The new 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a display that's brighter, darker, and smarter - but the upgrade is only worth it for creative professionals

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• Apple's latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro features a new Liquid Retina XDR display based on Mini-LED backlighting technology.
• The 11-inch iPad Pro display lacks Mini-LED, making the 12.9-inch upgrade worth it for some mobile creative pros.

Apple revealed the next-generation iPad Pro during its Spring Loaded event on April 20 with two major changes: A switch to the M1 processor found in the latest Macs and a new Liquid Retina XDR display that features Mini-LED backlighting. That display is only found in the 12.9-inch model, however, leaving the 11-inch model with the same Liquid Retina display as before.

This means anyone shopping for a new iPad Pro now must choose between two entirely different display technologies rather than deciding which screen size best fits their needs. Let's consider the primary differences between the Liquid Retina XDR display and its XDR-less counterpart to see who might want to use Apple's latest-and-greatest technology.

What is Mini-LED?

Most displays rely on some form of backlighting. Basic models feature a single LED backlight that shines through an LCD panel to illuminate every pixel, while more advanced models feature multiple LEDs that operate within specific zones. Mini-LED shrinks those LEDs to somewhere between 0.1mm and 0.2mm to provide even more control over how precisely the display panel is lit.

That improved control allows Mini-LED backlighting to be more accurate, bright, and energy efficient than larger LEDs. Those traits can in turn enable improved contrast ratios and reduced blooming compared to older displays. Because it's based on existing LED technologies, however, it's cheaper for Apple to switch to Mini-LED backlighting than it would be to switch to OLED.

Speaking of OLED: People familiar with the technology, which illuminates every single diode individually, might wonder how Mini-LED compares. It's complicated. Simply put, OLED is technically capable of greater contrast, for example, because each LED can actually be turned off entirely, and thus produce pure blacks. But OLED displays are often dimmer and more susceptible to burn-in as well.

What this means for the iPad Pro

We can see the benefits of Mini-LED backlighting by comparing the Liquid Retina XDR's specs to the Liquid Retina display found in the previous 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Apple told The Independent that its prior 12.9-inch iPad Pro display was lit by 72 LEDs spread across multiple zones. Comparatively, the Liquid Retina XDR's backlighting is powered by 10,000 Mini-LEDs spread across 2,596 full-array local dimming zones.

The differences afforded by those additional LEDs and local dimming zones are striking. Let's start with brightness. Apple says the Liquid Retina XDR offers 1,600 nits max brightness while viewing HDR content and 1,000 max full-screen brightness as well as 600 nits max brightness during typical use. The Liquid Retina in the previous 12.9-inch model and today's 11-inch variant offers just 600 nits max brightness, full stop.

Having more control over which parts of the display are lit also gives the Liquid Retina XDR a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio more typical of OLED panels than traditional LED backlit displays. Although this will be most noticeable when viewing HDR content, the improved brightness and contrast ratio over the Liquid Retina display should also be evident during daily use.

Despite this increased brightness-and the new M1 chip-the upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Pro is expected to offer the same battery life as its predecessor. While this could be attributed to a larger battery, which would explain why the new iPad Pro is 0.5mm thicker than the old model, it's most likely a testament to the Mini-LED back lighting's energy efficiency.

Who's the Mini-LED for?

Unfortunately the Liquid Retina XDR didn't just bring Mini-LED backlighting to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro; it also raised the tablet's price by $100. (The 11-inch model's price remained the same, which suggests the display is responsible for the 12.9-inch model's new price.) Will it be worth the premium?

That depends. People who regularly watch HDR content, or who plan to use the iPad Pro to edit or create such videos, should benefit from having the Liquid Retina XDR. Anyone who uses their iPad Pro in particularly dark or bright environments might also appreciate the improvements to the tablet's backlighting.

Otherwise the Liquid Retina XDR is a nice-to-have that's likely to reach other iPad models - and become more affordable-in the future. Will it look great now? Almost certainly. Will people still think it looks great several years from now? Probably, and the standard Liquid Retina display is still good enough to hold most folks over until then.