Apple has introduced the most recent technology of the iPad Professional with M5, bringing a considerable improve to processing energy, graphics capabilities, and AI efficiency. The brand new pill additionally introduces Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, sooner storage, and an up to date model of iPadOS that additional blurs the road between pill and laptop computer efficiency.
The machine is available in two sizes, 11 inches and 13 inches, and retains Apple’s signature minimalist design. Each variations are thinner than earlier than, measuring simply 5.3 mm and 5.1 mm respectively, and can be found in silver and house black finishes.
John Ternus, Apple’s senior vp of {Hardware} Engineering, mentioned: “Powered by the following technology of Apple silicon, the brand new iPad Professional delivers our most superior and versatile iPad expertise but.”
Key Specs
Chip: M5 with 10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine
Show: Extremely Retina XDR with tandem OLED know-how, ProMotion, and True Tone
Brightness: 1,000 nits full-screen SDR/HDR, 1,600 nits HDR peak
Reminiscence Bandwidth: 150 GB/s (approx. 30% improve over earlier technology)
Unified Reminiscence: 12 GB minimal on 256 GB and 512 GB fashions
Storage Choices: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and a couple of TB
Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread (by way of Apple N1 chip)
Mobile (elective): C1X modem, as much as 50% sooner knowledge and 30% decrease power use
Charging: Quick cost help (50% in about half-hour with 40 W adapter)
Exterior Show Assist: As much as 120 Hz refresh fee with Adaptive Sync
Physique Thickness: 5.3 mm (11-inch), 5.1 mm (13-inch)
Coloration Choices: House black and silver
OS: iPadOS 26
M5: The Subsequent Leap in AI
The M5 processor introduces a 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator constructed into every core, designed to hurry up AI-heavy workflows. Apple claims as much as 3.5x sooner AI efficiency in comparison with the M4 iPad Professional and 5.6x sooner than the M1 mannequin. This improve notably advantages inventive duties resembling AI-based picture technology in Draw Issues and AI video masking in DaVinci Resolve.
The brand new Neural Engine, with 16 cores, handles on-device machine studying extra effectively, aiding in AI-driven options resembling picture creation in Picture Playground and good automation instruments in iPadOS 26.
Efficiency Good points
Apple stories important efficiency enhancements throughout a number of skilled apps:
As much as 6.7x sooner 3D rendering with ray tracing in Octane X (vs. M1 mannequin)
As much as 6x sooner video transcoding in Last Minimize Professional for iPad (vs. M1)
As much as 4x sooner AI picture technology in Draw Issues for iPad (vs. M1)
As much as 3.7x sooner AI video upscaling in DaVinci Resolve for iPad (vs. M1)
The M5 additionally helps a brand new ray-tracing engine, providing extra real looking lighting and reflections in video games and rendering duties.
Design and Show
The brand new iPad Professional continues Apple’s development towards thinner, lighter designs whereas integrating probably the most superior show ever in an iPad. The Extremely Retina XDR panel combines two OLED layers to attain excessive brightness and deep distinction.
A nano-texture glass possibility is offered for professionals working in vivid or reflective environments, designed to cut back glare with out compromising picture high quality.
iPadOS 26
iPadOS 26 introduces a redesigned interface that includes a brand new translucent “Liquid Glass” aesthetic and a strong windowing system that brings desktop-style multitasking to the pill. A brand new menu bar supplies simpler entry to app instructions, whereas the Recordsdata and Preview apps have been upgraded to higher deal with file administration and doc modifying.
Apple Intelligence, the corporate’s AI platform, expands throughout the OS, providing options like reside translation, good shortcuts, and improved contextual understanding in Messages and FaceTime.
Equipment and Ecosystem
Apple is launching a number of new and up to date equipment alongside the iPad Professional. These embody the Apple Pencil Professional, Apple Pencil (USB-C), and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Professional, which now options an aluminum palm relaxation and performance row.
Apple additionally launched a brand new 40W Dynamic Energy Adapter with 60W Max, designed to allow sooner charging for iPad and different Apple units.
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders for the brand new iPad Professional started immediately. The units shall be available in shops beginning October 22.
11-inch Wi-Fi: $999
11-inch Wi-Fi + Mobile: $1,199
13-inch Wi-Fi: $1,299
13-inch Wi-Fi + Mobile: $1,499
Apple Pencil Professional is priced at $129, whereas Apple Pencil (USB-C) prices $79. The Magic Keyboard for iPad Professional is offered for $299 (11-inch) and $349 (13-inch).
Why It Issues for Creators
For photographers and video professionals, the M5 iPad Professional presents desktop-level energy in a conveyable kind. The sooner GPU and AI acceleration make real-time rendering and picture technology viable on-device, eliminating the necessity to offload work to a Mac or cloud system. Mixed with iPadOS 26’s new multitasking and file administration instruments, the pill continues to mature as a severe inventive workstation.
The iPad Professional with M5 reinforces Apple’s place on the excessive finish of the pill market, mixing superior AI processing, improved show know-how, and sooner connectivity into a well-known, transportable design. Whereas the value stays premium, the efficiency positive factors and inventive options could justify the associated fee for professionals looking for a light-weight but highly effective companion for picture, video, and design work.
