom of macOS. The iPad’s app-driven workflow can feel restrictive for creative professionals, and its price (especially with accessories) demands near-perfection. While I don’t believe the iPad should run macOS, offering the option could unlock its full potential.

The iPad Moment We’ve Been Waiting For

After WWDC, it’s clear the iPad Pro was the star of the show. iPadOS 26 makes it the most capable iPad yet—an incredible tablet, journal, and computer. It’s not a full Mac replacement, but it’s closer than ever. With continued refinements, the iPad Pro M4 could redefine what a tablet can do. For now, it’s the iPad we’ve been waiting for since the first one launched.