Apple released Final Cut Pro for iPad in 2023, alongside Logic Pro for iPad, in a concerted effort to bring its desktop ‘pro’ apps for video and music creation to the platform and bolster its claims that an iPad really can replace a Mac. The system requirements for Final Cut Pro 2.0 are higher thanks to its intensive graphics demands, so you’ll need an Apple silicon M-series iPad, though that includes the newer Air as well as the Pro models.

While there are not many changes compared to Version 1.0 of the software, the changes in this release are significant. Since you pay to use the app on a rolling basis either monthly or yearly, the question of upgrading is a no-brainer – you’ll get the new stuff as part of your subscription. The question is whether you take the plunge in the first place rather than opting for a competitor like LumaFusion.

The work that Apple did in reimagining Final Cut for the touch interface remains impressive. It’s well thought-out and intuitive, managing a wealth of editing tools and features using various gestures, press-andholds and drag-and-drop techniques, all of which feel natural. It’s also well suited to the Apple Pencil which can help you work faster and be more precise with your interactions.