After rumours swirling for a week about the impending launch of new M5 processor based products, Apple has quietly unveiled a new iPad Pro powered by the M5 chip, pushing on-device AI performance, graphics and connectivity into fresh territory. The tablets — in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes — add Wi-Fi 7 through a new N1 wireless chip, a faster Apple-designed C1X modem on cellular models, and the Ultra Retina XDR tandem-OLED display. Pre-orders open in India today, with retail availability from Wednesday, 22 October. The 11-inch Wi-Fi model starts at Rs 99,990; the 13-inch Wi-Fi model at Rs 1,29,900. Wi-Fi + Cellular variants begin at Rs 1,19,900 (11-inch) and Rs 1,49,900 (13-inch).
“Powered by the next generation of Apple silicon, the new iPad Pro delivers our most advanced and versatile iPad experience yet,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “iPad Pro with M5 unlocks endless possibilities for creativity and productivity — with a huge leap in AI performance and a big boost in graphics, superfast wireless connectivity, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, it pushes the boundaries of what iPad can do yet again.”
M5 Brings Bigger On-Device AI Gains
Apple’s M5 system-on-a-chip introduces a 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in every core and a faster CPU (up to 10 cores: four performance, six efficiency). Apple claims up to 3.5× higher AI performance versus the M4 iPad Pro, and up to 5.6× versus the M1 generation, improving tasks such as diffusion-based image generation (Draw Things) and AI video masking (DaVinci Resolve). A third-generation hardware ray-tracing engine delivers up to 1.5× faster 3D rendering than M4 models and up to 6.7× versus M1, according to Apple’s figures. Video workflows benefit too, with Apple citing up to 6× faster transcode in Final Cut Pro for iPad (vs M1).
Wireless And Connectivity
A new N1 wireless chip enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, and improves stability for features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. On cellular variants, the Apple-designed C1X modem brings up to 50 percent faster cellular data and up to 30 percent lower power usage (versus the previous generation), with 5G support, GPS/location features and eSIM for easier plan setup when travelling.
Core Specifications
Feature
| Details
| Sizes & Colours
| 11-inch and 13-inch; Space Black, Silver
| Display
| Ultra Retina XDR (tandem-OLED), ProMotion, True Tone
| Brightness
| 1,000 nits full-screen (SDR/HDR), 1,600 nits peak (HDR)
| Chip
| Apple M5 with up to 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU
| Neural Engine
| 16-core; Apple-quoted AI gains up to 3.5× vs M4, 5.6× vs M1
| Memory/Storage
| 12 GB on 256 GB & 512 GB models; 256 GB/512 GB/1 TB/2 TB
| Wireless
| N1 chip: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread
| Cellular (models)
| C1X modem, 5G, GPS/location, eSIM (cellular variants)
| Design
| 11-inch: 5.3 mm; 13-inch: 5.1 mm; nano-texture glass option
| Power
| Fast-charge support (≈50% in ~30 mins with high-watt USB-C adapter)
|
Display And Design
Available in space black and silver, the 11-inch model is 5.3 mm thin and the 13-inch at 5.1 mm. Both use the Ultra Retina XDR display built on tandem-OLED, promising precise contrast, ProMotion variable refresh, True Tone, and sustained 1,000 nits full-screen brightness for SDR and HDR, peaking at 1,600 nits in HDR. A nano-texture glass option tackles glare. New external-display support reaches up to 120 Hz with Adaptive Sync for lower latency — useful for colour-managed workflows, editing and gaming.
Memory, Storage And Charging
Unified memory bandwidth now reaches over 150 GB/s (about 30 percent higher than before). Storage read/write speeds are up to 2× faster. The 256 GB and 512 GB configurations start with 12 GB of unified memory. Fast charge is supported: Apple says up to 50 percent in around 30 minutes with a high-wattage USB-C power adapter such as Apple’s 70 W unit (sold separately).
iPadOS 26 And Pro Apps
iPadOS 26 introduces a redesigned interface with ‘Liquid Glass’ visuals, an entirely new windowing system, and a menu bar for faster command access. The Files app gains stronger organisation and default-app settings; the Preview app arrives on iPad for PDF viewing/editing with Apple Pencil Markup and AutoFill. For creators, Background Tasks and deeper audio-input controls enable heavier workloads and higher-quality local capture. Apple Intelligence features are integrated across the system, with Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages, new Shortcuts actions, and smarter Reminders categorisation.
Pricing And Availability In India
Pre-orders open today on Apple’s online store and app, with in-store availability and deliveries beginning Wednesday, 22 October. Both sizes come in silver and space black, with 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB storage options.
— 11-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi): Rs 99,990
— 11-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi + Cellular): Rs 1,19,900
— 13-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi): Rs 1,29,900
— 13-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi + Cellular): Rs 1,49,900
This update is less about changing the iPad’s silhouette and more about the engine room. The M5’s neural-accelerated GPU and faster Neural Engine point to a future where on-device AI creation, edit and upscale tasks happen locally and quickly. Tandem-OLED keeps the Pro display story compelling, while Wi-Fi 7 and the C1X modem modernise connectivity for studios and travellers alike. For M1 iPad Pro users, Apple’s own numbers suggest meaningful leaps in rendering, transcode and AI-assisted edits; for recent M-series owners, the upgrade case turns on how fast their workflows are shifting to on-device AI and external high-refresh displays. |
