The new M5 chip takes center stage in today’s announcements, powering Apple’s latest lineup of devices. Built on a 3-nanometer process, the M5 features a 10-core GPU and a neural engine integrated into each core. According to Apple, this design boosts GPU-driven AI performance and delivers up to four times the peak GPU computing power of the previous M4 chip.
Overall graphics performance has improved by 30 percent compared to the M4, while the new 10-core CPU delivers up to 15 percent faster multi-threaded performance. Apple even describes it as the “world’s fastest CPU core.” The 16-core Neural Engine has also been upgraded, enabling faster performance for Apple Intelligence features and other AI-driven tasks, such as transforming 2D photos into immersive spatial scenes.
In addition, Apple reports a 30 percent increase in unified memory bandwidth, which not only supports larger on-device AI models but also enhances performance across the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, resulting in a more seamless and powerful computing experience.
The New iPad Pro
It’s been about a year and a half since the launch of the M4-powered iPad Pro, but Apple’s latest M5 iPad Pro refresh doesn’t bring major changes beyond the new processor. The tablets still come in two familiar sizes—11 and 13 inches—and both support fast charging, reaching 50 percent in just 30 minutes with a compatible charger. However, Apple continues to ship only a 20-watt USB-C adapter in the box, which might disappoint some users.
Both models now include Apple’s N1 networking chip, first seen in the iPhone 17, offering Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. There’s also the C1X 5G modem from the iPhone Air, which delivers 50 percent faster cellular speeds and uses 30 percent less power than the modem in the M4 iPad Pro. Performance gains are impressive: expect a 3.5× improvement in AI processing, 1.5× faster 3D rendering with ray tracing, up to 1.2× faster video transcoding in Final Cut Pro, and 2.3× faster AI video upscaling in DaVinci Resolve. The 256 GB and 512 GB configurations now include 12 GB of unified memory, double that of their predecessors, while the increased memory bandwidth gives the entire system a noticeable boost.
Beyond performance, most specifications remain unchanged. The new iPad Pros are still exceptionally thin, feature Apple’s Tandem OLED display technology, and can achieve up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness. The nano-textured glass option also returns for users who prefer reduced glare. Additionally, Apple has introduced support for external displays running at up to 120 Hz, and a new Adaptive Sync feature ensures the lowest possible latency between the iPad and compatible monitors.
The New MacBook Pro
Interestingly, Apple hasn’t overhauled its MacBook Pro lineup with the M5 chip—at least not yet. For now, the company has introduced a single new model: a 14-inch MacBook Pro featuring four storage configurations (512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB) and three unified memory options (16 GB, 24 GB, or 32 GB). The base model retains its $1,599 starting price, while a fully upgraded version can reach up to $3,369. More powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max variants, along with a 16-inch model, are expected to arrive in 2026.
Performance improvements mirror those seen on the M5 iPad Pro, including 3.5× faster AI performance, 1.6× better graphics, and 2× faster SSD speeds compared to the M4-powered version. Otherwise, this is essentially the same 14-inch MacBook Pro users already know—boasting a mini-LED display (with the nano-texture glass option), an impressive 24-hour battery life, a six-speaker audio system, and a 12-MP webcam.
Connectivity remains robust, with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, an SDXC card slot, a headphone jack, and MagSafe charging all included.
