Apple's latest iPad Pro has arrived, and the M5 chip brings some impressive upgrades. But is it worth your money? After analyzing all the changes, here's everything you need to know before making your purchase decision.
M5 Chip Performance: Real-World Speed Gains
The heart of this new iPad is the M5 chip, and the performance jump is genuinely noteworthy. Apple promises up to 15% faster CPU performance and a massive 45% boost in GPU performance compared to the M4.
Real-world Geekbench scores show about 12% improvement on the CPU side and 36% on the GPU side when comparing base 9-core variants. For everyday tasks like browsing and email, you won't notice much difference. But if you're editing 4K videos, working with large Procreate files, or playing graphics-intensive games, this upgrade makes a tangible difference.
AI Gets a Massive Boost
Here's where things get exciting. The M5 chip includes a dedicated neural accelerator in every GPU core, delivering over four times the peak GPU compute power for AI tasks compared to the M4, and over six times compared to the M1.
What does this mean for you? Faster photo editing with AI features, smoother real-time image generation, and better performance with apps that use machine learning. As AI features become more common in iPad apps, this extra power will become increasingly valuable.
More RAM Across the Board
Finally, Apple has addressed one of the biggest complaints about previous base models. The 256GB and 512GB versions now come with 12GB of RAM, up from just 8GB in the M4 iPad Pro. That's a 50% increase for the same price.
If you opt for the 1TB or 2TB models, you get 16GB of RAM. While you can't go higher than that, 16GB is plenty for even the most demanding iPad workflows, including professional video editing and complex 3D modeling.
Faster Memory Bandwidth Matters
Beyond just having more RAM, the memory is faster too. Bandwidth increased from 120GB per second to 153GB per second. Think of this as the highway your data travels on getting wider lanes.
In practical terms, this means less waiting when switching between apps, smoother multitasking with multiple split-screen apps, and better performance when working with large files. It's not something you'll notice dramatically, but it contributes to an overall snappier experience.
Charging Speed Finally Catches Up
The new iPad Pro supports up to 60 watts of charging, compared to about 35 watts on the M4. This means you can go from 0% to 50% in around 30 minutes.
Apple recommends their 40-watt dynamic power adapter (yes, that's really what they're calling it), but any quality charger over 60 watts will work just fine. This is especially helpful if you're using your iPad for all-day work sessions and need a quick power boost during lunch.
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 Arrive
Apple's new N1 wireless chip brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 to the iPad Pro. Wi-Fi 7 offers faster speeds and more reliable connections, especially in crowded networks like coffee shops or airports.
For the cellular model, you get the new C1X chip with improved 5G efficiency. The $200 premium for cellular is still steep, especially since there's no SIM card slot anymore, just eSIM. But if you need internet access on the go without tethering to your phone, it's a worthwhile investment.
External Display Support Gets Better
If you use your iPad Pro with an external monitor, you'll appreciate this: the M5 now supports 120Hz refresh rates over Thunderbolt, up from 60Hz on the M4. Scrolling and animations look dramatically smoother on compatible displays.
This makes the iPad Pro a more viable desktop replacement, though we're still waiting for Apple to release a 120Hz Studio Display to really take advantage of this feature.
What's in the Box (Or Not)
Here's something odd: if you're in the US, you still get a basic 20-watt USB-C charger in the box. But if you're in the UK or Europe, there's no charger at all, just a cable.
Apple stopped including chargers with the M4 iPad Pro in these regions last year, and they've removed the Apple stickers too. Pro tip: if you're buying from a physical Apple Store, you can ask for free stickers at checkout.
Nano-Texture Display: Worth the Extra Cost?
The nano-texture display option returns, adding $100 to your purchase. This matte finish dramatically reduces reflections, making outdoor use much more comfortable.
The downside? Text and images on white backgrounds look slightly less sharp compared to the glossy display. There's also a catch: you can only add this option if you buy the 1TB or 2TB models. If you frequently work outside or in bright environments, it's a game-changer. Otherwise, save your money.
