M5 iPad Pro First Impressions

[MacRumors]

Apple's updated M5 iPad Pro is set to launch tomorrow, and we were able to test out the new tablet ahead of its launch to provide some early first impressions for those thinking about upgrading.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

The 2025 iPad Pro comes in 11-inch and 13-inch size options, with no changes to the design. Updates are purely internal, with Apple adding an M5 chip and faster SSDs. Base model iPad Pro options with 256GB or 512GB storage have an M5 chip with a 9-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 12GB RAM, while the higher-end 1TB and 2TB models feature a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16GB RAM.

We tested the 13-inch model with a 512GB SSD, so it has a 9-core CPU and 12GB RAM. Multithreaded CPU performance is up about 15 percent compared to the M4 model, and GPU performance is up to 30 percent faster. SSD performance is up to 2x faster.

Other features include the N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and the C1X modem that offers 5G speeds 2x faster than Apple's C1 modem.

If you have an M4 iPad Pro, there's no reason to upgrade, because all you'll get is a modest performance boost. For those with an older iPad Pro or who are thinking about getting an iPad to replace a Mac, the M5 iPad Pro is going to be able to do almost anything.

Make sure to watch our video for full details.

Article Link: M5 iPad Pro First Impressions

 

[Apple-achian]

If you have an M4 iPad Pro, there's no reason to upgrade, because all you'll get is a modest performance boost.

Actively discouraging customers from upgrading is not really okay. Let the consumer decide.

 

[Innovati0n]

Actively discouraging customers from upgrading is not really okay. Let the consumer decide.

The consumer can still decide on their own. It is good advice and helpful.

 

[CheesePuff]

Where are you seeing that its lighter and thinner then last years M4 model? Looking at the Compare tool on Apple's website it shows they are identical

 

[Jacoblee23]

Apple's updated M5 iPad Pro is set to launch tomorrow, and we were able to test out the new tablet ahead of its launch to provide some early first impressions for those thinking about upgrading.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

The 2025 iPad Pro comes in 11-inch and 13-inch size options, with no changes to the design. Updates are purely internal, with Apple adding an M5 chip and faster SSDs. Base model iPad Pro options with 256GB or 512GB storage have an M5 chip with a 9-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 12GB RAM, while the higher-end 1TB and 2TB models feature a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16GB RAM.

We tested the 13-inch model with a 512GB SSD, so it has a 9-core CPU and 12GB RAM. Multithreaded CPU performance is up about 15 percent compared to the M4 model, and GPU performance is up to 30 percent faster. SSD performance is up to 2x faster.

Other features include the N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and the C1X modem that offers 5G speeds 2x faster than Apple's C1 modem.

If you have an M4 iPad Pro, there's no reason to upgrade, because all you'll get is a modest performance boost. For those with an older iPad Pro or who are thinking about getting an iPad to replace a Mac, the M5 iPad Pro is going to be able to do almost anything.

Make sure to watch our video for full details.

Article Link: M5 iPad Pro First Impressions

What about if your m4 is 8gb and you’re not a heavy user? Is 8gb of ram still fine?

 

[BelgianChoklit]

it's the same iPad... I don't mean to knock it down as a bad product, they're amazing, but it's the same with a new chip in it, nothing to see here

 

[Innovati0n]

What about if your m4 is 8gb and you’re not a heavy user? Is 8gb of ram still fine?

Yes

 

[Squuiid]

Actively discouraging customers from upgrading is not really okay. Let the consumer decide.

Also, if you have an M3 ‌iPad Pro‌, there's no reason to upgrade.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Actively discouraging customers from upgrading is not really okay. Let the consumer decide.

it's just good advice. Making it clear to clueless people they don't need to upgrade for no reason

 

[Astuces iOS]

same same, but different, but still same

 

[aeralto]

Does this mean I can get a 13” M4 iPad Pro for under $1000 now?

Let me hope!

 

[gleepskip]

Actively discouraging customers from upgrading is not really okay. Let the consumer decide.

Actively disagreeing with a MR post is not really okay. Let the reader decide.

 

[Innovati0n]

Does this mean I can get a 13” M4 iPad Pro for under $1000 now?

Open Box Excellent at Best Buy currently is under $1000

You may find that new for Black Friday

 

[gigatoaster]

A bit disappointed by this video, the good looking dude is like reading the press release or something. I will wait for the full review as I’m considering replacing my iPad Pro M2 with the new M5.

 

[OSXphoto]

Display Pulse Smoothing. Is it available yet on this new model using iPadOS 26?

To clarify: I had to return a new iPP M4 because of PWM. I settled for a new iPP M2 13” with miniLED display, which serves me 100% fine ATM

 

[Digitalguy]

Why does nobody test the SSD speed???? You even mention that nobody did on the post about iPad pro M5 reviews but you don't do it yourself. Based on the video, you clearly didn't do it and just based the 2x on what Apple said. Do people think SSD benchmarks do not exist on iPad?

 

[DrRadon]

I do nothing with my M1 iPad Pro that requires a new chip. Probably I should get the battery replaced before apple considers the device obsolete but I assume that still will be a couple of years down the road. Everything else is just them introducing stuff like Liquid Glass that artificially lowers the performance.

 

[DrRadon]

A bit disappointed by this video, the good looking dude is like reading the press release or something. I will wait for the full review as I’m considering replacing my iPad Pro M2 with the new M5.

Well it's a unboxing and the contend creator must fill some time to make it worth while for the YouTube gods and fill some time. Its fine. As long as you dont watch 15 of these videos in a row there is no issue with the information. Unfortunately you won't get the "6 month with - is it worth it?" until six months from now. And then the tech reviewers probably are the people that have the least experience living on the device since they are all over the releases that need to get checked out.

 

[Hajj.david]

Does this mean I can get a 13” M4 iPad Pro for under $1000 now?

Let me hope!

View attachment 2571048

Ill sell you mine. I have the apple keyboard case, regular apple case, and the magic pencil. I am completely serious if you are lol

 

[dcingie]

Actively discouraging customers from upgrading is not really okay. Let the consumer decide.

I’ve never seen such a unanimously downvoted comment in all of my years on MR. Congratulations to you, sir or ma’am 🤣

 

[metalsiren]

I have a m4 and I am upgrading for the N1 (I do wireless for a living so I need the wifi chip for testing etc) so it has value for me. otherwise I would have skipped it as well honstly.

 

[hieranonymous]

The GPU gains are impressive. It’s one area where Apple Silicon has some catching up to do, since Apple no longer allows discrete GPUs.

 

[tucupeis]

The GPU gains are impressive. It’s one area where Apple Silicon has some catching up to do, since Apple no longer allows discrete GPUs.

yup you can play the sims lot faster now

 

[Innovati0n]

Where are you seeing that its lighter and thinner then last years M4 model? Looking at the Compare tool on Apple's website it shows they are identical

Is this in the video? Or was the story edited? You're right, the dimensions and weight didn't change, but I don't see it mentioned above.

 

[Johnny907]

Also, if you have an M3 ‌iPad Pro‌, there's no reason to upgrade.

This was a gag, right? Apple never released an M3 Pro. It went from the M2 to the M4.