The new iPad Pro M5 isn't just a tablet – it's a laptop in another form factor
Apple redefines iPad Pro with incredible power, speed, and capabilities that approach – and in some cases surpass – a laptop.
🔥 If you think tablets are just for Netflix and browsing... the iPad Pro M5 will prove you wrong. With the new M5 chip, the iPad Pro transforms into a device that can easily replace a laptop — and in many tasks, outperform it.
Can a tablet really replace a laptop? 🤔 With the new iPad Pro M5, Apple shows that the answer is closer to "yes" than ever — and this time with evidence to prove it.
At October 15 2025, Apple introduced the new generation iPad Pro with the powerful chip Apple M5 — the same processor found in the latest MacBook Pros. The result? The most powerful iPad ever, with pro-level performance for everything from 8K video editing to demanding graphic design and 3D modeling.
The new iPad Pro wasn't designed for browsing or streaming — it does those things brilliantly, but that's just the beginning. Its real purpose is content creators, students, professionals, photographers and architects — those who need a portable device that can withstand tough everyday use.
Video editing, drawing with Apple Pencil Pro, multitasking with Stage Manager, professional apps, gaming AAA titles — it all happens smoothly and quickly thanks to the M5. And all this on one device just 5.1mm thin, with autonomy that covers a whole day of intensive use.
📋 Article Contents
- 🚀 What is the M5 chip?
- 📱 Impressive design
- 🖥️ A screen that stands out
- ⚙️ Performance and Memory
- (I.e. Next-generation connectivity
- 📷 Cameras and Audio
- 🎮 iPadOS 26: The operating system
- (I.e. Battery and Charging
- 🇧🇷 Accessories that make a difference
- ???? Compatibility and Ecosystem
- ️ Advantages and disadvantages
- 🆚 Comparison with other models
- (I.e. Is it worth the upgrade?
- 👥 Who is it intended for?
- 💰 Prices and Availability
- ❓ FAQ
- 🎯 summarizing
🚀What is the M5 chip?
The heart of the device
The chip M5 It's the "brain" of the new iPad Pro and the main reason the device feels so fast and responsive. Think of it like the engine in a car: the more efficient it is, the smoother and more enjoyable the user experience.
Apple says the M5 offers significantly higher performance than the M4, especially in tasks like image editing, video, 3D modeling, and automated actions. This means the iPad Pro responds instantly, without lag, even when you're loading up multiple demanding apps at once.
The M5 also leverages smarter power management, delivering high power without sacrificing battery life — something that makes a big difference for those who work long hours away from the office.
What does this mean in practice?
In everyday life, M5 translates to:
• ⚡ faster app opening • 🎬 smooth 4K/8K video editing • 🎨 comfortable use of design and graphic design apps • 🕹️ better performance in demanding games • 🔄 lag-free multitasking
Whether you're editing photos in Lightroom, designing in Procreate, or running multiple apps for work, iPad Pro with M5 remains stable, fast, and reliable — like a small business PC.
📱Impressive design
Apple has kept the sleek, minimalist design that has been loved in previous years, but made it even thinner and lighter. The iPad Pro M5 is a device you can take with you everywhere — from the office to the coffee shop to the plane.
The 13-inch model is just 1/4 inch thick. 5,1 millimeters, while the 11-inch model reaches 5,3 millimetersDespite the extremely thin body, the device remains robust, with a premium feel and build quality that stands out.
🎨 Available Colors
Space Black and Silver. Two timeless options that suit both professional environments and everyday use.
📏 Two Sizes
• 11 inches – just 444 grams • 13 inches – 618 grams
Choose the size that best suits the way you work or travel.
🔒 Face ID
Unlock at a glance — fast, secure, and convenient. Ideal for those using iPad in the workplace or on the go.
🖥️A screen that stands out
Ultra Retina XDR Display
The iPad Pro M5's display is one of its most impressive features. Apple is now using technology Double-layer OLED, which offers even better image quality than the classic OLEDs we see in televisions and mobile phones.
In practice this means perfect black, extremely high contrast and colors that look vivid yet natural. Brightness reaches up to 1.000 nits in normal content and even higher in HDR, allowing comfortable use outdoors, even under bright sunlight.
For those who watch movies, edit photos, or work with detail, the Ultra Retina XDR display is truly impressive.
🔄 ProMotion
The display automatically adjusts its refresh rate from 10Hz to 120Hz. This provides smoother scrolling, better touch response, and saves battery when high speed is not needed.
🎬 Ideal for Creators
High color accuracy makes it ideal for photo editing, video, design, and professional content. What you see on the screen is as close to reality as possible.
