iPad Pro (M5) Review — Performance, Display & Pro Features.

Insert iPad Pro (M5) image
The iPad Pro (M5) brings Apple’s next-generation M5 silicon to the iPad lineup, focusing on dramatic performance gains, on-device AI acceleration and pro-level workflows. This review covers display quality, CPU/GPU performance, battery life, camera utility, and who should buy the M5-equipped iPad Pro in 2025.
Key highlights	Apple M5 chip — significant CPU/GPU and Neural Engine uplift Liquid Retina / mini-LED panels with ProMotion-style high refresh Top-tier pro app ecosystem (native creative apps optimized) Advanced on-device AI features via iPadOS 26 / Apple Intelligence
Specs (summary) Chip Apple M5 (next-gen Apple silicon) Display 11" & 13" Liquid Retina / mini-LED (model dependent), high refresh RAM / Storage Configurable high-memory options; multiple storage tiers Battery All-day use optimized with M5 efficiency Cameras Front + rear cameras suitable for video, AR and pro workflows OS iPadOS 26 with Apple Intelligence Starting Price From around $999 (11-inch base, Wi-Fi)
Performance & real-world use The M5 delivers desktop-class CPU/GPU performance for creative apps — photo compositing, video editing, 3D workflows and on-device AI tasks run exceptionally well. Thermal and battery management are improved versus previous generations, so you get sustained performance in long creative sessions.
Display, battery & cameras Display: Excellent color accuracy, very high peak brightness on mini-LED models, and buttery motion with the high refresh rate. Battery: Real-world usage delivers all-day performance for creative and productivity tasks, with good efficiency thanks to M5. Cameras: Strong for video, AR and creative capture — not primarily a phone-grade camera, but excellent for tablet use-cases.
Pros & Cons Pros Cons Class-leading performance for pro apps High entry price Outstanding display quality iPadOS multitasking differs from desktop Strong app ecosystem for creatives Fewer ports / less modularity than some Android alternatives
Verdict If you are a creative professional or power user invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPad Pro (M5) is one of the best tablets for productivity, on-device AI, and content creation. For users who want a tablet as a laptop replacement with pro apps and accessories, this is a top choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What makes the M5 different from previous M-series chips? The M5 brings higher CPU/GPU core performance and a faster Neural Engine for AI workloads, accelerating on-device intelligence and pro apps. 2. Is the iPad Pro (M5) good for video editing? Yes — with its powerful GPU and optimized apps (Final Cut or LumaFusion), the iPad Pro handles complex video timelines and effects smoothly. 3. Should I upgrade from an M2 iPad Pro? If you rely on heavy GPU/AI workloads or need the absolute best performance, the M5 is a meaningful upgrade; casual users may wait.
Source: Apple Newsroom — iPad Pro M5 announcement