Apple’s “iPad with M5” is the iPad Pro with M5, announced October 15, 2025—not a separately announced base iPad. Its headline changes are the M5 chip, updated wireless hardware, support for faster external displays, and iPadOS 26. Apple’s performance figures are company claims, not independent test results.
What changed in the iPad Pro with M5?
Apple’s October 15, 2025 announcement focuses on internal upgrades rather than a verified redesign. It describes a faster CPU, a next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, new wireless chips, and external-display support up to 120 Hz. The tablet also arrives alongside iPadOS 26, whose features are not all exclusive to this model.
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M5 graphics and AI claims
Apple says the M5 iPad Pro renders 3D scenes with ray tracing up to 1.5× faster than the previous-generation iPad Pro and up to 6.7× faster than iPad Pro with M1. For AI performance, Apple claims up to 3.5× the performance of iPad Pro with M4 and up to 5.6× that of iPad Pro with M1. These are Apple-published comparisons; the announcement does not provide an independent benchmark or a shared third-party test methodology. The “up to” figures should not be read as guaranteed gains in every app or task.
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New wireless hardware
Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip enables Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, according to the company. Cellular configurations add Apple’s C1X modem; Wi‑Fi-only models do not have that cellular modem. Apple says C1X delivers up to 50% faster cellular data performance and uses up to 30% less energy for active cellular users than iPad Pro with M4. Those comparisons apply to cellular models, not every configuration.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
External displays
Apple says the M5 iPad Pro can drive an external display at up to 120 Hz and supports Adaptive Sync when paired with a 120 Hz external display. This is relevant for workflows where smooth motion on a connected screen matters; the announcement does not establish how much this changes performance in any particular app or setup.
What iPadOS 26 adds—and what it doesn’t
Apple presented iPadOS 26 with a Liquid Glass design and features intended for demanding creative and professional work. These software changes are part of the wider iPad experience, not proof that every iPadOS 26 feature is exclusive to the M5 iPad Pro. Feature availability can vary by iPad model, so check Apple’s compatibility details for the specific software feature you need before treating it as a reason to upgrade.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
How to judge whether the M5 iPad Pro matters for you
The announcement establishes a larger set of capabilities, but it does not establish independent real-world speed, battery life, price, or value differences. Compare the new model with your current iPad in the areas that affect your work:
- AI and graphics: Consider whether your apps use demanding AI features, ray tracing, or 3D rendering. Apple’s multipliers are best treated as directional claims until independent tests cover your actual apps.
- Connectivity: N1’s Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread may matter if you use compatible networking or smart-home hardware. C1X’s cellular claims matter only if you are considering a cellular model and use mobile data actively.
- External display: Check whether your monitor supports 120 Hz and whether your workflow benefits from Adaptive Sync; the feature alone does not guarantee a visible improvement in every setup.
- Memory and storage: Match the configuration to the size of your projects and the apps you use. Apple Support search material lists different CPU-core and unified-memory configurations for the 11-inch model by storage tier, but that listing is region-specific; check Apple’s current technical specifications for your market before relying on those details.
- Software support and local price: Confirm that the iPadOS 26 features you want work on the model you are considering, then compare the current local price with the cost of keeping or replacing your existing iPad. The announcement does not establish a price or value advantage.
For someone with a recent iPad Pro, the most relevant reasons to investigate an upgrade are a specific need for the M5’s announced graphics or AI capabilities, the new wireless features, or the external-display support. If those do not solve a real limitation in your current setup, the announcement alone is not evidence that an upgrade will be worthwhile.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 11-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 11-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 11-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
