M5 iPad Pro First Impressions - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

M5 iPad Pro First Impressions

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.


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.

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....

Top Rated Comments

Innovati0n Avatar
12 months ago

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.
Score: 49 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gleepskip Avatar
12 months ago

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.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Squuiid Avatar
12 months ago

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.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BelgianChoklit Avatar
12 months ago

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
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 months ago

Actively discouraging customers from upgrading is not really okay. Let the consumer decide.
Tim. Is that you?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BelgianChoklit Avatar
12 months ago
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
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)