Apple’s latest M4 iPad Pro models have been a letdown in terms of battery performance despite the anticipation surrounding the new OLED technology incorporated. Users found the battery draining quicker than expected, even with normal levels of use. Contrary to the expected power efficiency of the OLED screens, they appear to drain more power than anticipated.
These tablets are the first to utilize the groundbreaking Tandem OLED technology. This advancement was expected to deliver stand-out brightness and color, added energy efficiency, and an extended display lifespan, setting a high bar for future devices. Yet, despite these innovations, the battery life performance seems to be underwhelming.
David Lee, a well-known tech personality on YouTube, also observed that the move from mini-LED to OLED didn’t significantly enhance battery life as previously expected.
M4 iPad Pro’s underwhelming battery performance
This finding, communicated to his extensive YouTube followers, led to questioning the much-publicized benefits of OLED screens over mini-LED.
When tested, the older M1 iPad Pro model with a mini-LED screen slightly outlasted the newer M4 models during a Netflix streaming test at 250 nits brightness. This highlights that the M1 iPad Pro could be more efficient in terms of power usage and offer similar viewing experiences without the concern of a significant drop in battery life.
Interestingly, when it came to gaming, the iPad M4 Pro models demonstrated longer battery life than the M1 variant, potentially due to the updated chipset and performance enhancements they feature. This suggests that the M4 models prioritize energy efficiency during heavy usage, such as gaming, offering extended playtime without compromising on performance.
However, despite these minor variations in battery life, the Tandem OLED technology seems less power-efficient overall. This could pose a challenge for users who need to charge their devices frequently or deal with premature power loss. This can negatively impact user experience, especially for those heavily using video streaming or apps. Consequently, despite the superior display quality, these models may not be the best choice for those prioritizing longer battery life.
