The M5 iPad Pro is here, with the new models sporting the M5, Wi-Fi 7 courtesy of Apple's N1 chip, and the C1X modem in cellular models, all starting at $999 for the 11-inch model.
The launch of M5 hardware has arrived, and the iPad Pro is among the first Apple devices to get the new chip.
The 2025 refresh of the 11-inch iPad Pro and 13-inch iPad Pro is not quite the usual spec-bump update that many would expect. In many cases, it's the same design as usual, but there are some changes to the format.
One primary change is the use of the M5 chip, an update from the M4 in the previous generation. This includes a 10-core CPU with a 10-core GPU that is 3.5 times faster with Apple Intelligence tasks than before, complete with the neural accelerators borrowed from the A19.
These accelerators work to improve graphical features like ray tracing, as well as assisting the 16-core Neural Engine to make machine learning tasks perform at an even higher level.
The new iPad Pro with M5 delivers up to 3.5x faster AI performance than iPad Pro with M4 | Image credit: Apple
Apple has provided a few performance improvement examples.
- Up to 6.7x faster 3D rendering with ray tracing in Octane X when compared to iPad Pro with M1,2, and up to 1.5x faster than iPad Pro with M4.
- Up to 6x faster video transcode performance in Final Cut Pro for iPad when compared to iPad Pro with M1,2, and up to 1.2x faster than iPad Pro with M4.
- Up to 4x faster AI image generation performance in Draw Things for iPad when compared to iPad Pro with M1,2, and up to 2x faster than iPad Pro with M4.
- Up to 3.7x faster AI video upscaling performance in DaVinci Resolve for iPad when compared to iPad Pro with M1,2, and up to 2.3x faster than iPad Pro with M4.
Apple says the new iPad Pro offers up to double the storage read and write speeds as previous models. For the first time, the 256GB and 512GB models start with 12GB of unified memory.
The displays are still 11-inch and 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR displays with tandem OLED panels. The brightness for standard content is still 1,000 nits, while HDR content ups the brightness to 1,600 nits at peak.
It's still a fully-laminated display with a resolution of 2,240 by 1,668 for the 11-inch model, 2,752 by 2,064 for the 13-inch variant. ProMotion, Wide Color (P3) support, and Apple Pencil Hover are also present, as is the anti-reflective coating.
For people going for the 1TB and 2TB capacity versions, you can also pay for the Nano-texture glass option once again.
Cellular models of iPad Pro feature C1X, Apple's cellular modem/ The company says that it delivers up to 50 percent faster cellular data performance, and for active cellular users, up to 30 percent less power usage than iPad Pro with M4.
The new iPad Pro also features N1, which enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.
The all new M5 iPad Pro | Image credit: Apple
Around the back is a 12MP Wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 5x digital zoom. There are 4K 60fps video capabilities, which also work with external recording for ProRes video, and even 1080p 240fps slo-mo.
Many features from the previous generation make the transition to the 2025 editions, including four-speaker audio, a quartet of studio-quality microphones, a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port, and a rear Smart Connector.
Apple is opening preorders of the M5 iPad Pro generation on Wednesday, with availability starting on October 22.
The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $999 for the Wi-Fi model and $1,199 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,299 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $1,499 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. With education savings, the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $899, and the 13-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,199.
The Nano-texture glass upgrade is an extra $100 on applicable models.
