iPad Pro Covert from the Glossy to Nano Texture Display - Best Screen I’ve Used

[Macintosh101]

I’ve owned various 11 inch and 12.9 iPad Pro models, at some points in time both. I got the new 11” M4 on release, standard glossy display. When I checked out the various models in the Apple Store I massively disliked the nano texture display (and even posted on these boards a whole thread about my negative impressions of it). What bothered me was that whiter backgrounds had a faint ‘dirty screen’ effect typical of matte displays (although not as pronounced) and I felt it was a downgrade on the regular glossy screen. However, this was in Apple Store lighting conditions.

Moving forward, after two months of owning the 11” model (which is fantastic), I had the chance to see and briefly use a model with the Nano Texture display outside of the Apple Store environment. I was a completely different experience.

I purchased the 13” model with the Nano Texture display and have been using it daily for 2 weeks, and have had the chance to directly compare it to the glossy display on the 11”.

Firstly, there is no comparison between the nano texture and a matte screen protector imo (and I’ve tried many matte screen protectors in the past).

Without wanting to be too hyperbolic, I can honestly say the Nano texture display is the best screen I’ve ever used on a mobile device. As others have noted, using it feels like text and images are on printed paper. It is so much easier on the eyes for reading, note taking, photo editing, etc. Streaming video on the nano texture display is unlike any other experience I’ve had on an iPad or laptop. It feels like sitting in a movie theatre, with the image ‘projected’ onto the screen.

In terms of colours and black levels, using the 13” (nano) and 11” (glossy) side by side, the nano texture display wins every time. This is because the glossy display, whilst having marginally deeper blacks, never really gets the chance to show those off in daytime lighting conditions, because it of its reflective surface. The nano texture display is much more consistent to use, moving between different lighting conditions and practically eliminates all glare. It makes using other devices I own (15 Pro Max, MacBook Pro) not as pleasant, because you begin to really notice how reflective they are. I sat outside in the bright sun for a couple days using the 13” and was able to see everything clearly, with no glare. Using it indoors when I’m working also feels like a very different experience than using the glossy.

Another note: it doesn’t show fingerprints anywhere near as much, and cleaning any off with the supplied cleaning cloth is very quick and effective.

I’m happy to admit I was vey wrong on this. If I could now have this display on my various other devices I would do so in a heartbeat. Hopefully this helps others who are intrigued by it.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Glad to hear. I made a post about my impressions as well and it was positive.

One thing I forgot to add was that the iPad nano texture is seemingly different than those on Apple’s monitors. As an owner of a nano Studio display, the iPad version seems have better clarity/sharpness.

Still though, the price due to the forced upgrade sucks.

 

[h2ofun]

I just bit the bullet, 13 inch pro, 2 tb, 5G, Nano. I just loaded a ton of movies. Never ever have to worry about space!@!

 

[Analog Kid]

This aligns with my experience. It has just been a fantastic experience. It's far more readable day to day. Video has been otherworldly clear and crisp-- I can't really understand why as the underlying panel has the same resolution, maybe it's a psychological difference with my eyes not getting distracted by reflections, but I've found it really crisp.

Side bonus is my battery life has improved to the point I never reach the end of the day with less than 50% charge and I have to assume it's because I don't need crank the display power up to 11 all the time. I'm in a sunlit room right now with my iPad at about 40% brightness running sidecar on my MBP which is around 85%

Still though, the price due to the forced upgrade sucks.

Apple didn't know what their demand would be, so I'm guessing they limited the number of SKUs they had to support. I wouldn't be surprised if the success here sees Apple deploy this more broadly. Maybe it will be retained as a "pro" feature, but I'd hope it will become available across the pro lines. I find myself really wanting it on my phone, for example.

In my case I typically outfit my iPads with as much storage as I can, so it didn't hurt me, but if I only wanted a lower spec'd device with the nanotexture I could imagine the double markup would hurt.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I may give the nano a try if I decide to also get the 11" M4 (instead of waiting for the mini update). If not, I will do so the next time Apple releases a new pro model.

 

[the future]

I really hope the nano iPad is a test run for a forthcoming nano iPhone. A nano MacBook should be a given.

 

[Macintosh101]

This is a superb video demonstration of the Nano texture vs glossy display I found on YouTube. Very useful anyone who wants to understand just how much it eliminates all glare and reflections:

 

[Matcha]

i have the 11” glossy 1TB 5G i also want the nano texture it’s a hard decision I don’t want to sell my 11”
I might get nano texture in a 13” non-5G later down the road.

 

[f1restarter]

I always wished for an e-ink like display with richer colours and contrast and therefore wanted to see the iPad M4 nano side by side with the glossy oled screen. In the Apple Store under the bright lights you can definitely notice a slight difference in colours and black levels as my girlfriend immediately pointed out, but still to me the difference was not such a huge one as to dismiss the pros of the nano screen vs the cons. Then the online reviews on YouTube like MKBHD and TWIT were saying to go for the glossy screen and almost all other reviewers were dismissing the nano screen. So I did a two week trial of the 13” nano and have now decided to keep it. I am glad I did not listen to the reviews and actually used it at home and see for myself.

