Apple simply introduced its iPad Pro M5, which is able to possible redefine each the premium pill and the definition of overkill. In a press release revealed this morning, Apple highlighted the specifics of its new M5 chip that guarantees improved graphics efficiency, in addition to its upgraded wi-fi connection tech. All of that ought to make your work and play shine even stronger on its attractive OLED show, which we liked within the iPad Pro M4.
All that stated, the iPad Pro M5’s worth nonetheless begins on the similar whopping $999 as that mannequin we liked, so do you have to preorder right now forward of its Oct. 22 release date? Let’s dive just a little deeper to see who this pill is for, and to seek out out if it’s the best tablet for you.
Apple’s new iPad Pro options its new M5 chip that upgrades the velocity underneath the hood of its tandem OLED show so video enhancing and different energy person duties are even smoother.
Despite the truth that I’ve but to listen to a single particular person say the earlier iPad Pro wasn’t quick sufficient, Apple’s packing more efficiency into this yr’s iPad Pro M5, which it says consists of the world’s quickest CPU core. Since this pill is designed for energy customers, Apple’s famous these features in how the pill handles high-end functions, with claims of as much as 1.5x sooner 3D rendering than final yr’s iPad Pro M4 within the Octane X software. Those with the iPad Pro M1, naturally, ought to see a a lot greater distinction, as Apple’s claiming 6.7x sooner efficiency in that state of affairs.
Since that is 2025, I’m by no means shocked that Apple’s highlighted efficiency in AI-based functions, that are making features because of an improved 16-core Neural Engine, plus the truth that the 10-core GPU has been redesigned to incorporate Neural Accelerators in every of its cores. So, if AI issues to you, otherwise you suppose it might sometime, know that Apple’s press release charges the iPad Pro M5 for as much as 3.5x sooner AI efficiency than the iPad Pro M4. Apple famous that it’s seen as much as 5.6x sooner efficiency than the iPad Pro M1. If all these apps sound too highfalutin for you, try our iPad 11 and iPad Air M3 evaluations, as these tablets are more reasonably priced whereas nonetheless providing snappy efficiency. While iPadOS 26 is cool and affords wonderful productiveness, you gained’t want the M5 to make the most of that new working system.
All this ought to be achieved with respectable effectivity and battery life, although Apple is promoting the identical life as final yr’s mannequin, which hit slightly below seven and a half hours on our looping 4K video check. That stated, the one huge distinction this yr is that the iPad Pro is now fast-charge succesful, and Apple’s tech specs page notes the pill ought to achieve as much as 50% of battery life when charging with a 60W or larger energy adapter related to its USB-C port.
Additional future-proofing comes with Wi-Fi 7 help, which is able to let the brand new iPad Pro thrive on the best Wi-Fi routers, because of improved bandwidth; the iPad Pro M4 solely supported Wi-Fi 6E. Apple put this upgraded Wi-Fi help in its new N1 wi-fi networking chip, which additionally helps Bluetooth 6 and the Thread sensible dwelling tech.
Just like final yr, Apple is promoting the iPad Pro with completely different CPU and reminiscence relying on the inner storage capability you select. Those who get the entry-level 256GB or the step-up 512GB fashions will get a 9-core CPU with three efficiency cores and 12GB of RAM, whereas the 1TB and 2TB fashions add a further efficiency core and 4GB more reminiscence. These numbers are just like final yr’s specs, although the entry-level iPad Pro M4 solely had 8GB of RAM.
Everything is similar because the earlier mannequin with regards to dimensions and cameras, so I might assume it’s best to be capable to use the identical circumstances as earlier than. The quad-speaker array and Apple Pencil help are additionally the identical, so I count on nice issues from each in my formal assessment testing.
The finest new characteristic of the iPad Pro M5 is its tandem OLED show, which includes a pair of panels to attain wonderful brightness whereas nonetheless providing the distinction and colour that we count on from having seen OLED tech within the best TVs.
That means this Ultra Retina XDR panel continues to be rated for 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness and 1,600 nits of peak brightness, in smaller sections of the display, for HDR content material. Apple additionally nonetheless sells an non-compulsory nano-texture show glass to chop down on glare in difficult ambient lighting conditions.
The iPad Pro M5 seems prefer it ought to be the best iPad but, offered cash’s no situation for you. Designed for the ability customers and OLED lovers, that is the perfect pill that some huge cash should buy. That stated, anybody who purchased the iPad Pro M4 for its show and not its brawn shouldn’t be reaching for his or her bank card or ApplePay fairly but.
Those with older iPads that hit their limits on efficiency ought to positively test it out, particularly in the event you’re the form of one that stopped purchasing for the best laptops and converted to the pill world. The iPad Pro options among the finest moveable screens I’ve ever seen, and that’s more than sufficient motive for a lot of to improve. I can’t wait to get the iPad Pro M5 in my arms for our full and complete assessment, so keep tuned.
The iPad Pro M5 is available in 11-inch and 13-inch designs. The 11-inch mannequin measures 0.21 inches thick, and the 13-inch mannequin is a hair thinner at simply 0.2 inches.
No, the iPad Pro M5 runs iPadOS 26 identical to the opposite iPads; it’s simply quick sufficient to take advantage of demanding apps run a bit smoother.
The 11-inch iPad Pro M5 weighs 0.98 kilos, whereas the 13-inch iPad Pro M5 is 1.28 kilos.
NCS Underscored has a staff of expert writers and editors who’ve a few years of expertise testing, researching and recommending merchandise, and we guarantee every article is rigorously edited and merchandise are correctly vetted. Henry T. Casey has been testing the latest tech products and electronics for over a decade, and was actually impressed by Apple becoming such a fantastic show into such a skinny pill when he first noticed the iPad Pro M4.