Apple has announced updated versions of their iPad Pro range overnight with tweaks across the board in the same familiar Pro form factor. Key to the updates is the new Apple Silicon M5 processor.
Jumping from the M3 and skipping the M4, iPad Pro gets the latest Apple Silicon, which offers a more advanced Graphics Processor and CPU and faster Neural Engine.
The 10-Core GPU now has a Neural Accelerator in each core, which enables impressive AI performance when you need it – Apple says 3.5 times better than the M4-based iPad Pro and 5.6 times more than M1-based Pro’s.
Speaking of benchmarks, for those doing a comparison to their existing Pro models from the last few years – here are a few from Apple direct:
iPad Pro with M5 delivers:
- Up to 6.7x faster 3D rendering with ray tracing in Octane X when compared to iPad Pro with M1, and up to 1.5x faster than iPad Pro with M4.
- Up to 6x faster video transcode performance in Final Cut Pro for iPad when compared to iPad Pro with M1, and up to 1.2x faster than iPad Pro with M4.
- Up to 4x faster AI image generation performance in Draw Things for iPad when compared to iPad Pro with M1, and up to 2x faster than iPad Pro with M4.
- Up to 3.7x faster AI video upscaling performance in DaVinci Resolve for iPad when compared to iPad Pro with M1, and up to 2.3x faster than iPad Pro with M4.
As well as that latest M5 silicon, Apple is bringing more of its own chips to iPad Pro. The cellular modem in the C1X chip is what you’ll get if you choose the cellular version of iPad Pro, while the new WiFi chip, the N1, is also on board to enable WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Threads.
Apple says that chip enables better performance on things like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop, but it will also be good for all-round networking.
These latest iPad Pro models also have the option of Nano-Texture glare-free coating, but only on the 1TB and 2TB models, curiously.
In reality, this is a power and performance upgrade, incremental at best, but ideal for those coming from a few generations back or looking to switch to a more portable Pro-level solution.
iPad Pro prices in Australia
The new M5-powered iPad Pro models start at $1,699 for the 11-inch and $2,199 for the 13-inch. Pack on 2TB of storage on that 13-inch model as well as Nano-Texture Glass, and you’re up for $4,149.
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair.
Father of three, he is often found down in his Man Cave.