🌞 Nano-texture option
The 1TB and 2TB models come with a special matte glass option that reduces reflections. Ideal for those working in bright offices or next to a window.
⚙️Performance and Memory
One of the biggest leaps in the new generation is RAM. All models now start at 12GB RAM, which makes a huge difference in everyday use.
This means you can have multiple apps open, large files, high-resolution videos, and demanding games — without lag. The 1TB and 2TB versions go up to 16GB RAM, ideal for professionals working with heavy projects.
| Capacity | RAM | Processor Cores |
|---|---|---|
| 256GB | 12GB | 9 cores (3 high-performance + 6 low-power) |
| 512GB | 12GB | 9 cores (3 high-performance + 6 low-power) |
| 1TB | 16GB | 10 cores (4 high-performance + 6 low-power) |
| 2TB | 16GB | 10 cores (4 high-performance + 6 low-power) |
(I.e.Next-generation connectivity
Wi-Fi 7 & Apple N1
The iPad Pro M5 supports Wi ‑ Fi 7, the new standard that offers much higher speeds, lower latency, and a more stable connection — ideal for 4K/8K streaming, cloud gaming, and online work.
The new chip Apple N1 further improves wireless performance, ensuring a more stable connection even in environments with multiple networks or devices.
For those who transfer large files, make video calls, or work from their iPad, the difference is truly noticeable.
📱 5G
Cellular models support 5G networks, giving you super-fast internet wherever you are. Ideal for those who travel frequently, make video calls on the go, or work outside the office.
🔌 Thunderbolt / USB 4
The Thunderbolt/USB 4 port allows connection to high-resolution external displays, fast SSDs, and professional accessories. Transfer speeds are extremely fast, which helps transfer large files such as 4K video or RAW photos.
🏠 Thread
Thread support for more stable operation of smart home devices. iPad can act as a hub for smart lights, sensors and other devices, making the smart home more reliable and fast.
📷Cameras and Audio
The iPad Pro M5 maintains the quality camera system of the previous generation, which comfortably covers everyday needs as well as more demanding tasks, such as content creation, video calls or document scanning.
📸 12MP Front Camera
The front-facing camera is now on the side, so video calls look more natural when using the Magic Keyboard. Center Stage mode keeps you centered in the picture, even when you’re moving.
📹 12MP Rear Camera
Ideal for scanning documents, using AR apps and shooting videos up to 4K/60fps. The quality is clear and bright, suitable for professional use and content creators.
🔊 Four Speakers
The four-speaker system adapts to the device's orientation, delivering rich, clear sound. Ideal for movies, music, gaming, and video calls.
🎮iPadOS 26: The operating system
Liquid Glass Design
iPadOS 26 brings a major design refresh, with a new Liquid Glass style. Windows and apps move more naturally, and multitasking becomes easier and closer to a PC experience.
You can open multiple apps, move them around freely, and work in full screen or split view with much greater comfort.
Apple Intelligence
Thanks to the M5 chip, iPad Pro takes advantage of advanced Apple Intelligence features. These include image creation, intelligent text suggestions, better voice recognition and smarter app management.
The important thing is that everything is done locally on the device, without sending data to the cloud, offering better speed and greater protection of personal information.
(I.e.Battery and Charging
Despite the increased power of the M5 chip and the high-brightness OLED display, the iPad Pro continues to offer very good battery life for everyday use. Apple has optimized both the hardware and iPadOS to make the device easily last a full day.
⚡ Battery Life
Until 10 hours of use with Wi-Fi for browsing, working, streaming and apps. In practice, most users can use it from morning to night without charging — even with multitasking or creative apps.
⚡ Fast Charging
Supports faster charging via USB-C. With a 30W charger or higher, iPad gets about 50% in ~30 minutes and fully charged in about 2 hours. Ideal for those who travel or work on the go.
🇧🇷Accessories that make a difference
✏️ Apple Pencil Pro
Apple Pencil Pro is perfect for drawing, note-taking, graphic design, and creative work. It attaches magnetically to iPad, charges wirelessly, and delivers incredible precision. With new pressure and rotation features, it makes drawing feel even more natural.
⌨️ Magic Keyboard
It turns your iPad Pro into a true laptop. It features a comfortable keyboard, backlit keys, and a precision trackpad. It's perfect for working, writing, emailing, browsing, and multitasking.
🔌 Smart Connector
The Smart Connector lets you connect accessories without cables or charging. iPad automatically recognizes the accessory and works right away — simple and reliable.
????Compatibility and Ecosystem
Seamless collaboration with other Apple devices
The iPad Pro M5 integrates seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, offering a unified and simple user experience.