Storage Remains Capped at 2TB
Two terabytes is still the maximum storage available, unchanged since the M1 iPad Pro. While the storage is faster now, it's disappointing that the MacBook Pro M5 offers up to 4TB while the iPad Pro doesn't.
For most people, 256GB or 512GB is plenty, especially with iCloud storage for photos and files. But professional videographers who want to keep large project files locally might feel constrained.
Apple Pencil Compatibility is Confusing
Here's where things get messy. The M5 iPad Pro only works with the Apple Pencil Pro and the USB-C Apple Pencil, not the second-generation Apple Pencil. The magnets are positioned differently, making the older pencil incompatible.
If you already own an Apple Pencil 2, you'll need to upgrade to the Pro version ($129) to use it with the new iPad Pro. The Pencil Pro adds useful features like squeeze gestures and barrel roll recognition, but it's frustrating that Apple couldn't maintain backwards compatibility.
Consider a Refurbished M4 Instead
In a few months, refurbished M4 iPad Pros will be available directly from Apple, typically at about $250 off. Yes, you'll miss out on 4GB of RAM, slightly slower performance, and the newer wireless standards. But for most people, the M4 is still incredibly powerful.
If you don't need the absolute latest and greatest, waiting for a refurbished M4 could save you significant money while still getting an excellent device.
It's More Expensive Than a MacBook Air
Here's a reality check: the base M5 iPad Pro costs more than an M4 MacBook Air, which you can find for around $879-$999. Add a Magic Keyboard ($299) and Apple Pencil Pro ($129), and you're spending nearly $1,800, double what a MacBook Air costs.
The iPad Pro has a superior OLED screen and touch input, but the MacBook Air has more RAM in comparable configurations, better battery life, and a more capable operating system for productivity work. Unless you specifically need the iPad's form factor or touch/pencil input, a MacBook Air delivers better value.
Transparency About Specs is Welcome
Apple now clearly shows how many CPU cores and how much RAM each configuration includes on their website. Previously, you had to dig through tech specs to discover that 1TB models had an extra performance core and double the RAM.
This transparency is a welcome change and helps buyers make more informed decisions about which configuration truly meets their needs.
Is It a Low-Effort Update?
The M5 iPad Pro feels incremental. Apple didn't even change the wallpaper on the box. We're getting a faster chip, more RAM, and better wireless connectivity, but that's about it.
Many users were hoping for the new front camera system from the iPhone 17 lineup, or perhaps Face ID improvements. Instead, this feels like a spec bump rather than a meaningful redesign.
Should You Buy the iPad M5 Pro?
Here's the honest answer: it depends on your current situation.
Buy it if:
- You have an iPad Pro from 2020 or earlier
- You need the absolute best performance for professional creative work
- You want cellular connectivity and the latest wireless standards
- You work outdoors frequently and would benefit from the nano-texture display
Skip it if:
- You have an M1 or newer iPad Pro (the differences aren't dramatic enough)
- You're primarily using your iPad for content consumption, web browsing, and light productivity
- Budget is a concern
Better alternatives:
- iPad Air M3: Best value for most people, offering excellent performance at a lower price
- Refurbished M2 or M4 iPad Pro: Get ProMotion display and great performance for less money
- M4 MacBook Air: Better overall value if you don't specifically need the iPad form factor
price of iPad M5 Pro in Nepal
Final Thoughts
The M5 iPad Pro is undeniably powerful, but it's an evolutionary update rather than a revolutionary one. Apple has created an incredibly capable tablet that can handle virtually any task you throw at it. The question is whether you need that much power.
For creative professionals working with demanding apps like LumaFusion, Affinity Photo, or Procreate, the performance gains are meaningful. For everyone else, the improvements are nice to have but not essential.
The iPad Pro remains caught between being a tablet and a laptop, with iPadOS still holding back the hardware's full potential. Until Apple's software catches up to the hardware capabilities, many potential buyers might be better served by either a less expensive iPad or a MacBook.
Think carefully about how you'll actually use the device. If you can honestly say you need the extra power and will use the touch/pencil features regularly, the M5 iPad Pro is excellent. Otherwise, save your money and consider the alternatives.