Apple M5 iPad

iPad Pro with M5: a simple guide and how to choose

At a glance

• The big push is on-device AI and a smarter GPU: every GPU core has a Neural Accelerator, plus RT Gen3 support.

• 153 GB/s unified memory helps keep large models/textures on the device.

• New Ultra Retina XDR (Tandem OLED) with ProMotion 10–120 Hz; nano-texture glass is available only on higher-capacity models.

• Modern connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread; Thunderbolt/USB4 (up to 40 Gbit/s), external display up to 6K@60 or 4K@120.

• Media engine: hardware H.264/HEVC/ProRes/ProRes RAW (up to 8K) and AV1 (decode).

The key difference between configurations

Your storage choice automatically sets the CPU and RAM. You can’t freely mix and match.

• 256 / 512 GB → 9-core CPU (3P+6E) and 12 GB RAM, 10-core GPU.

• 1 / 2 TB → 10-core CPU (4P+6E) and 16 GB RAM, 10-core GPU + optional nano-texture display.

What every iPad Pro (M5) shares

• 10-core GPU with per-core Neural Accelerators.

• 153 GB/s unified memory bandwidth.

• 16-core Neural Engine.

• Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread; Thunderbolt/USB4 up to 40 Gbit/s.

• External display support: up to 6K@60 or 4K@120.

Which version fits your work

12 GB RAM / 9-core CPU (256–512 GB)

Choose this if you:

• edit 4K with light upscaling/denoise;

• retouch photos, draw/illustrate, or use AI features casually without huge local models;

• want the lightest price/weight while still getting the new display and fast connectivity.

16 GB RAM / 10-core CPU (1–2 TB)

Pick this if you:

• run generative effects, local LLMs/diffusion models, and keep many layers/long timelines;

• render RT scenes and do long export batches;

• want nano-texture matte glass (only on these versions).

Where M5 feels most noticeable on iPad

• Photo/graphics/3D: super-resolution, stylization, masking — faster thanks to GPU Neural Accelerators.

• Video: upscaling/denoise, ProRes pipelines and exports — boosted by the media blocks and wide memory bandwidth.

• External displays: accurate previews at 6K/60 or 4K/120 without the UI becoming a bottleneck.

Important notes before you buy

• RAM matters in practice. For big projects (AI, 3D, editing), 16 GB delivers more stable performance under sustained load.

• Connectivity: cellular versions are eSIM-only (check plan compatibility with your carrier).

• Tablet thermals: during very long renders, a laptop can still outlast the iPad thanks to active cooling.

Bottom line

If your work is creativity, video, and on-device AI, go for 1–2 TB (16 GB RAM, 10-core CPU) — it holds up better under long loads and unlocks nano-texture. For general use, drawing, photography, and lighter editing, 256–512 GB (12 GB RAM, 9-core CPU) is plenty: you still get the new display, fast connectivity, and the same powerful M5 graphics.