The repair experts at iFixit have now conducted the first teardown of the M1 iPad Pro, revealing the device's new MiniLED backlight and other changes from previous models.
Although a full teardown has not yet been published, iFixit has released a new YouTube video took a first look under the hood of the new M1 iPad Pro models. While there are some major changes from the A-series iPad Pro, iFixit's focus was on the new MiniLED-based XDR display. Compared to previous Apple tablets, access to the device hasn't changed much, according to iFixit. Removing the display requires heat, careful prying, and some patience to avoid damaging any cables or sensitive components. After removing the display, iFixit found only a few significant changes from the non-M1 iPad Pros. The device has new 5G antennas on the sides to enable 5G connectivity, and inside is a 10566 mAh (40.33Wh) battery.
M1 iPad Pro Teardown: iFixit explains how it works
There's also a new front-facing camera with an ultra-wide field of view that enables the company's "Center Stage" feature. The iFixit teardown also gave us a closer look at how the new MiniLED backlight works. Traditionally, Apple's devices have used a single strip of LEDs across one edge of the display to provide backlighting. The new iPad Pro's MiniLED backlight uses tiny grids of LEDs that improve both quality and contrast. The iFixit video has a much more detailed explanation and images that are helpful in understanding how the new MiniLED display works. So it's worth watching the clip. The teardowns of the M1 iPad Pro models have not yet been completed. As soon as iFixit is finished, it will publish a repair guide as well as the website's typical repairability rating. (Image: Apple)