Yeah. That’s not a typo. A cracked iPad Pro M4 costs about as much as a brand new iPad Air. Here’s why, and what you can do about it.
What Apple charges
| Model | Cracked screen or other damage | With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), Wi-Fi | $949 | $29 screen · $99 other |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), Cellular | $999 | $29 screen · $99 other |
| iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), Wi-Fi | $1,099 | $29 screen · $99 other |
| Battery (11-inch) | $179 | Free under 80% |
Why it’s so expensive
The iPad Pro M4 has a fancy OLED screen made of two stacked OLED layers, which is what makes it so bright. That screen is also laminated: the glass, the touch layer and the display are bonded into one thin piece. Crack the glass and the whole panel goes.
On top of that, Apple doesn’t do screen-only repairs on iPads. A cracked screen counts as “other damage,” and Apple usually hands you a replacement iPad. So you’re paying for a big chunk of a new iPad Pro.
Can a local shop do it cheaper?
Sometimes, but it’s tough on this model. The OLED panel is expensive and getting a genuine one is hard, and the iPad is very thin and easy to bend while opening it. If a shop quotes you, ask whether it’s a genuine panel, how long the warranty is, and whether they’ve done this exact model before. Plenty of good shops will honestly tell you it’s not worth it.
The real answer: protect it
If you own an iPad Pro M4, the smartest money move is to never pay that $949.
- AppleCare+: a cracked screen drops to $29, other damage to $99, and the battery is free once it’s worn. On an iPad this expensive, it pays for itself the first time you drop it.
- Can you still add it? You can add AppleCare+ within 60 days of buying a new iPad. After that, Apple’s AppleCare One plan can cover devices you already own if they’re under four years old and in good shape.
- A real case: many people keep their iPad Pro in a thin keyboard folio. That protects the screen when it’s closed, but not the corners. A case with raised edges saves you from the classic corner drop.
Fix it or replace it?
Without coverage, $949 for a repair versus the price of a new iPad Pro is close. If you mostly use it for notes, browsing and video, a new iPad Air may do everything you need for less than the repair. If you depend on the Pro features, fixing it through Apple gets you back exactly what you had.
All prices for this model are on the iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) page. Apple prices checked October 14, 2026.
