All iPads iPad Pro M5 Nano Glass vs. iPad Air M4?

[usmaak]

I have been trying an iPad Pro M5 Nano Glass for just about six weeks. My last day to return it is 4/1. It’s a great machine, though I’m not totally sold on the nano glass and think that it messes with the contrast and screen clarity a bit too much. The problem I am having with it is that it is hurting my eyes. My eyes get tired pretty quickly when using it and I get eye muscle aches. Initially I tried an M5 Pro with regular glass and that one affected my eyes even more quickly so I got returned it early on.

I got the M5 to replace an older M2 Pro that has gotten really slow and the battery doesn’t hold a charge for very long. I could keep the M2 Pro and work with it to try and speed it up. I’d have to keep it plugged in because it tears through a full charge. I was also considering picking up an M4 because I think that a screen that is not Tandem OLED might be better on my eyes. I’ve never had any issues with the M2 Pro hurting my eyes.

The M5 is pretty overpowered for my use. I just edit some photos, read books, browse the web, do some AI stuff, and watch YouTube. Even the M2 is overpowered for that. My biggest concern is that the M4 screen does not have ProMotion. I also love the Magic Keyboard on the M5. I dislike the M2 Pro Magic Keyboard.

So my choices are:

1. Keep the M5 and limit use. When it starts to tire my eyes, set it aside.
2. Get rid of the M5 and keep using the M2. Then I lose the nice keyboard and am stuck with the Magic Keyboard for M2.
3. Get rid of the M5 and get an M4 Air. I lose the nice keyboard. I’m not sure what the Magic Keyboard is like for the M4 Air.

If you all were facing this choice, what would you do?

 

[thadoggfather]

Run diagnostics

Collect sysdiagnose logs using AssistiveTouch

When troubleshooting issues on iPhones or iPads, it can be helpful to collect sysdiagnose logs. To get the device to collect these types of logs, you must simultaneously press both volume buttons and the side or top button, depending on the iPhone or iPad model you have. When the device vibrates...

vowe.net

see if your panel is LG or Samsung (top comment), would be a curious data point

https://www.reddit.com/r/iPhone16Pro/comments/1ilt1vb/lg_or_samsung_panel

If your eyes hurt, maybe don't keep it? Try a glossy if you dont like nano too

Air is gonna be a noticeable step down without ProMotion.

I have a samsung m4 11 inch nano and I really like it. no eye strain. Coming from 11 inch 128gb m1 after 5 years.

 

[usmaak]

Run diagnostics

Collect sysdiagnose logs using AssistiveTouch

When troubleshooting issues on iPhones or iPads, it can be helpful to collect sysdiagnose logs. To get the device to collect these types of logs, you must simultaneously press both volume buttons and the side or top button, depending on the iPhone or iPad model you have. When the device vibrates...

vowe.net

see if your panel is LG or Samsung (top comment), would be a curious data point

https://www.reddit.com/r/iPhone16Pro/comments/1ilt1vb/lg_or_samsung_panel

If your eyes hurt, maybe don't keep it? Try a glossy if you dont like nano too

Air is gonna be a noticeable step down without ProMotion.

I have a samsung m4 11 inch nano and I really like it. no eye strain. Coming from 11 inch 128gb m1 after 5 years.

I didn’t mention this part because it doesn’t really factor in to my current decision. Early on, I tried a glossy screen and returned it pretty quickly because I could tell that my eyes were struggling to focus on it. That was a Samsung screen. The nano glass one I have now is an LG.

I guess it is an interesting data point though.

 

[The Game 161]

i love nano texture and now won't use an ipad without it. not seen any real difference in quality either. has far more pros than cons for me.

 

[okkibs]

The problem is most likely the OLED technology that the iPad Pros use nowadays. You discovered yourself that the nano display causes less eye-strain than the iPad Pro with the more reflective screen so the nano is actually better on the eyes. But if your eyes are sensitive to the high-frequency flickering that OLED panels have then it might strain your eyes too much.

Your iPad Pro M2 uses either the same type of display as the iPad Air or a miniLED one. If you have the Pro M2 11" then it's the same type of display as the iPad Air. If you have the 12.9" version then you have the miniLED with better contrast.

If you are ok with a 13" iPad I recommend you get an iPad Pro M2 12.9". If you have the 11" now then sell it. If you have the 12.9" already then bring it in for a battery replacement service with Apple. They will likely refuse it in which case I suggest you sell that one to replace it with an identical iPad Pro M2 12.9". But if Apple accepts the battery replacement service then you will get the entire iPad replaced with an identical refurbished one with a new battery. This will be the cheapest fix for your issues as it will restore the iPad battery life and performance.

If you want a smaller 11" version then you can only get the cheaper low contrast screen as there is no miniLED 11" iPad at all and the iPad Pro M4 11" has the same OLED eye-strain issues as the M5 models.

Or you could spend the money on an Macbook Neo or Macbook Air instead. Neither of them should cause eye-strain.

 

[teohyc]

If your M2 still works, there isn't compelling reason to upgrade.
It's just spending money to get a new tablet that will do the same work as your current one.

 

[usmaak]

If your M2 still works, there isn't compelling reason to upgrade.
It's just spending money to get a new tablet that will do the same work as your current one.

Not really. The battery is at 89% and it only lasts a few hours per charge. It has slowed down. I think that there is something wrong with it, but not sure.

 

[Greenmeenie]

As one of the commenters posted, it looks like you are one of the 10-15% of people who are sensitive to the flickering PWM(pulse wave modulation) Apple uses on the OLED screen iPad Pros. Some people are more sensitive than others. Symptoms are eyestrain & headaches. Supposedly it's more pronounced the dimmer the screen settings(btwn 25% & 50%) as you brighten the screen it's less severe with anything over 88% i believe not an issue at all. That's fine if you are in a brightly lit room. But if you use your iPad in a dimly lit room and lower the brightness, that's when you'll probably start feeling the affects. Have you noticed where the screen brightness levels were when you got eyestrain the most? Try using the iPad at full brightness and then at 50% or below and compare how your eyes feel.

Anyway, I am currently testing this on myself. I think I have only mild sensitivity to PWM so i may buy the M5 iPad Pro regardless. But I tend to draw on my iPad late into the night, so if i decide that it is an issue, I have no problem going with the M4 iPad Air. It comes with the same 12gb of ram as the M5 iPad Pro which is great for future proofing, and it is an amazingly powerful tablet for a much cheaper price.

 

[Meedoss]

Nano is king no glare

 

[thadoggfather]

Nano is king no glare

I really do enjoy it more and more myself. It’s such a novel experience on an iPad to never have any glare

 

[SpaceJello]

Not really. The battery is at 89% and it only lasts a few hours per charge. It has slowed down. I think that there is something wrong with it, but not sure.

If battery is only a few hours of charges, maybe bring it into Apple? Also, if you have AppleCare, they will change the battery if it goes below 80% of its original full charge capacity.

 

[usmaak]

If battery is only a few hours of charges, maybe bring it into Apple? Also, if you have AppleCare, they will change the battery if it goes below 80% of its original full charge capacity.

I don't have AppleCare on it, unfortunately. I think I might try wiping it and setting it up as a new device. I have a lot of apps on it and I rarely use most of them.