Apple Details New iPad Pro's XDR Display, Thunderbolt Support, and iPadOS Updates Over 5G in New Support Documents

[MacRumors]

The new iPad Pro started arriving to customers on Friday, and Apple has since shared additional details about the device in a series of support documents, covering topics like the Liquid Retina XDR display, Thunderbolt and USB4 support, 5G networking on cellular models, and the new Center Stage front camera feature for video calls.

In addition to up to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness, Apple said the Liquid Retina XDR display supports a peak brightness of 1,600 nits for highlights in up to 40 percent of the screen area when the rest of the image is black or at a brightness of up to 600 nits:

To achieve Extreme Dynamic Range required an entirely new display architecture on iPad Pro. The all new 2D mini-LED backlighting system with individually controlled local dimming zones was the best choice for delivering the extremely high full-screen brightness and contrast ratio, and off-axis color accuracy, that creative professionals depend on for their workflows.

The Liquid Retina XDR display can support up to 1000 nits of full-screen brightness. It can also support up to 1600 nits for highlights in up to 40 percent of the screen area when the rest of that image is black or at brightness up to 600 nits.

Apple said the M1 chip is the engine behind the new display:

Additionally, custom algorithms run on the advanced display engine of the M1 chip, working at the pixel level to control the mini-LED and LCD layers of the display separately, treating them as two distinct displays. These proprietary algorithms coordinate the mini-LED and LCD layers across transitions to deliver the optimal visual experience. Transitional characteristics of local dimming zones, such as a slight blur or color change while scrolling against black backgrounds, are normal behavior.

As for Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 support, Apple said some accessories can request higher power from the iPad Pro, so the company has reminded customers to disconnect these accessories from the device when they aren't being used:

iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) also support a wide ecosystem of high-performance Thunderbolt and USB4 accessories. Some accessories can request higher power from your iPad, which might affect battery life. To extend battery life, remember to disconnect these accessories from iPad Pro when you aren't using them. Refer to your accessory manufacturers’ specifications for more information.

In line with iPhone 12 models, Apple confirmed that iPadOS updates over cellular are supported on the new iPad Pro when "Allow More Data on 5G" is enabled:

Allow More Data on 5G: Enables higher data-usage features for apps and system tasks. These include higher-quality FaceTime, high-definition content on Apple TV, Apple Music songs and videos, and iPadOS updates over cellular. This setting also allows third-party apps to use more cellular data for enhanced experiences.

The new iPad Pro features a new Ultra Wide front camera enabling Center Stage, a new feature that automatically keeps users perfectly framed during FaceTime video calls. Apple goes over the feature's settings in a support document.

A list of the new or updated support documents:

• About the Liquid Retina XDR display on iPad Pro
• Charge and connect with the USB-C port on your iPad
• Use 5G with your iPad
• Use Center Stage on your iPad Pro

The iPad and iPadOS sections of the MacRumors forums are also helpful resources.

Article Link: Apple Details New iPad Pro's XDR Display, Thunderbolt Support, and iPadOS Updates Over 5G in New Support Documents

 

[InuNacho]

All that potential but only one port and an OS that still gimped, even with its "Files" app.

 

[fontman]

OH My

 

[cmaier]

All that potential but only one port and an OS that still gimped, even with its "Files" app.

Wait until WWDC re: the OS.

 

[thadoggfather]

"Transitional characteristics of local dimming zones, such as a slight blur or color change while scrolling against black backgrounds, are normal behavior."


TIL users are scrolling static UI elements:

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

That’s very informative!! Nice!!!

 

[GeoStructural]

iPad Pro needs a pro OS and pro apps. I got my $1900 iPad Pro yesterday (12.9 in, 1 TB), I love it, but even web browsing is handicapped by iOS, the website I use the most for work relies a lot on horizontal scrolling and the iPad simply cannot handle it, I need to go to the PC for that.

Also, the fact that you need a PC to transfer your music library is infuriating , come on Apple.

 

[MJaP]

"Transitional characteristics of local dimming zones, such as a slight blur or color change while scrolling against black backgrounds, are normal behavior."


TIL users are scrolling static UI elements:

They've got one dimming zone covering roughly every 46x49 block of pixels, great for dynamic moving picture where persistance of vision covers for it but a nightmare for high contrast static text and graphics where bloom can run rampant... and part of the reason why professionals DON'T use Apple's XDR monitor for production critical work.

 

[Sebosz]

Wait until WWDC re: the OS.

