Apple’s latest refresh of the iPad Pro arrives nearly 18 months after the M4 model, but this time the update is far more incremental than revolutionary. Unlike last year’s major redesign—which introduced OLED displays, a thinner chassis, a landscape front camera, and the M4 chip—the new M5 version focuses primarily on internal performance, connectivity, and long-term efficiency.
As a result, the two generations feel extremely similar in everyday use, with most improvements targeting professional edge cases rather than mainstream workflows.
Overview: A Refinement, Not a Redesign
The M4 generation of the iPad Pro was already a major leap forward, establishing:
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Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display
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Ultra-thin design
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Landscape front camera
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New Magic Keyboard redesign
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M4 chip performance jump
Because of that major overhaul, the M5 version is intentionally restrained. Apple has largely kept the same physical design and display system, instead upgrading silicon, memory, and connectivity.
Key Differences: M4 vs M5 iPad Pro
| Feature | iPad Pro (M4, 2024) | iPad Pro (M5, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4 | M5 |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth chip | Broadcom | Apple N1 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Cellular modem | Snapdragon 5G | Apple C1X |
| Memory (base models) | 8GB | 12GB |
| Memory (high-end) | 16GB | 16GB |
| SSD performance | Up to 2× faster than previous gen | Further optimized throughput |
| External display support | 60Hz | Up to 120Hz + Adaptive Sync |
| Minimum brightness | ~2–4 nits | 1 nit |
| Chip process | TSMC N3E | TSMC N3P |
| GPU architecture | No neural accelerators | Neural Accelerators per GPU core |
| API support | Metal 3 | Metal 4 + Tensor APIs |
| Memory bandwidth | 120 GB/s | 153 GB/s |
Performance Improvements: What the M5 Actually Delivers
Apple positions the M5 chip as a meaningful upgrade in raw compute and AI acceleration, even though everyday performance gains are more subtle.
Claimed performance improvements over M4:
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Up to 15% faster CPU multithreaded performance
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Up to 30% faster GPU performance
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Up to 45% faster ray tracing
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27.5% higher memory bandwidth
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Up to 4× AI GPU compute performance
Real-world AI workload improvements:
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3.6× faster LLM “time to first token”
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1.8× faster video enhancement (Topaz AI)
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1.7× faster Blender ray-traced rendering
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2.9× faster AI speech enhancement in Premiere Pro
These gains are impressive on paper, but they mainly matter in specialized workflows rather than general tablet usage.
What Actually Feels Different?
In daily use, the two generations of the iPad Pro feel almost identical. Apps open instantly, multitasking is smooth, and the OLED display experience remains unchanged between models.
Where the M5 stands out is in:
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Large AI model processing
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Heavy GPU rendering tasks
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External display workflows at high refresh rates
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Long, sustained exports to fast external storage
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Memory-heavy professional applications
For most users, these scenarios are rare.
Connectivity and Future-Proofing Upgrades
The M5 model introduces more modern connectivity standards:
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Wi-Fi 7 instead of Wi-Fi 6E
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Bluetooth 6 instead of Bluetooth 5.3
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Apple N1 wireless chip replacing Broadcom
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Apple C1X modem for improved cellular efficiency
These changes improve speed, stability, and long-term compatibility, but are not immediately transformative unless paired with next-generation network infrastructure.
Display and External Monitor Improvements
While the OLED panel itself remains unchanged, the M5 model enhances external display support:
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Up to 120Hz external display output
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Adaptive Sync support for smoother motion
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Better sustained performance for high-refresh workflows
This is one of the few areas where professionals may notice a meaningful difference, especially when using the iPad as a workstation replacement.
Memory and Storage Improvements
One of the more practical upgrades is increased baseline memory:
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M4: 8GB (256GB/512GB models), 16GB (1TB/2TB models)
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M5: 12GB baseline, 16GB top tier
This helps improve:
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Multitasking headroom
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AI workload performance
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Longevity for future iPadOS versions
What Has NOT Changed
Despite internal upgrades, the core experience remains identical:
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Same OLED Ultra Retina XDR display
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Same thin design
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Same Magic Keyboard compatibility
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Same Apple Pencil support
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Same camera and sensor layout
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Same overall software experience
This reinforces that the M5 update is evolutionary rather than transformational.
Who Should Upgrade to M5 iPad Pro?
The iPad Pro (M5) is best for:
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Users upgrading from M1/M2 or older iPads
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Professionals using AI-heavy workflows
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Video editors working with large exports
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Users needing faster external display performance
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Long-term buyers wanting maximum future-proofing
Who Should Stick with M4 iPad Pro?
The M4 model remains extremely capable for:
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General productivity
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Media consumption
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Creative work (photo, light video editing)
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Students and professionals not using AI-heavy tools
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Anyone already owning the M4 model
Final Verdict
The latest iPad Pro with the M5 chip is a classic example of an internal performance refresh rather than a generational leap.
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M4 iPad Pro = already a major redesign with OLED and new hardware foundation
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M5 iPad Pro = faster chip, better connectivity, more AI and future headroom
For most users—even power users—the differences will feel subtle. But for professionals working at the edge of performance, or buyers planning to keep their device for many years, the M5 version offers more long-term flexibility.
In short:
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M4 iPad Pro = already “pro enough” for almost everyone
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M5 iPad Pro = future-focused upgrade for demanding workflows only