iPad Pro (M4): Durability test reveals downside of fancy new nano-texture glass upgrade

The iPad Pro 2024 (or M4) is the first of its kind to come with a "Nano-texture glass" treatment for its display, touted to optimize the "scattering" of ambient light to boost contrast and color reproduction - and also, of course, reducing glare - on its tandem OLED display.

However, it is also an optional upgrade that adds yet another $100 to the price of a new 1TB or 2TB iPad Pro, thereby pushing the price of even the 11-inch Wi-Fi variant to as much as $2,099.

Nevertheless, it cannot save that thicker version of Apple's latest flagship tablet from bending just like its 13-inch flagship sibling, as demonstrated by popular durability YouTuber JerryRigEverything.

The new iPad Pro 11 eventually snapped along the same points of weakness as on the 13, which begin at a microphone hole at the top of the tablet perfectly in line with the USB-C port at the bottom. Furthermore, and more ominously, the tablet also failed the famous Mohs hardness pick test at a mere level 3, with "deeper grooves" at a level 4.

On closer inspection, however, this was found to be due to the nano-texture glass coating either coming off on the picks, or eroding their tips. Nevertheless, similar effects were elicited by more everyday things such as Philips-head screws and razor blades, suggesting that the new anti-glare upgrade might make the new iPad Pro even more fragile than first thought.

Check out our freshly-minted review to figure out if it might be worth it - and even if not, screen protectors like this one from ESR are available on Amazon.