Here is a detailed comparison between the Apple iPad Pro (M4, 2024) and the iPad Pro (M5, 2025) — covering the major differences and what stays the same so you can evaluate whether an upgrade makes sense.
Here is a detailed comparison between the Apple iPad Pro (M4, 2024) and the iPad Pro (M5, 2025) — covering the major differences and what stays the same so you can evaluate whether an upgrade makes sense.
Overview
iPad Pro (M4, 2024)
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Released in May 2024. Uses the Apple M4 chip
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Sizes: 11‑inch and 13‑inch.
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Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED (first time on iPad Pro) and very thin chassis (5.3 mm for 11″; 5.1 mm for 13″)
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Released in May 2024. Uses the Apple M4 chip
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Sizes: 11‑inch and 13‑inch.
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Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED (first time on iPad Pro) and very thin chassis (5.3 mm for 11″; 5.1 mm for 13″)
iPad Pro (M5, 2025)
Announced October 15, 2025, available from October 22.
M5 chip.
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Same size options: 11‑inch and 13‑inch.
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Maintains the thin chassis and tandem OLED display, but adds various internal improvements (connectivity, performance, etc.).
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Same size options: 11‑inch and 13‑inch.
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Maintains the thin chassis and tandem OLED display, but adds various internal improvements (connectivity, performance, etc.).
M5 chip. |
Key Differences
Here are the areas where the M5 model offers meaningful upgrades over the M4 model:
Feature M4 (2024) M5 (2025) Notes Processor / Chip Apple M4: for 256/512 GB models → 9‑core CPU (3 perf + 6 eff), 10‑core GPU, 120 GB/s memory bandwidth. Apple M5: for 256/512 GB models → 9‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 153 GB/s memory bandwidth; for 1/2 TB models → 10‑core CPU (4 perf + 6 eff) etc. Big jump in memory bandwidth, architecture tweaks; helpful for heavy workloads (editing, AI tasks) RAM 8 GB on base 256/512 GB models (M4). 12 GB on base 256/512 GB models (M5). More RAM helps multitasking, professional apps Connectivity / Wireless + Networking Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 for M4. Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread support (for smart‑home), improved modem (C1X) for cellular on M5. If you use very fast WiFi, 5G hotspots, or smart‑home integration, the M5 gives future‑proofing Display / External Display Support Both have Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED: 10Hz‑120Hz refresh, up to 1,000 nits full‑screen, 1,600 nits peak for HDR. Same display panel numbers for built‑in (so visually almost identical) but M5 adds external display support up to 6K@60Hz or 4K@120Hz. If you plan to drive a high‑end external 4K/120Hz monitor, M5 has the advantage Fast Charging / Battery features Standard charging; battery size same (31.29Wh for 11″, 38.99Wh for 13″) in both generations. M5 supports faster charging: up to ~50% in ~30 minutes with 40W dynamic power adapter. Useful if you recharge often and need quicker turnaround AI / Media Engine / Ray Tracing M4 has hardware‑accelerated ray tracing etc. M5 claims major boost in AI performance (up to ~3.5× vs M4) and improved 3D rendering, ray tracing. If you use professional apps (video editing, 3D, AI features) the M5 offers meaningful uplift Design / Sizes / Build 11″ thickness 5.3 mm; 13″ thickness 5.1 mm. Same physical dimensions for M5. If you’re upgrading from M4 to M5, you won’t gain in physical feel or design — mostly internal improvements
Here are the areas where the M5 model offers meaningful upgrades over the M4 model:
| Feature | M4 (2024) | M5 (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor / Chip | Apple M4: for 256/512 GB models → 9‑core CPU (3 perf + 6 eff), 10‑core GPU, 120 GB/s memory bandwidth. | Apple M5: for 256/512 GB models → 9‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 153 GB/s memory bandwidth; for 1/2 TB models → 10‑core CPU (4 perf + 6 eff) etc. | Big jump in memory bandwidth, architecture tweaks; helpful for heavy workloads (editing, AI tasks) |
| RAM | 8 GB on base 256/512 GB models (M4). | 12 GB on base 256/512 GB models (M5). | More RAM helps multitasking, professional apps |
| Connectivity / Wireless + Networking | Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 for M4. | Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread support (for smart‑home), improved modem (C1X) for cellular on M5. | If you use very fast WiFi, 5G hotspots, or smart‑home integration, the M5 gives future‑proofing |
| Display / External Display Support | Both have Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED: 10Hz‑120Hz refresh, up to 1,000 nits full‑screen, 1,600 nits peak for HDR. | Same display panel numbers for built‑in (so visually almost identical) but M5 adds external display support up to 6K@60Hz or 4K@120Hz. | If you plan to drive a high‑end external 4K/120Hz monitor, M5 has the advantage |
