Why are iPad Pro volume buttons backwards?

Dynamic volume controls were introduced with release of iPadOS 15.4 onwards. The “logic” behind dynamic volume controls is such that regardless of the screen orientation, the relative function remains constant - as follows:

• When the physical buttons are positioned on a vertical edge of the iPad, the uppermost button will always increase the volume. Conversely, lower button will decrease the volume.

• When the physical buttons are positioned on a horizontal edge of then iPad, the button on the right will increase the volume - while the button on the left will decrease the volume.

For reasons known only to Apple, the ability to disable this feature is not available for any new models of iPad and iPad Pro that have since been launched - these models being:

• iPad Air5
• iPad Air M2
• iPad mini6
• fourth generation iPad Pro 11”
• sixth generation iPad Pro 12.9”
• iPad Pro M4
• iPad10

This is documented within this recently updated Apple Support document:

Use the Home, side, and other buttons on your iPad - Apple Support

Apple invite submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback pages. If you have a newer model iPad and would like to see the ability to disable dynamic volume control functions for your iPad, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make your voice heard:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

This is a feature that can be turned off on some iPad models (but not all). Please see the section “Use the volume buttons“ in this document: Use the Home, side, and other buttons on your iPad - Apple Support.

Not to worry.

If you have an iPad Pro 11in 4th gen, 12.9 6th gen or later, iPad Air 5th gen or later, iPad Mini 6 or later, or an iPad 9 or later, the dynamic volume controls can’t be changed being in landscape orientation.

I bought an iPad Pro 11in 4th gen and eventually I’ve noticed that too.

It’s not any hardware issue, it’s apparently the expected behavior

Please check your iPad model