Apple iPad Pro M5 vs iPad Pro M4: Key differences in design, display, and performance
Apple recently upgraded the SoC inside its iPad Pro to the latest M5 chip, introducing the new processor alongside the tablet’s launch. At a glance, last year’s M4 iPad Pro and this year’s M5 iPad Pro might look identical, but there are quite a few changes under the hood beyond a simple chip upgrade. Here’s a detailed look at what’s new with the M5 iPad Pro — and what remains the same on Apple’s latest top-spec tablet.
Display and build
| Category | iPad Pro 11" (M5) | iPad Pro 11" (M4) |
| Dimensions & Weight | 249.7 × 177.5 × 5.3 mm, 444 g (Wi-Fi), 446 g (Cellular) | 249.7 × 177.5 × 5.3 mm, 444 g (Wi-Fi), 446 g (Cellular) |
| Display Type | 11.1-inch (28.22 cm) Ultra Retina XDR, Tandem OLED | 11.0-inch (27.96 cm) Ultra Retina XDR, Tandem OLED |
| Brightness & Resolution | 2420×1668 px, 264 ppi, 1,000 nits SDR, 1,600 nits HDR peak | 2420×1668 px, 264 ppi, 1,000 nits SDR, 1,600 nits HDR peak |
| Display Features | Fully laminated, anti-reflective, wide colour (P3), ProMotion, True Tone | Fully laminated, anti-reflective, wide colour (P3), ProMotion, True Tone |
| Apple Pencil Support | Supports Apple Pencil hover, nano-texture option on 1 TB & 2 TB models | Supports Apple Pencil hover, nano-texture option on 1 TB & 2 TB models |
| External Display Support | Supports external displays up to 120 Hz | Supports external displays up to 60 Hz |
The new M5 iPad Pro supports external displays at up to 120 Hz. In contrast, the M4 iPad Pro was limited to a maximum refresh rate of 60 Hz for external displays. The M5 model also features a slightly larger 11.1-inch (28.22 cm) Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED display compared to the 11.0-inch (27.96 cm) panel on the M4. However, the display on the 13-inch M4 and M5 iPad Pro models remains identical. Apart from this, the display and build specifications of the M4 and M5 iPad Pro remain identical.
Performance
| Category | iPad Pro 11" (M5) | iPad Pro 11" (M4) |
| Processor | Apple M5 chip — 9-core CPU (3 performance + 6 efficiency cores) on 256/512 GB models; 10-core CPU (4 performance + 6 efficiency cores) on 1 TB/2 TB models | Apple M4 chip — 9-core CPU (3 performance + 6 efficiency cores) on 256/512 GB models; 10-core CPU (4 performance + 6 efficiency cores) on 1 TB/2 TB models |
| GPU | Next-generation 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, offering major gains in AI and graphics workloads | 10-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, previous-gen architecture |
| Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine, up to 3.5× faster AI performance vs M4; 153 GB/s memory bandwidth | 16-core Neural Engine, standard AI acceleration; 120 GB/s memory bandwidth |
| RAM Configuration | 12 GB (256/512 GB) or 16 GB (1 TB/2 TB) | 8 GB (256/512 GB) or 16 GB (1 TB/2 TB) |
| Media Engine | Hardware-accelerated 8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes / ProRes RAW, AV1 decode, improved encode/decode efficiency | Hardware-accelerated 8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes / ProRes RAW, AV1 decode |
| Performance Gains over M4 | Up to 1.5× faster 3D rendering, 1.2× faster video transcoding, 2× faster AI image generation, 2.3× faster AI video upscaling, and 3.5× higher AI throughput | Baseline performance |
The M5 chip inside the new iPad Pro retains a similar CPU configuration to the M4, with a 9-core setup (three performance and six efficiency cores) on the 256 GB and 512 GB models, and a 10-core configuration (four performance and six efficiency cores) reserved for the 1 TB and 2 TB variants. The M5 also debuts a radically redesigned GPU with dedicated Neural Accelerators in each core, which Apple claims delivers dramatically improved AI and graphics performance.
