iPad Pro M5: Faster GPU/AI, new connectivity chips, and first fast charging
Apple’s latest iPad Pro refresh is a focused spec bump that swaps in the M5 chip and adds modern radios and faster charging. While the hardware design and stunning tandem OLED display carry over from last year’s M4 model, performance—especially for GPU and on‑device AI workloads—takes a notable step forward. Paired with the iPadOS 26 overhaul (true windowing multitasking, better Files, background tasks), the M5 iPad Pro feels more capable day to day, even if the price remains a sticking point.
What’s new at a glance
- M5 chip: 10‑core GPU now includes a neural accelerator per core for AI/GPU tasks; third‑gen ray tracing is faster.
- Connectivity chips: N1 handles Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread; C1X manages 5G. First appearance of these chips in an iPad.
- Fast charging: First iPad Pro to support rapid charging—about 50% in ~30 minutes with a 60W adapter (Apple’s new Dynamic Charger can step up to 60W).
- iPadOS 26: Resizable windows with Exposé‑style view, improved Files app and expanded background processing.
Performance highlights
Early testing points to modest CPU gains over the M4 (roughly 10–15% in common benchmarks), but GPU performance jumps by 30%+. In AI‑centric tests that use the GPU backend, single‑precision scores were about 22% higher than M4, while half‑precision and quantized runs improved ~85% and ~100%, respectively. Translation: if your workflow leans on GPU or mixed AI workloads, the M5 shows its advantage; for everyday CPU‑bound tasks, the uplift is smaller.
Connectivity and charging
- Networking: Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support via the N1 chip, plus Thread for smart‑home/low‑power accessories. 5G connectivity is handled by the new C1X chip.
- Fast charge: Apple quotes 50% in about 30 minutes with a 60W adapter. In mixed early trials, real‑world results come close, depending on starting battery level and background activity.
Display and hardware
Design and screens are unchanged from the M4 generation. The tandem OLED remains best‑in‑class on a tablet, offering deep blacks, high brightness (up to 1,600 nits HDR), 120Hz ProMotion, and an optional nano‑texture finish on higher‑capacity models. The chassis is extremely thin and light, aiding hand‑held use; durability appears solid based on long‑term M4 experience.
iPadOS 26: the bigger everyday upgrade
Software is doing more of the heavy lifting this cycle. Resizable, overlapping windows, improved app memory of size/position, better Files with new sorting and a separate Preview app for PDFs, plus expanded background tasks (e.g., Final Cut Pro can render while you multitask) all make the iPad Pro’s power easier to tap.
Who should upgrade?
- M4 owners: Likely safe to skip unless you specifically need the M5’s GPU/AI uplift or the new radios/fast charging.
- Older iPad Pro/Air owners: The combination of M5, OLED display and iPadOS 26 windowing is a substantial leap.
- Budget‑minded buyers: The iPad Air remains the better value if you won’t exploit the Pro’s screen, performance and accessories daily.
References and more info
Bottom line: Hardware changes are iterative, but for creators and power users, the M5’s GPU/AI gains and iPadOS 26’s real multitasking make this iPad Pro the most capable yet. For everyone else, the iPad Air still offers the better price‑to‑performance ratio.
Discussion: Are the M5’s GPU/AI gains and iPadOS 26’s windowing enough to justify upgrading from an M2/M4 iPad, or would you stick with an Air (or a laptop)?