M5 iPad Pro: In summary
- The new iPad Pro is powered by Apple’s latest M5 chip
- M5 has a next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core and up to 3.5x the AI performance vs iPad Pro with M4
- Up to 2x faster storage read and write speeds
- 50 percent more memory
- Same design and display
Apple unveiled the M5 iPad Pro in October 2025, roughly a year and a half after the M4’s debut. The main upgrade is the M5 processor, which delivers better AI performance and graphics, as well as other improvements. The new iPad Pro will go on sale on October 22. Here’s everything you need to know about the new iPad Pro.
M5 iPad Pro: At a glance
- Identical design to the M4 iPad Pro
- Upgraded M5 processor with 9- or 10-core CPU with 3 or 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
- 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core
- Landscape 12MP Center Stage front camera
- 12MP Wide rear camera
- Wi-Fi 7 with N1 wireless networking chip
- C1X 5G cellular modem
- Same pricing and color options
M5 iPad Pro: Performance and specs
- M5 chip with 9-core CPU (256GB/512GB) or 10-core CPU (1TB/2TB)
- 10-core GPU
- 12GB RAM (256GB/512GB) or 16GB RAM (1TB/2TB)
- N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
- C1X cellular modem in cellular models
- Faster storage read and write speeds
The M5 iPad Pro is largely a spec bump, with the main upgrades revolving around the M5 chip. The biggest advancements pertain to AI, with the new chip delivering AI performance that’s up to 3.5x faster compared to the M4 and up to 5.6x faster than iPad Pro with M1, according to Apple. Additionally, the 10-core GPU has a new architecture that includes a Neural Accelerator in each core for faster AI performance.
The chip contains a third-generation ray-tracing engine enabling more realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows, and delivers up to 6.7x faster 3D rendering with ray tracing in Octane X when compared to the M1 iPad Pro, and up to 1.5x faster than iPad Pro with M4, Apple claims. The iPad Pro also has over 150GB/s of unified memory bandwidth, nearly 30 percent better than the previous generation, and up to 2x faster storage read and write speeds. It also starts at 12GB of RAM, a 50 percent boost over the 8GB in the M4 model.
After debuting in the iPhone 17 models, Apple is also bringing its N1 Wi-Fi 7/Bluetooth 6/Thread chip and C1X 5G modem to the iPad. Apple says its modem provides up to 50 percent faster cellular data performance and up to 30 percent less power usage for “active” users than the M4 iPad Pro.
M5 iPad Pro: Design and display
- Same tandem OLED as M4 model
- Brightness, resolution are identical
- Incredible thin design
Apple upgraded the display in the M4 iPad Pro from mini LED to OLED and is using the same panel for the M5 model. The specs are identical, including 1600 nits peak HDR brightness and a nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models for an extra $100. As such, the design is the same as the M4 model, with a super-thin 5.3mm (11-inch) or 5.1mm (13-inch) frame.
M5 iPad Pro: Camera
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Rear 12MP Wide camera
While the iPhone 17 lineup received a new, higher-resolution 18MP selfie camera that lets users take widescreen selfies without rotating their phone, Apple opted to keep the same 12MP front camera as before. Additionally, the rear camera is the same 12MP sensor as the M4 model, despite the iPhones all having 48MP rear wide cameras.
The M5 iPad Pro has the same 12MP wide camera as the M4 model.
Brady Snyder / Foundry
M5 iPad Pro: Release date
Apple launched the M5 iPad Pro on Wednesday, October 15. Preorders began on the same day, with release slated for October 22.
M5 iPad Pro: Price
With the M4 iPad Pro, Apple increased the price by $100/£100 across all configurations due to the new tandem OLED display. The pricing for the new M5 model is consistent, starting at $999/£999 with an extra $200 for cellular models.
U.K. prices remain the same, but U.K. and European buyers will have to purchase a Power Adapter separately as Apple is no longer including this in the box.
Prices will start to drop once other retailers get their hands on stock. Check out our best iPad Pro deals to see if you can bag yourself a bargain.
iPad Pro 11-inch, M5
iPad Pro 13-inch, M5
Author: Michael Simon, Executive Editor, Macworld
Michael Simon has been covering Apple for more than 20 years. He started covering rumors with Spymac when the iPod was the iWalk, and has owned nearly every iPhone Apple has ever made. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, son, and far too many gadgets.