Apple offers a nano-texture glass option for its 2024 iPad Pro models. We’ve seen this before on the Apple Studio Display and Pro Display XDR, but should you pay extra for this glass when purchasing an iPad Pro? Probably not, and here’s why.

You Lose the OLED Display’s Perfect Blacks

One ofthe biggest features of the 2024 iPad Pro modelsis theirUltra Retina XDR displays, which use two OLED panels in tandem to avoid sacrificing brightness levels. As you probably know, OLED displays can deliver perfect blacks with an infinite contrast ratio.

However, on an iPad Pro with nano-texture glass, the blacks appear closer to dark gray due to the matte surface. The colors aren’t as vibrant for the same reason, and therefore, you’re sacrificing a bit in terms of visual fidelity.

Duringthe “Let Loose” launch event of the 2024 iPads, Apple said its nano-texture glass maintains image quality and contrast, but that’s not quite the case. As users pointed out onMacRumors Forums, the display appears hazy, and any dark text on a white background looks degraded.

Nano-Texture Glass Is a Fingerprint Magnet

Since the nano-texture glass offers a matte surface, you’d be quick to assume that it’s more resistant to fingerprints. But in reality, it attracts more fingerprints than the standard glass option. Smudges appear on the screen very quickly and are more noticeable when the iPad displays a white background.

That’s one of the reasons why Apple includes a polishing cloth in the box when you buy an iPad Pro with nano-texture glass.Apple highly recommendsusing its polishing cloth instead of anything else to clean the nano-texture glass without damaging it. So, if you plan to pay extra for the nano-texture glass, that’s one more thing you need to carry around for maintenance.

The $100 Add-On Is Limited to 1TB and 2TB Models

I don’t mind paying $100 extra for the nano-texture glass, but unfortunately, Apple limits this glass option to the 1TB and 2TB iPad Pro models. Therefore, although the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models start at $999 and $1,299, respectively, you need to spend at least $1,699 (for the 11-inch iPad Pro) or $1,999 (for the 13-inch model) if you really want the nano-texture glass to minimize glare.

Most people don’t need 1TB or 2TB of storage space on their iPads, especially withiCloud+ subscription plans available at various price points. So, I don’t understand why Apple forces its customers to upgrade to higher-tier configurations for a matte anti-glare coating.

It Doesn’t Give a Paper-Like Feel

You might think the nano-texture glass would be perfect for drawing as it adds a matte texture to the surface. But that’s not quite the case. Sure, it provides a bit more friction than the standard glass, but it doesn’t come close to the rough texture that some matte screen protectors offer.

In fact, Apple doesn’t even advertise the nano-texture glass for drawing purposes. Its main purpose is to minimize the glare while using the iPad Pro in bright outdoor conditions.

Therefore, if you want a rough surface for drawing, choose the standard glass and thenbuy a Paperlike screen protector(2-pack) for less than 50 bucks. Alternatively, you canbuy ESR’s magnetic paper-feel screen protectorfor under $15, which you may easily detach once you’re done drawing or note-taking on your iPad.

As much as I dislike the nano-texture glass option on the 2024 iPad Pros, it does have a target audience. This add-on could be well worth the price if you mostly use your iPad outdoors or in an area with bright light sources. It does an excellent job of scattering ambient light to minimize glare, which no matte screen protector can match.