Unseen RAM Details on the iPad Pro M4 Base Model
The base variant of the iPad Pro M4 appears to ship with 12GB of RAM, not the 8GB that Apple publicly lists. This discrepancy has been reported by the Tom’s Hardware portal, which indicates that Apple effectively disables a portion of memory that is physically present on the device.
The surprising finding emerged from a detailed teardown video. In the footage, technicians carefully examined the RAM labeling on the board and concluded that the entry-level model does not adhere to the expected 8GB specification. Instead, the teardown revealed two Micron memory chips with a combined capacity that, under the mislabeling used in the video, translates to a scenario where the base model actually offers 12GB of RAM. In contrast, the higher-priced Pro configurations, which are listed as having 16GB of RAM, align with the actual memory installed and show no discrepancy between stated and realized memory capacity.
Why Apple has allocated less usable memory in the standard configuration remains unclear. One theory suggests that Apple initially considered positioning a 12GB option for younger or lower-tier variants but later decided that the gap between the base and higher-end models would be too small to matter to consumers. Another possibility is a constraint in memory supply, with Micron possibly facing a shortage of certain 4GB chips. Regardless of the reason, the practical impact is that users may not be getting the memory they assume they are paying for when purchasing the base model. The technical details imply a locking mechanism or firmware-level limitation that prevents users from accessing the full, physically present memory.
Earlier industry chatter also touched on Apple expanding its emoji set across devices, including potential additions for iPhones. Rumors circulated that new emojis could accompany the next software update, including one featuring eyes tired from use and several other new icons. While these emojis are a separate topic, they reflect the broader pattern of Apple expanding both hardware capabilities and software features in tandem to keep devices feeling current and expressive for users in North America.