The M4 iPad Pro running on iPadOS 26.
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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Apple just released a new iPad Pro featuring the new M5 chip.
- The iPad Pro boasts stronger, more reliable performance, but one of its standout features is that it is more intelligent in connecting to the internet and other devices than its predecessors.
- The new iPad Pro M5 is available for preorder today and will be officially available for purchase on October 22.
Apple unveiled a brand-new M5 processor this week, which powers new devices now available for preorder, including the iPad Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and Apple Vision Pro. Built with on-device artificial intelligence (AI) in mind, the M5 chip is said to offer 3.5 times faster AI performance than the M4, making it better prepared to power Apple Intelligence features.
Also: Apple just launched an M5 MacBook, iPad, and Vision Pro: Specs, prices, and availability
This processor makes the iPad Pro with M5 roughly five times faster than the M1 version, potentially offering consumers an upgrade that significantly accelerates image generation and video processing. Apple also states that its new M5 processor is more energy-efficient and capable of running AI apps and processes more smoothly than previous iPad Pro models, thanks to a Neural Accelerator in every GPU core.
However, one of the standout features of the new iPad Pro M5 is its improved wireless connectivity, attributed to its C1X and N1 chips. These make the new iPad Pro smarter about how it connects to the internet and other devices.
The upgraded N1 chip is the iPad Pro M5’s wireless controller, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2, and Thread. Wi-Fi 7 offers users a faster, more stable connection across challenging environments, like crowded places or large homes. Consumers can expect Bluetooth 6 to offer a better connectivity range and less interference for the iPad Pro when establishing and maintaining connections to multiple devices, potentially delivering lower latency for headphones, mice, keyboards, and game controllers.
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The C1X chip is Apple’s new in-house modem, boasting up to 50% faster cellular speeds and improved efficiency compared to the iPad Pro M4. This translates to smoother video calls and cellular downloads, as well as a 30% reduction in mobile data power usage. It also supports GPS and eSIM, so you won’t need a physical SIM card to add cellular connectivity, making it easier to switch carriers digitally. This is a big perk for travelers who rely on their iPad Pro for work and need to switch data plans while abroad.
Apple has quietly added Thread radios to Macs and iPads in the past two years, but the company hasn’t activated or widely addressed them. iOS 18, however, enabled Thread radios on iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, with the intention of giving users direct control over Thread-compatible smart home devices.
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It remains unclear when Apple will enable Thread control on the new iPad Pro, as the company hasn’t specifically stated a reason for including the Thread radio in it. What is clear is that the device has the hardware and software support for Thread, though we won’t know if it’ll act as a full-fledged border router or not.
The new iPad Pro M5 is built for professionals, creators, and artists. Its M5 chip delivers up to 6.7 times faster 3D rendering, faster video encoder, and a higher memory bandwidth. Apple has upgraded the iPad Pro 256GB and 512GB models with 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB), which should enhance multitasking and support creative workloads.
You can preorder the M5 iPad Pro today at Apple, or wait until it officially goes on sale on October 21. The 11-inch iPad Pro M5 starts at $999, while the 13-inch model starts at $1,299 — both will be available in Silver and Space Black finishes with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB variations.
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