• You can start a task on your iPad and continue it on your Mac (Handoff). • Copy text on your iPhone and paste it on your iPad (Universal Clipboard). • Use your iPad as a second display for your MacBook (Sidecar). • Transfer files instantly using AirDrop.
Everything works automatically, without any settings, making the iPad Pro one of the most versatile tools for those who already have Apple devices.
️Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
• Extremely high performance thanks to the M5 chip – ideal for professionals
• OLED display with perfect black, high brightness and vivid colors
• Very thin and lightweight design, easy to carry
• Good battery life for a full day of use
• Wi-Fi 7 and modern connectivity options
• 12GB RAM on all models – 16GB on larger capacities
• Apple Intelligence with functions running locally on the device
• Secure and instant unlocking with Face ID
• Excellent collaboration with the Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPhone, AirPods)
Disadvantages
• High price, especially if you add Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro
• iPadOS still limits some professional workflows
• No memory card slot
• Few physical ports – adapters required for professional use
• Essential accessories sold separately
• Doesn't support macOS apps, despite the power of the M5
🆚Comparison with other models
| Feature | iPad Pro M5 | iPad Air | iPad basic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🔹Chip | M5 | M2 | A14 Bionic |
| 🔹Screen | OLED up to 120Hz (Ultra Retina XDR) | LCD 60Hz | LCD 60Hz |
| 🔹RAM memory | 12GB – 16GB | 8GB | 4GB |
| 🔹Face ID | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 🔹Starting price | 999€ | 699€ | 449€ |
(I.e.Is it worth the upgrade?
From iPad Pro M4
If you already have an iPad Pro with an M4 chip, upgrading to the M5 isn't necessary for everyone. In everyday use (surfing, notes, office apps) the differences are small.
But if you're working with demanding applications — like 4K/8K video editing, 3D modeling, AI tools, or large projects — the M5 offers noticeably better performance, more RAM, and Wi-Fi 7 support. In these cases, the upgrade makes real sense.
From older models (M2, M1 or older)
If you're using an iPad Pro with an M2, M1, or older chip, the difference in the M5 is huge.
You will see immediate improvements in speed, OLED display, RAM, battery life, and the new features of iPadOS 26. For those who work professionally or want a device that will last for many years, the upgrade is absolutely worth it.
For new buyers
If you're buying your first iPad Pro, the M5-powered model is the most modern and future-proof option. It offers the best display, the highest performance, and the most features.
But if the budget is limited, the iPad Air with M2 remains an excellent choice for students, everyday use, and light work.
👥Who is it intended for?
🎨 Content Creators
Ideal for video, photography, drawing and graphic design. The OLED display and Apple Pencil Pro make creative work easier and more accurate.
💼 Professionals
For those who work on the go, give presentations, or need a portable device that can replace a laptop for many tasks.
👨💻 Developers
Ideal for application testing, debugging, technical tools and cloud environments. The increased RAM significantly helps with multitasking.
🎮 Gamers
The 120Hz display and M5 chip deliver smooth gaming and high performance, even on demanding Apple Arcade titles or cloud gaming.
🎓 Students
Notes, assignments, PDFs, presentations, and multimedia — it’s all done with ease. With Apple Pencil Pro, iPad Pro becomes the perfect tool for learning.
🚫 Not for everyone
If your usage is limited to browsing, YouTube, and social media, the basic iPad is a more economical and perfectly adequate option.
💰 Prices and Availability
The iPad Pro M5 comes in two sizes — 11-inch and 13-inch — with prices varying depending on capacity and whether you choose Wi-Fi or Cellular. This is a premium device, and that's reflected in the cost, especially in the 1TB and 2TB versions.
Available on the market from October 22, 2025.
❓FAQ
Can I use an old Apple Pencil?
No. The iPad Pro M5 only supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C). Older models are not compatible.
Does it support an external display?
Yes. Through Thunderbolt you can connect an external display up to 6K, ideal for professional photo and video editing.
How long does it take to fully charge?
Approximately 2 hours with a 30W charger or more. With a smaller charger, the time increases.
Can I upgrade my storage?
No. The capacity is fixed and does not change after purchase, so carefully choose the model that suits your needs.
Is it water resistant?
No. The iPad Pro M5 is not certified for water or dust resistance, so caution is required outdoors.
🎯summarizing
The iPad Pro M5 is the most powerful tablet Apple has ever introduced. It combines top-notch performance, a stunning OLED display, ample RAM, and advanced features that bring it closer than ever to a laptop.
Yes, its price is high and iPadOS still has some limitations, but for professionals, content creators, and demanding users, it's one of the best portable devices you can buy today.
If you want the most modern, fast, and future-proof iPad experience, the iPad Pro M5 is the top choice.