After a revised iPad Pro M4 in substance and form, Apple launches this Wednesday, October 22, the iPad Pro M5, which it promises is prepared for the future, that is, artificial intelligence. Available in two sizes (11 and 13 inches), is it still a reference for professionals or a flagship product for ambitious users?
A slim design that makes a difference
You don’t change a design that works. The iPad Pro underwent a slimming treatment last year and is maintaining it. On the 11-inch iPad Pro, we refine this to 0.53 cm. In the 13-inch model we are testing we go down to 0.51 cm thick. It is clearly impressive to hold such a large device in your hand, thinner than a smartphone, but still very solid. The weight is well distributed and makes everything feel comfortable in the hand, without being too heavy. Beyond the already quite conventional design of an iPad, freed from its wide edges (although it always seems that there is room to do better…), it is above all the screen that continues to attract attention and that gives it a good appearance.
Apple has maintained its tandem Oled technology of two stacked panels and the Promotion panel (120 Hz) remains just as pleasant, well calibrated, contrasted and bright, without reflecting the sun too much. For those who want to get rid of any pondering thoughts, a nano-textured coating is offered as an option for models with 1 or 2 TB of storage. A comfortable reinforcement, but one that increases the bill… About 130 euros for this option.
On the back we still find a photographic module with a single sensor (x5 digital zoom) and LiDAR, accompanied by the adaptive TrueTone flash. Apple has definitively abandoned the second ultra-wide-angle sensor and, in a 13-inch model, we cannot blame it given the lack of practicality and, let’s be honest, of interest that the rear camera provides if it is not for professional use, unless you regret augmented reality… The iPad Pro can film in 4K/60 fps and in ProRes 4K/30 fps for the most creative. On the other hand, on the front, the 12 Mpx centered frame camera (in landscape mode), which follows you and expands the frame, continues to do a remarkable job in video calls. Identical photo modules, but aided by the AI processing of the M5 chip.
If you opt for the Apple Pencil stylus (from 89 euros), responsiveness remains essential. Fans of drawing or writing have an ally of choice, responsive and latency-free, which makes writing natural.
The M5 chip, power for the future
Engraved in 3 nm, the M5 chip is the big novelty of this 2025 model. The platform integrates neural accelerators in the GPU, in addition to the 16 cores of the Neural Engine. It incorporates more CPU cores (from 9 to 10 depending on storage configurations) for greater execution speed, and a GPU part, which therefore incorporates a neural accelerator in each of its 10 cores. This will facilitate very specific AI calculations and allow them to be processed even more quickly locally on the machine (image generation, live translation, classification of information or photographs, etc.), with lower energy consumption. Added to this is greater RAM (from 12 to 16 GB depending on the model), 30% more bandwidth (150 GB/s) and internal storage that is twice as fast in reading and writing speed.
In use, the iPad Pro M5 is faster to process certain photo edits thanks to AI in particular, or to handle video editing with multiple 4K streams. It also enables live translation from your correspondent (written or oral) via Messages or FaceTime, and a call to Apple Intelligence to help you correct, summarize, or rephrase text in Notes or any other compatible app. The big news is that everything is processed on the iPad locally, online or offline.
Everything is faster, from multitasking, more fluid thanks also to iPadOS 26, which allows you to open several windows simultaneously, to managing video editing with several 4K streams, including numerous improvements, especially in video games. Be it lighting effects, better managed shaders or simply multiple loads. We compare our test iPad Pro Assassin’s Creed Mirage AND Resident of the bad townand everything gives a general feeling of increased graphic quality, reinforces the immersion and the responsiveness of the controller in hand.
Also note that iPad Pro can now drive 4K/120Hz external displays with low latency thanks to Adaptive Sync support via the faster Thunderbolt/USB 4 port.
In terms of connectivity, the iPad Pro is completed with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and even Thread connection, thanks to the arrival of the N1 wireless network chip, designed by Apple. The latter did not fail to also integrate its C1X modem for a faster and less consuming 5G connection.
Long-lasting autonomy
The autonomy of the iPad Pro continues to be very noticeable with more than a day of very intensive use for this test (video streaming, video editing, navigation, writing, games, etc.). The iPad Pro M5 adopts fast charging this year. But it will be with a USB-C power adapter (not included) of more than 60 W. Suffice it to say that 50% in 30 minutes is not within everyone’s reach and with the more classic 30 or 45W models, you will have to count on 1 hour to reach 50% and more than 2 hours for a full charge. But there is a silver lining: 1 hour of streaming while being productive in another window only causes you to lose 9% of your battery life.
The iPad Pro M5 doesn’t revolutionize Apple’s very high-end touchscreen tablet category. It greatly improves the existing one with its chip truly designed for the future of AI. It is there to offer adequate performance for an Apple Intelligence that has found its cruising speed. Many of its new functional features are tied to it and are yet to come. Of course, there is still nothing “flashy” to expect under the sun of AI made in Apple, but more than ever a functionality that must be discreet, but effective (and obviously secure, hence the importance of in-machine processing).
Taking into account the purchase price of the iPad Pro (starting at 1,119 euros in 256 GB for the 11-inch model, 1,469 euros for the 13-inch), we would be tempted to say that this is the least we can do. Once again, the iPad Pro ticks all the boxes for a high-performance device. With the important contributions of iPadOS 26 (multi-window, document preview, Mac-like gestures, execution speed, etc.), it once again becomes the productivity device that can scare home laptops, with the strength of in-hand flexibility as an added benefit with its slim design for a very large screen.
For the most creative, it is an undeniable advantage for productive applications and users with serious professional aspirations (video editing, photo editing, music creation, rapid application development, etc.). Nothing can resist him and for years the future seems to smile very quickly and at a local level. When playing, he also defends himself with joy.
If you come from an iPad Pro M1 or M2, the gap will be huge and you will be able to make the leap. But if its uses are not so advanced or demanding, with its M3 chip, the iPad Air – now available in 11 and 13 inches – has serious arguments to make, at almost half the initial price.
Source: BFM TV
