The digital art community has been buzzing about the Nano Texture iPad Pro.
This isn’t just your typical iPad upgrade; we’re talking about a screen etched at the nanometer level.
But what does that actually mean for us digital artists? And how does it compare to Paperlike Matte Screen Protector?
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13″ Nano-texture glass
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11″ Nano-texture glass
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Compatible
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Display: 13″ Nano-texture Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display; ProMotion (120Hz); Wide color P3 gamut; 2M:1 contrast ratio Resolution: 2752x2064px at 264PPI Brightness: SDR 1000 nits, XDR 1600 nits Chip: M5 with neural engine (AI) and improved battery life Storage: 1TB | 2TB RAM: 16GB @1TB | 2TB Weight: 1.3lb (580g) Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro (recommended) |
Display: 11″ Nano-texture Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display; ProMotion (120Hz); Wide color P3 gamut; 2M:1 contrast ratio Resolution: 2420x1668px at 264PPI Brightness: SDR 1000 nits, XDR 1600 nits Chip: M5 with neural engine (AI) and improved battery life Storage: 1TB | 2TB RAM: 16GB @1TB | 2TB Weight: ±1lb (440g) Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro (recommended) |
Compatible with iPad Pro M4/M5 and iPad Air M2/M3/M4 Features: Hover, Double-tap, Squeeze, Barrel roll, Pixel-Perfect Precision, Tilt and Pressure Sensitivity, Low Latency for Note-Taking, Drawing, and Art. Attaches, Charges, and Pairs Magnetically |
Display: 13″ Nano-texture Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display; ProMotion (120Hz); Wide color P3 gamut; 2M:1 contrast ratio
Resolution: 2752x2064px at 264PPI
Brightness: SDR 1000 nits, XDR 1600 nits
Chip: M5 with neural engine (AI) and improved battery life
Storage: 1TB | 2TB
RAM: 16GB @1TB | 2TB
Weight: 1.3lb (580g)
Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro (recommended)
Display: 11″ Nano-texture Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display; ProMotion (120Hz); Wide color P3 gamut; 2M:1 contrast ratio
Resolution: 2420x1668px at 264PPI
Brightness: SDR 1000 nits, XDR 1600 nits
Chip: M5 with neural engine (AI) and improved battery life
Storage: 1TB | 2TB
RAM: 16GB @1TB | 2TB
Weight: ±1lb (440g)
Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro (recommended)
Compatible with iPad Pro M4/M5 and iPad Air M2/M3/M4
Features: Hover, Double-tap, Squeeze, Barrel roll, Pixel-Perfect Precision, Tilt and Pressure Sensitivity, Low Latency for Note-Taking, Drawing, and Art. Attaches, Charges, and Pairs Magnetically
Video: Procreate ARTIST Review: NANO TEXTURE vs Standard vs Paperlike Matte Screen Protector
Texture and Feel
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First, let’s talk about the feel.
If you’re expecting a rough surface like the Paperlike screen protector, you might be in for a surprise.
The Nano Texture isn’t rough at all. It has a smooth, matte texture that’s quite pleasant to touch—almost like fine silk.
What really stands out, though, is its resistance to fingerprints and smudges. If you’re someone who hates constantly wiping down your screen, this is a game-changer.
Drawing Experience with Apple Pencil
Now, what does this mean for your drawing experience?
The Apple Pencil Pro glides smoothly on the Nano Texture glass. It doesn’t have that papery resistance that some of us love, but it’s still a nice surface to draw on.
If you’re used to making big strokes, especially when painting, your palm will glide more easily, enhancing your overall experience.
Image Quality and Glare Reduction
When it comes to image quality, in a dark room, there’s hardly any difference between the Nano Texture and standard glass.
However, the real magic happens in brighter environments.
The Nano Texture diffuses light evenly, reducing glare significantly. It’s like having a built-in anti-glare filter, which is especially handy if you work near windows or under bright lights.
For those who love working outdoors, the Nano Texture display is a dream. Imagine sitting in a park on a sunny day without constantly adjusting your iPad to avoid glare. The reduced reflectivity also means less eye strain during long drawing sessions.
Price Considerations
Now, let’s talk about the price.
The Nano Texture option is only available on the 1TB and 2TB iPad Pro models and adds about $100 to the already steep price tag.
It’s like choosing between a standard canvas and a premium, ultra-smooth one.
Whether it’s worth it depends on your workflow, budget, and how much those reflections on a classic screen have been bothering you.
Comparison with Paperlike Matte Screen Protectors
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I’m still a big fan of the rougher, Paperlike texture that matte screen protectors provide.
They offer a bit of resistance when drawing, similar to using a pencil on paper.
However, these protectors do slightly dull the colors and can reduce screen quality, making it feel like you’re looking at your art through a frosted window. They also wear out over time, so you’ll need to replace them periodically.
One drawback of matte screen protectors is that they can create a slight rainbow effect, especially with cheaper brands, which can be distracting. And yes, applying them can be a bit of a hassle—like trying to put a band-aid on perfectly straight!
How to Decide
So, how do you decide between Nano Texture, Paperlike, or standard glass?
It all comes down to personal preference and how you use your iPad.
If you crave that Paperlike feel, a matte screen protector might be your best friend. It’s a great middle ground if you do a lot of outdoor work but don’t want to spend extra on Nano Texture.
On the other hand, if you need color accuracy and screen clarity for tasks like photo editing or video making, the standard glass or Nano Texture might be more suitable.
And if you’re not sure, why not try both? You can always test out the Nano Texture at an Apple Store or pick up a matte screen protector to see what works best for you.
Are you Team Nano Texture, Paperlike or Glossy Screen?
What do you think?
Are you Team Nano Texture, Team Paperlike, or do you prefer the glossy screen? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
And if you’re curious about the new iPads, check out my post about the best iPad for Procreate and get my Procreate brushes and Procreate classes.
Keep creating, and see you in the next post!
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
