Apple iPad Pro (M5, 2025) ZDNET's key takeaways The M5 iPad Pro is now available for purchase, starting at $999 for the 11-inch and $1,199 for the 13-inch variant.
It features Apple's most powerful processor yet, promising faster speeds, improved AI workflows, and better efficiency.
It also runs on Apple's most updated connectivity chipsets. View now at Best Buy
2026 Apple iPad Pro (M5) Longest battery life Buy Now
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If you're eyeing a new iPad right now, the tip-top option is the Pro model with Apple's new M5 processor. It has the same chip that powers the latest MacBook Pro, promising big performance gains in an ultraportable form factor. But should you buy one when newer, likely more capable iPads are expected in 2026?
Also: 3 Apple devices you probably shouldn't buy this month (and 9 that are safe for now)
I've used all the latest iPads, from the iPad Mini to the iPad 11, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro. Based on months of testing, the iPad Pro with M5 is easily the best performer of all - but my buying advice is a little more complicated.
Visually, the iPad Pro is sleek and appealing. It features a thin, unassuming build that makes it almost unsettling when you consider how much power is packed into something so light -- especially when testing the 11-inch variant. Apple also offers the 12.9-inch iPad Pro if you need the extra screen real estate, but the 11-inch size is just right for everything I need on a tablet.
Also: The best iPad stylus of 2026: Our top picks for writing and drawing
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