Apple’s iPad Pro M5 Pushes Performance to New Heights with Up to 16GB of RAM

Apple’s latest iPad Pro has just been announced, and it’s a beast of a tablet that appears to be challenging you to push its limits. Powered by the new M5 chip, it takes the capabilities of its predecessors and pushes them to new heights of performance. This tablet is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, and it’s an appealing option if you’re a creator or a professional.

First and foremost, the M5 chip is the true star of this iPad Pro. Apple’s new silicon is a powerhouse, providing a big gain in performance compared to the M4 and a massive leap over the M1. The processor is based on a 10-core GPU, with each core having its own neural accelerator, making it a force to be reckoned with for activities such as picture generation and video editing. Consider Draw Things: on the M5, it can produce AI-generated images four times faster than on the M1, and twice as quickly as on the M4. Video transcoding in Final Cut Pro is six times faster on the M5 than it was on the M1, and 3D rendering in Octane X is nearly seven times faster. These are not just numbers; they correspond to real-world speed, allowing you to edit a 4K movie or generate a complicated 3D scene without breaking a sweat. Meanwhile, the CPU features up to 10 cores (4 speed cores and 6 efficiency cores), ensuring that everything runs smoothly whether you’re using Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp, or a dozen tabs open.

Storage options also contribute to determine the various performance tiers of the M5 processor. The 256GB and 512GB models come with 12GB of RAM and a 9-core CPU, while the 1TB and 2TB models include 16GB of RAM and a complete 10-core processor. This tiered approach means that if you perform a lot of hard work, such as a video editor or 3D artist, you’ll probably want to go with the higher-end models so that you have more cores and memory accessible. Storage speeds are also a substantial improvement over the previous generation, and with the unified memory bandwidth increased by nearly a third to over 150GB/s, multi-tasking feels silky smooth even if you are pushing the device to its limits.


Apple’s N1 chip brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread support, so AirDrop as well as Personal Hotspot are faster and more reliable, especially on 5GHz networks. For cellular models, the C1X modem delivers 50% faster data speeds and 30% better power efficiency than the M4, plus 5G and eSIM for easy plan switching. Whether you’re a business traveler uploading files from an airport or an architect sketching on-site with GPS precision, these upgrades keep you connected without draining the battery. Speaking of battery, Apple still claims 10 hours, but a new fast-charging feature lets you hit 50% in about 30 minutes with a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter.


Visually, the iPad Pro’s Ultra Retina XDR display, built on tandem OLED technology, has 1000 nits of full-screen brightness and peaks at 1600 nits for HDR content. Colors pop, contrasts are razor-sharp and ProMotion and True Tone make everything from Netflix binges to photo editing look effortless. If you work in bright environments, the nano-texture glass option (available on 1TB and 2TB models) reduces glare without sacrificing image quality. It’s as sleek as ever—5.3mm thick for the 11-inch and 5.1mm for the 13-inch, and weighs just under a pound and 1.29 pounds respectively. Available in space black and silver, while feeling as good in your hand as it looks on a desk.


Pricing starts at $999 for the 11-inch Wi-Fi (256GB) and $1,299 for the 13-inch, with cellular versions at $1,199 and $1,499 respectively. Higher storage tiers (1TB and 2TB) push the price up, and accessories like the $129 Apple Pencil Pro or $299-$349 Magic Keyboard, add to the cost. Education discounts bring the 11-inch down to $899 and the 13-inch to $1,199, so it’s a bit more affordable for students. Pre-orders are open now, available October 22.