| Fast Charging / Battery features | Standard charging; battery size same (31.29Wh for 11″, 38.99Wh for 13″) in both generations. | M5 supports faster charging: up to ~50% in ~30 minutes with 40W dynamic power adapter. | Useful if you recharge often and need quicker turnaround |
| AI / Media Engine / Ray Tracing | M4 has hardware‑accelerated ray tracing etc. | M5 claims major boost in AI performance (up to ~3.5× vs M4) and improved 3D rendering, ray tracing. | If you use professional apps (video editing, 3D, AI features) the M5 offers meaningful uplift |
| Design / Sizes / Build | 11″ thickness 5.3 mm; 13″ thickness 5.1 mm. | Same physical dimensions for M5. | If you’re upgrading from M4 to M5, you won’t gain in physical feel or design — mostly internal improvements |
What is the same / unchanged
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Both generations support the same Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED display with high brightness and contrast.
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Both offer the 11″ and 13″ size options with similar form factor and weights.
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Both support Apple Pencil (Pro) and Magic Keyboard and Thunderbolt/USB‑4 port.
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Both include the same battery size for each size (11″ / 13″) and similar claimed “up to 10 hours” usage on WiFi.
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Both generations support the same Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED display with high brightness and contrast.
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Both offer the 11″ and 13″ size options with similar form factor and weights.
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Both support Apple Pencil (Pro) and Magic Keyboard and Thunderbolt/USB‑4 port.
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Both include the same battery size for each size (11″ / 13″) and similar claimed “up to 10 hours” usage on WiFi.
Summary: Should You Upgrade (or Which to Buy?)
If you currently have the M4 (2024) version:
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If your usage is basic to moderate (web browsing, streaming, note taking, light photo editing), the M4 remains extremely capable — the display and build are top‑tier already.
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If you do heavy duty work (4K/8K video editing, 3D modelling/rendering, AI workflows, driving external 4K/120Hz monitors, very fast WiFi/5G tethering), then the M5’s extra horsepower, connectivity and media engine advantages could justify an upgrade.
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If your budget is constrained, you might wait until the M5 becomes more common (prices drop) or look for deals on the M4.
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If your usage is basic to moderate (web browsing, streaming, note taking, light photo editing), the M4 remains extremely capable — the display and build are top‑tier already.
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If you do heavy duty work (4K/8K video editing, 3D modelling/rendering, AI workflows, driving external 4K/120Hz monitors, very fast WiFi/5G tethering), then the M5’s extra horsepower, connectivity and media engine advantages could justify an upgrade.
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If your budget is constrained, you might wait until the M5 becomes more common (prices drop) or look for deals on the M4.
If you are choosing between M4 vs M5 right now:
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The M5 is the “next‑gen” choice with more headroom for upcoming workflows (AI, external displays, connectivity).
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The M4 offers most of the premium experience already (display, build quality) at possibly lower cost. If you don’t need the absolute top specs, it’s a strong choice.
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Consider future‑proofing: if you keep your device for say 5+ years, the M5 might give you more “runway”.
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Also factor accessories, ecosystem, and what you’ll actually use (e.g., for your interest in educational content creation and gaming: the M5’s GPU / AI / ray tracing lift may help if you want to push more advanced workflows).
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The M5 is the “next‑gen” choice with more headroom for upcoming workflows (AI, external displays, connectivity).
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The M4 offers most of the premium experience already (display, build quality) at possibly lower cost. If you don’t need the absolute top specs, it’s a strong choice.
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Consider future‑proofing: if you keep your device for say 5+ years, the M5 might give you more “runway”.
-
Also factor accessories, ecosystem, and what you’ll actually use (e.g., for your interest in educational content creation and gaming: the M5’s GPU / AI / ray tracing lift may help if you want to push more advanced workflows).