Apple Shatters Records: iPad Pro M5 Review Reveals Most Powerful Tablet Ever!

Starting at $999, the latest iPad Pro M5 is not a groundbreaking update over its predecessor, the M4, yet it remains a top contender among the finest iPads and tablets available. The current iteration enhances what was already great about the previous model by boosting performance and incorporating useful productivity features with the introduction of iPadOS 26.

The introduction of the M5 chip by Apple marks the most significant enhancement in the iPad Pro series. This robust processor enables the device to effortlessly handle intensive gaming and video editing applications. Even if you are not a heavy user, the enhanced speed at which you can browse the internet and toggle between applications is noticeable.

Maintaining its impressive display features, the iPad Pro includes an Ultra Retina XDR OLED screen that offers exceptional image clarity. With a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1, the display presents vivid blacks and bright whites, and maintains sharpness and clarity at a resolution of 2,360 x 1,640. The OLED display, just as mesmerizing as in the previous model, continues to impress in the new iPad Pro.

The 11-inch and 13-inch models of the iPad Pro are sleeker and more lightweight than the current iPad Air M3 versions. Despite their slim profile, these tablets are robust, constructed from strong aluminum. This makes even the larger 13-inch model, which I had the opportunity to review, comfortable to hold for prolonged durations.

While opting for upgrades like the nano-texture glass and adding accessories such as the Apple Magic Keyboard can be costly, the iPad Pro M5 still offers a premium tablet experience. But is it the right choice for you? Let’s delve into that.

• What is it? This new iPad Pro brings several improvements over its predecessor, including a quicker M5 chip, enhanced RAM, support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and improved cellular connectivity. It retains the familiar lightweight framework and the high-quality OLED screen we’ve grown to appreciate.
• Who is it for? The iPad Pro M5 is ideal for users who require a tablet with performance comparable to a MacBook Pro for tasks such as video editing. It’s also suited for anyone who is ready to invest in a premium Apple tablet featuring an OLED display.
• How much does it cost? The iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch version on Apple’s website. Both models are priced the same as their previous versions.
• What do we like? We appreciate the quick and efficient performance powered by the M5 chip, the stunning OLED display, the long battery life, and the productivity-enhancing features of iPadOS 26.
• What don’t we like? The upgrade isn’t a major leap from last year’s iPad Pro M4, and its enhanced AI capabilities might not be necessary for most users.
• Anything else I should know? Like last year’s models, iPad Pro M5 units with 1TB or more of storage feature a fully enabled M5 chip with a 10-core CPU and GPU, along with 16GB of RAM. Models with less than 1TB of storage come with 12GB of RAM and a 9-core CPU, which may slightly underperform compared to the 1TB model I reviewed.

The iPad Pro M5 maintains the same sleek design, stunning OLED display, and long battery life as its predecessor, with the primary upgrade being the powerful M5 chip, along with faster Wi-Fi 7 and the MacBook-like iPadOS 26.

Enhanced Performance with the M5 Chip

The 13-inch model provided to us by Apple is equipped with an M5 chip featuring a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Although our review unit didn’t include nano-texture glass, it did come with Wi-Fi + Cellular capabilities. Configured as such, this unit is valued at $2,099.

Similar to its predecessor, the M5 chip utilizes 3nm technology with advanced features like hardware-accelerated mesh shading, ray tracing, and Dynamic Caching. These features, although no longer new, continue to enhance the graphical performance, particularly noticeable in gaming. The M5 chip may not represent a monumental improvement over the M4, but the enhancements in performance and graphics are evident.

As with the previous iPad Pro, I utilized this device as both a laptop and a tablet. It adeptly managed my typical workflow, which involves multitasking across numerous apps and tabs. The M5 chip’s capabilities are significant, but the redesigned, more productivity-oriented iPadOS 26 also plays a crucial role. Performing less intensive tasks like watching YouTube videos or reading digital comics feels seamless and efficient.

Stunning OLED Display

The OLED screen of the iPad Pro M5 is truly a spectacle and easily my favorite feature. This sentiment is echoed from my experience with the previous model’s OLED screen. The display continues to deliver deep blacks, extremely bright highlights, and vibrant colors. This quality makes it visually stunning.

To evaluate the image quality of the iPad Pro, I watched a video titled “OLED Test 12K HDR 120fps” on YouTube. A particular scene featuring strawberries was impressive, with the reds popping vividly. The photo I captured with my iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t quite do justice to the actual image quality. The iPad Pro’s 120Hz refresh rate synced perfectly with the video’s frame rate, ensuring a smooth playback.

Sleek and Lightweight Build

The design of the new iPad Pro remains consistent with the 2024 model. It features a solid aluminum body with a large display and an ultra-thin profile. The iPad Pro is even thinner and lighter than the iPad Air M3, making even the larger 13-inch model easy to handle over extended periods.

This model continues to feature a landscape-oriented front camera, which is a significant improvement over the portrait-oriented cameras in older models. If you often take selfies or participate in video calls, you’ll find the camera’s positioning to be very convenient. FaceID unlocks are simple, thanks to the centrally located camera.

Durable Battery Life

We managed to conduct one battery test on the iPad Pro, and I’ll provide updates after we complete additional tests. However, the initial test already shows that the tablet can easily last beyond the typical 8-hour workday.

In our battery test, which involved continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the screen brightness set to 150 nits, the iPad Pro lasted for 13 hours and 18 minutes. This duration is nearly two hours longer than the previous model and well over three hours more than Apple’s ten-hour battery life claim. The iPad Pro also outperforms its competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, as indicated in the table above.

Costly Accessories

To fully utilize the iPad Pro, investing in the Apple Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro is recommended. These accessories are unchanged from last year, which is not necessarily a downside given their compatibility and performance with the previous model. However, these accessories remain expensive.

The Apple Pencil Pro starts at $129, while the Magic Keyboard costs $299 for the 11-inch model and $329 for the 13-inch variant. To use the iPad Pro as a complete MacBook replacement, your total investment would be at least $1,648. At this price point, you could alternatively purchase a 13-inch MacBook Air M4 for $999 (or less, depending on sales).

Premium Nano-texture Glass

The nano-texture glass option is available for both the 11- and 13-inch models of the iPad Pro. This upgrade is excellent for reducing screen glare, particularly if you frequently work outdoors or in brightly lit environments.

While an additional $100 for nano-texture glass may seem reasonable, it’s important to note that this option is only available for the more expensive 1TB or 2TB storage models. Upgrading to 1TB storage increases the cost by $600 for both models, and with the nano-texture glass, the total additional cost becomes $700.

Although Apple did not introduce a major redesign with the M5 model, it’s still a worthwhile upgrade if you are using an older iPad Pro model. The M5 iPad Pro continues to deliver exceptional performance, extended battery life, and a visually stunning OLED display.

Your experience with the new features, such as Math Notes and Smart Scripts, will vary. While useful for students and those who prefer writing by hand, they may not be essential for everyone. However, the more MacBook-like interface and window controls of iPadOS 26 make the iPad Pro a viable alternative to a MacBook, especially if you’re prepared to invest in necessary accessories.

Aside from the cost of specific upgrades and peripherals, the iPad Pro M5 stands out as an extraordinary tablet capable of handling nearly any task. It remains my top tablet choice and is likely to retain that position for the foreseeable future. If you’re in the market for a high-end tablet, the iPad Pro M5 is an excellent choice.