Apple just dropped its most powerful tablet yet, launching the M5-powered iPad Pro with what the company claims is 3.5x the AI performance of last year's M4 model. Available for pre-order today starting at $999, the new Pro ships October 22nd with internal upgrades that position it as Apple's laptop replacement.
The timing couldn't be better as iPadOS 26 finally delivers the multitasking freedom users have been demanding.
Apple just made its boldest play yet to convince users that the iPad Pro isn't just a tablet - it's a laptop killer. The company announced the M5-powered iPad Pro today, delivering what it calls "up to 3.5x the AI performance" of last year's already impressive M4 model.
The numbers tell the story of Apple's relentless chip development cycle. Just five months after the M4 iPad Pro launch reshaped the tablet market, Apple is back with another silicon upgrade. According to the company's press release, the M5 brings significant improvements in video processing tasks alongside that headline AI performance boost.
But the M5 chip isn't the only story here. Apple quietly stuffed the new iPad Pro with internal upgrades that suggest the company is serious about positioning this as a laptop replacement. The cellular models now pack Apple's new C1X modem, while all versions get the N1 chip handling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread connectivity. Yes, Thread - the smart home protocol that's been slowly making its way across Apple's ecosystem.
Memory performance got a boost too, with faster read and write speeds that should help when you're juggling multiple iPadOS 26 apps in the new free-form multitasking mode. And for road warriors, fast charging now hits 50% in about 30 minutes.
Apple seems to be playing this launch strategically. Rather than trying to convince M4 iPad Pro owners to upgrade after just five months, the company is targeting users with M1-powered Pros or older devices. That makes sense when you consider the M4 Pro already delivers more performance than most users can tap.
The pricing stays aggressive: $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch version. Both come in black and silver, available for pre-order now with October 22nd shipping. It's the same pricing strategy that made the M4 Pro compelling, especially when you factor in how easily you can hit $2,000 once you add storage and accessories.