I’m gonna laugh if it will turn out that all they’re gonna introduce is widgets on Home Screen like on iOS devices 😆

 

[BF1M]

Still say they should have just gone OLED but whatever....

 

[thadoggfather]

Still say they should have just gone OLED but whatever....

I really wonder why they didnt

 

[Antes]

can confirm the slight blur and color change is very noticeable especially when the brightness is very low with dark content being displayed. honestly it does bring does bring down the experience but I feel it’s better than what’s on the previous models. Baby steps 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

[haruhiko]

So the support document now confirms that my carrier supports 5G on the iPhone but not on the iPad. So ridiculous.

edit: the dude who disagreed with me: care to explain why my iPad Pro only supports LTE connection but not 5G on the same carrier? I’m very confused too.

 

[BF1M]

I really wonder why they didnt

Cause Apple...


They certainly can't say it was because of cost. My side is still sore from the nephrectomy I had to volunteer for to pay for this one...

 

[Caviar_X]

Anyone else missing the Center Stage setting? I'm on the latest 14.7 beta. Yes I have the 12.9.

Edit: nevermind - I had to restart

 

[radus]

I am a weak person, I could not resist and bought the 12.9 1TB . Here is the Geekbench compared to the older 2018 iPad 12.9 1TB. The new Keyboard is great esp. the trackpad makes it easier to write. The pencil is no different - but I bought it new. I connected it to the Pro Display XDR. It worked - kind of, it doubled the display but it did not use all of the XDR‘s screen.

 

[zombierunner]

I couldn't really tell the difference in the youtube videos and the m1 ipad pro was only marginally faster than the a12z. I am sticking with the 2018 iPad Pro.

 

[Just sayin...]

Wait until WWDC re: the OS.

Fingers crossed🤞- for me, the current iPadOS is about 98% of the way there. Just a couple of minor changes/additions and this new 12.9” IPP can be my only compute device…

 

[IceStormNG]

I really wonder why they didnt

Because miniLED is the new hot ****. Apple is absolute king in marketing.

 

[Serban55]

All that potential but only one port and an OS that still gimped, even with its "Files" app.

i have 2 ports...1 for charging and 1 thunderbolt

 

[btrach144]

Because miniLED is the new hot ****. Apple is absolute king in marketing.

Clearly from the blooming users are reporting, it’s not.

OLED is still king IMO.

As someone who has had a local dimming ASUS display ($2,500) for three years now, no matter how many zones you add, it’ll have some degree of blooming and will be noticeable in dark areas on the display.

Maybe microLED will be able to change that.

 

[IceStormNG]

Clearly from the blooming users are reporting, it’s not.

Well. I made that statement based on the "vocal majority" on the internet. There was a lot of hype about miniLED. And they all want that in the upcoming macs. Good by professional work that needs good color and contrast accuracy.

I know why I don't hop onto any hype bandwagon... Better wait what the results are and then decide.

Sadly.. OLED is not really a thing on PC monitors. In TVs and Phones it's widely available. I would really like to have a 27" or 32" OLED monitor. But haven't seen one yet.

 

[DanTSX]

I couldn't really tell the difference in the youtube videos and the m1 ipad pro was only marginally faster than the a12z. I am sticking with the 2018 iPad Pro.

This goes to show how far ahead the 2018 IPP (and really the 10.5” IPP transitional model before that) were ahead of their time.

 

[Serban55]

OLED is not really a thing on PC monitors. In TVs and Phones it's widely available. I would really like to have a 27" or 32" OLED monitor. But haven't seen one yet.

Its not an accident...all oled for business are out because of the blue pixels fading too soon
Oled will not be widely available for monitors until microLEd
microLEd will change the displays from everything...will change the oled , mini-led

 

[ACHD]

Well. I made that statement based on the "vocal majority" on the internet. There was a lot of hype about miniLED. And they all want that in the upcoming macs. Good by professional work that needs good color and contrast accuracy.

I know why I don't hop onto any hype bandwagon... Better wait what the results are and then decide.

Sadly.. OLED is not really a thing on PC monitors. In TVs and Phones it's widely available. I would really like to have a 27" or 32" OLED monitor. But haven't seen one yet.

It is becoming more and more common especially on laptops now. Other tablets have had it for awhile as well.
Mini LED cost Less.

List of OLED monitors on the market | OLED-Info

OLED display technology enables the world's best displays - with superb image quality, low response times, low power consumption. OLEDs can enable thin, light and even flexible monitors. OLEDs however found it difficult to enter the monitor market due mostly to burn-in challenges and high...

www.oled-info.com

here is a current list. They seem to have a 27" one listed :}/