TL;DR The new iPad Pro features the M5 chip, a more powerful processor that offers up to 15% faster CPU performance and 4 times the peak GPU compute performance.
The updated tablet also gets new wireless chips for Wi-Fi 7 and improved cellular connectivity.
The iPad Pro with M5 is now available for pre-order, starting at the same price as the previous model.
Apple launched the iPhone 17 series last month, and the company is back this month to launch a refresh of the iPad Pro, now with the newer and more powerful M5 processor, alongside Apple’s N1 and C1X chips. Thanks to these upgrades, Apple is doubling down on performance on the most powerful iPad. Android tablets could barely compete with the iPad Pro in terms of pure performance, and with this upgrade, it doesn’t look like any of them stand a chance of usurping the throne.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more.
to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
The big highlight of this year’s iPad Pro refresh is the new Apple M5 processor. This is a 3nm processor available with up to 10-core CPU configurations (four performance cores and six efficiency cores), as well as a 10-core GPU and a 16-core “Neural Engine” NPU.
When compared to the M4 processor, users can get up to 15% faster multi-threaded CPU performance, 4x the peak GPU compute performance, 30% more unified memory bandwidth of 153GB/s, and 3.5x the AI performance. All these numbers are great for power users who can push the iPad Pro to its limit — most average users should already be satisfied with the M4.
The iPad Pro with M5 also bumps up the 256GB and 512GB variants to 12GB of RAM from 8GB RAM on last gen, though the 1TB and 2TB models continue with 16GB RAM. The 256GB and 512GB variants also feature one less performance core, resulting in a nine-core CPU.
The next key upgrade for the iPad Pro with M5 is that it comes with Apple’s C1X cellular modem instead of the Qualcomm modem present in the M4 iPad Pro. The C1X made its debut with the iPhone Air. On the iPad Air, Apple claims users can achieve up to 50% faster cellular data performance and up to 30% lower power usage compared to the previous generation iPad. The C1X continues to support 5G and eSIMs.
Rounding out the upgrades on the iPad Pro is the Apple N1 wireless networking chip, which enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. N1 claims to deliver better performance when connected to 5GHz networks and is said to enhance the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
Thanks to the new M5 chip, the iPad Pro with M5 can now drive external displays at up to 120Hz with support for Adaptive Sync, enabling the lowest possible latency in external display performance. This results in smoother motion and fewer perceived glitches, making it particularly useful for low-latency use cases like gaming.
The iPad Pro can also take advantage of Apple’s new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max, promising 50% charge in around 30 minutes.
The rest of the iPad Pro package remains unchanged from the last generation. This means users can purchase it in 11-inch and 13-inch models with a tandem OLED display that supports full-screen brightness of 1,000 nits and peak brightness of 1,600 nits for HDR. There’s also a nano-texture display glass option for reduced glare on the 1TB and 2TB storage options.
Contrary to rumors, there’s no second front-facing camera on the portrait edge. The iPad Pro sticks with its 12MP camera on the landscape edge and its 12MP rear camera.
iPad Pro with M5: Pricing and availability
The new iPad Pro with M5 is available to pre-order starting today, and will be available in stores beginning Wednesday, October 22. You can buy it in silver and space black at the same prices as last year, meaning the base 11-inch iPad Pro with M5 (Wi-Fi) starts at $999 for 256GB, while the 13-inch model starts at $1,299, and you can add $200 for cellular connectivity.
Follow