Apple Unveils M5 iPad Pro with Faster AI, Wi-Fi 7, and Thinner Design

Apple has a new iPad Pro with the M5 chip, just like the 14-inch MacBook Pro announced today. It looks like the last model, but under the hood it’s a big spec bump: faster AI performance, quicker storage, better wireless, and a thinner body. Pre-orders start today; it hits stores Wednesday, October 22.

Apple’s hardware chief John Ternus summed it up: “Powered by the next generation of Apple silicon, the new iPad Pro delivers our most advanced and versatile iPad experience yet.”

The M5 brings a new 10-core GPU (with a Neural Accelerator in every core), a faster CPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple says AI tasks run up to 3.5× faster than the M4 model and up to 5.6× faster than M1. Graphics get a lift too with third-gen ray tracing; Apple quotes up to 1.5× faster 3D rendering vs. M4 (and 6.7× vs. M1). Video transcodes in Final Cut Pro for iPad can be up to 6× faster than M1 (and 1.2× vs. M4). For AI image/video workflows (Draw Things, DaVinci Resolve), Apple cites up to 4× and 3.7× gains over M1, respectively.

Memory and storage are faster. Unified memory bandwidth climbs to 150+ GB/s (about 30% up on last gen). Storage read/write speeds are up to 2× faster. The 256GB and 512GB configs now start with 12GB RAM (50% more than before). Fast charge is supported: roughly 50% in ~30 minutes with a high-watt USB-C adapter (Apple’s new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter is an option).

Wireless gets a refresh. Cellular models switch to Apple’s C1X modem (claiming up to 50% faster cellular data and up to 30% less power than M4 models), with 5G, GPS, and eSIM. All models include the new N1 wireless chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread; Apple says 5GHz Wi-Fi performance is improved, as are Personal Hotspot and AirDrop reliability.

The display and build: still Ultra Retina XDR using tandem OLED, rated 1000 nits full-screen (SDR/HDR) and 1600 nits peak (HDR). There’s an optional nano-texture glass to cut glare. It can now drive external displays up to 120Hz and supports Adaptive Sync on 120Hz monitors for lower latency. It’s also thinner: 11-inch is 5.3 mm, 13-inch is 5.1 mm. Colours: space black and silver.

Here’s M5 iPad Pro entry pricing in Canada for 256GB:

• 11-inch: $1,399 (Wi-Fi), $1,679 (Wi-Fi + Cellular); education starts at $1,249
• 13-inch: $1,799 (Wi-Fi), $2,079 (Wi-Fi + Cellular); education starts at $1,649

Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB.

iPad Pro pricing is still expensive for what it is, I’d rather get an M4 MacBook Air that starts at $1,399.

Accessories: Apple Pencil Pro ($169), Apple Pencil (USB-C) ($109), and the Magic Keyboard ($399 for 11-inch, $449 for 13-inch). Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter is $55.

Also, the Magic Keyboard for M3 iPad Air is now available in black and costs $399 (13”) and $349 (11”).

This March, the iPad Air received an update to an M3 chip. Last May, Apple updated the iPad Pro to M4. So this M5 upgrade comes about 1.5 years later for the iPad Pro. Still, Apple has way too many iPad options right now and it’s just confusing for consumers.

You can pre-order your M5 iPad Pro today from Apple.ca and it launches on October 22. Who’s buying one?