Apple has unveiled its latest and highest-end tablet, the iPad Pro, now powered by the all-new M5 chip. This launch continues Apple’s recent pattern of debuting its most powerful new silicon inside the flagship tablet, cementing its role as the company’s premier hardware testbed.
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The key upgrade is the M5, which is heavily geared towards future-proofing the device for artificial intelligence. Apple claims the new chip delivers “up to 3.5× the AI performance” of the previous M4 model, ensuring the tablet is ready for the wave of AI features expected across the platform.
While the upgrade isn’t necessarily targeted at owners of last year’s M4 Pro, it offers compelling reasons for users with M1-powered devices or older models to make the switch. Beyond the processor, the new Pro sports several significant internal enhancements. It features the new C1X cellular modem and the N1 chip for faster Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread connectivity. Memory read and write speeds have also been boosted, and the device now supports fast charging, capable of reaching 50% battery capacity in about 30 minutes.
This aggressive hardware push follows the monumental redesign of the May 2024 Pro, which introduced a thinner chassis and the stunning OLED display. Now, the M5 continues the trend of premiering new silicon alongside the tablet.
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The escalating power race makes sense as Apple steadily turns the Pro into a true laptop replacement. With new features in iPadOS 26 enabling free-form multitasking, and paired with the excellent Magic Keyboard, the hardware is no longer being held back by “hand-holding software.” As Apple’s foundational AI models roll out, the M5’s extreme capabilities will finally be put to the ultimate test.
The new M5 iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch version, available in black and silver. Pre-orders are open now, with shipping and in-store availability starting on October 22.