Apple claims this new design enables up to 3.5 times higher AI performance than the M4, supported by a faster 16-core Neural Engine and increased memory bandwidth of 153 GB/s compared to 120 GB/s on the M4. The new M5 iPad Pro also features more memory in its base model, offering 12 GB of RAM on the 256 GB and 512 GB variants. Meanwhile, the 1 TB and 2 TB models continue to come with 16 GB of RAM. Both chips share the same advanced media engine, but the M5 adds improved encode and decode efficiency.
Camera and connectivity
| Category | iPad Pro 11" (M5) | iPad Pro 11" (M4) |
| Rear Camera | 12 MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture, digital zoom up to 5x, Adaptive True Tone flash, Smart HDR 4 | Identical — 12 MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture, digital zoom up to 5x, Adaptive True Tone flash, Smart HDR 4 |
| Video Recording | 4K at 24/25/30/60 fps, 1080p HD at 25/30/60 fps, extended dynamic range up to 30 fps, ProRes up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p for 256 GB), external 4K60 support, 1080p slow motion at 120/240 fps, time-lapse with stabilisation, stereo recording | Identical — 4K at 24/25/30/60 fps, 1080p HD at 25/30/60 fps, extended dynamic range up to 30 fps, ProRes up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p for 256 GB), external 4K60 support, 1080p slow motion at 120/240 fps, time-lapse with stabilisation, stereo recording |
| Front Camera | Landscape 12 MP Center Stage camera, ƒ/2.0 aperture, 2x zoom out, Smart HDR 4, Portrait mode with advanced bokeh & Depth Control, six Portrait Lighting effects, 1080p HD up to 60 fps, cinematic video stabilisation, Animoji & Memoji | Identical — Landscape 12 MP Center Stage camera, ƒ/2.0 aperture, 2x zoom out, Smart HDR 4, Portrait mode with advanced bokeh & Depth Control, six Portrait Lighting effects, 1080p HD up to 60 fps, cinematic video stabilisation, Animoji & Memoji |
| Connectivity | N1 wireless chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support for improved performance and reliability in AirDrop and Personal Hotspot; C1X Apple-designed modem for up to 50% faster cellular data and 30% lower power use; 5G (sub-6 GHz), Gigabit LTE (up to 31 bands), GPS/GNSS, eSIM, Wi-Fi calling | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G (sub-6 GHz), Gigabit LTE (up to 31 bands), GPS/GNSS, Wi-Fi calling, data-only eSIM models |
The iPad Pro M5 retains identical front and rear camera hardware to the M4, but introduces new upgrades in connectivity. The new N1 wireless chip enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, which Apple claims offer improved hotspot reliability and better overall wireless performance. Meanwhile, cellular models gain Apple’s new C1X modem, which claims to deliver up to 50% faster data speeds and 30% better power efficiency.
Battery and charging
| Category | iPad Pro 11" (M5) | iPad Pro 11" (M4) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours of web surfing or video playback on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours using cellular data | Up to 10 hours of web surfing or video playback on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours using cellular data |
| Charging & Power | Charges via USB-C; supports fast charging — up to 50% in 30 minutes with a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter (60W max) or higher | Charges via USB-C; no official fast-charging support |
| Adapter Compatibility | Works with Apple’s 40W Dynamic Power Adapter or any 60W+ USB-C power adapter (sold separately) | Works with standard USB-C power adapter (sold separately) |
The M5 iPad Pro offers identical battery endurance to its predecessor but introduces official fast-charging support, providing faster power top-ups when used with a compatible high-wattage adapter. Although both models continue to feature a USB-C connector with support for Thunderbolt / USB 4.
Audio and sensors
In terms of audio, both the M5 and M4 iPad Pro models feature the same four-speaker audio system along with four studio-quality microphones. The number and types of sensors also remain identical on both models.
Pricing and variants
Pricing for the M4 and M5 iPad Pro models remains identical. You can check out the detailed pricing for the M5 iPad Pro here. However, as mentioned earlier, the M4 iPad Pro line-up started with the model featuring 8 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage, whereas the M5 iPad Pro now begins with a 12 GB memory and 256 GB storage variant.
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