Of course this is no e-ink like experience but IMO it comes very close and as others have mentioned here, the photos and text almost looks like print sometimes. In my bedroom there is a lot of sunlight in the morning which made using a glossy laptop annoying to use and now viewing content on the nano screen is a joy. Last night I was watching Blade Runner 2049 on Amazon Prime and WOW!! The picture quality absolutely blew me away. I am pretty sure the glossy oled iPad and the Nano will be near indistinguishable when seen in completely dark environment.

Personally for me another huge bonus is the smooth feel of the nano screen as I don’t really like scrolling/swiping on a glossy screen as I do not like the sticky/draggy sensation of the glossy screen, so this was very nice to know. So in the end I always wished for a non reflective Apple laptop and this will do just fine for now, until Apple decides to release a dual oled nano texture MBP Pro (hopefully in the next year or so) and that will be an instant buy for me.

 

[jr5x]

One thing I forgot to add was that the iPad nano texture is seemingly different than those on Apple’s monitors. As an owner of a nano Studio display, the iPad version seems have better clarity/sharpness.

Hopefully Apple uses the iPad's version of nano texture in its next Studio Display release. 🙏

 

[thadoggfather]

Are the nano Cinema Display and iPad pros really that much better than a previous matte screen from back in the day?

 

[bluespark]

Very helpful thread. I hadn't been thinking much about the nano screen, but my needs are right in line with those of others here, and you've convinced me to try it.

Now I just need to decide between 11" and 13". I'd also like to see a nano option with the iPad mini, as I would like to use a mini for reading, but it has always fallen short of my Kindle for ease in reading text for long periods.

 

[GDF]

I did the same thing as OP, but went from 13 Pro glossy to 13 Pro Nano. My wife told me just to do it and so glad I did. Love the Nano screen.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I just bit the bullet, 13 inch pro, 2 tb, 5G, Nano. I just loaded a ton of movies. Never ever have to worry about space!@!

I ordered the same model yesterday for delivery tomorrow. I already have the standard glass model and exceeded my return window so, decided to spend more and get the nano as well. I hope that my impression and use the nano tomorrow evening is in the same realm as what I have read here.

 

[Surfsalot]

So you've spent $7,038AUD on 2 iPads!!
Apple thanks you

 

[Apple_Robert]

So you've spent $7,038AUD on 2 iPads!!
Apple thanks you

Not that much. Out of pocket about $3600. I used several gift cards with the purchases.

 

[Zest28]

So you've spent $7,038AUD on 2 iPads!!
Apple thanks you

You need to buy more too. Apple stocks are down man!!

 

[RLRabb]

My 13” Pro with 1Tb and nano texture screen arrived yesterday. Very pleased with the screen so far. Very easy on the eyes. I’m getting great battery life too.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I just got the new nano setup and I am very impressed with the non-reflective screen. The difference is huge and immediately noticeable. I am not seeing any text display oddities (dullness, blurriness or other problems like some on the internet have mentioned. I also haven’t seen any blocked images even with my face a few inches from the screen to test. The difference in the black level is very, very subtle between the nano and the standard glass. Unless you have both in front of you and really looking close at the difference, you will start wondering what all the M4 nano drama was about in the first place. There is no question the M4 nano is a very expensive Apple product but for me, I am already happy paying the extra to get the nano, even though I didn’t really need the extra storage to get the nano option.

 

[sparksd]

I just got the new nano setup and I am very impressed with the non-reflective screen. The difference is huge and immediately noticeable. I am not seeing any text display oddities (dullness, blurriness or other problems like some on the internet have mentioned. I also haven’t seen any blocked images even with my face a few inches from the screen to test. The difference in the black level is very, very subtle between the nano and the standard glass. Unless you have both in front of you and really looking close at the difference, you will start wondering what all the M4 nano drama was about in the first place. There is no question the M4 nano is a very expensive Apple product but for me, I am already happy paying the extra to get the nano, even though I didn’t really need the extra storage to get the nano option.

Congrats on the buy - enjoy! Good to hear about the quality of the display. It will be interesting to see about wear over time.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Congrats on the buy - enjoy! Good to hear about the quality of the display. It will be interesting to see about wear over time.

Thanks.

I will be using the MKB and pencil with the nano like I was with the standard glass. That way, there will be hardly any fingerprints (if any) to remove. If I can find a good price on the new MKB, I may get a second keyboard to keep with the standard glass, as it will probably be the model I take back and forth to work. I will probably leave the nano at home unless an exception come up, even though I bought AC+. The delicate nature (easier to scratch (like the aluminum watch) of the nano is definitely on my mind when using the new iPad.

 

[lsh]

I love my Nano. I often use it near windows and most recently, on vacation, in car for the drive and on porch. It wasn’t until I needed to use my MBP that I realized the advantage that Nano has.
I didn’t need the extra space as my data is all cloud based office files. With kids on their own, I can spend money on myself at this life stage and they benefit from my cast offs.
I don’t get a lot of finger prints.

 

[nathan_reilly]

Are the nano Cinema Display and iPad pros really that much better than a previous matte screen from back in the day?

I use a 30" Apple Cinema Display plugged in to a modern MacBook Pro, I also use a m4 iPad Pro with the nano screen. See attached! But for real I love both displays.