iPad Pro M4 vs iPad Pro M5: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The iPad Pro M5 picks up where the iPad Pro M4 left off. Close matchups are the hardest to call, and the iPad Pro M4 versus the iPad Pro M5 is one of them.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPad Pro M5 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display7.5
- Memory & Storage5.0
- Battery & Connectivity2.5
- Display7.5
- Memory & Storage7.5
- Battery & Connectivity2.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPad Pro M5 has 4 GB more RAM
For ram, the iPad Pro M5 leads by a wide margin: 12 GB versus 8 GB. Pro apps for photo, video and music work lean heavily on memory, so the iPad Pro M5 has more room to breathe.
Design & Size
- iPad Pro M4 9.83 in × 6.99 in × 0.21 in
- iPad Pro M5 9.83 in × 6.99 in × 0.21 in
Their dimensions are close enough that size should be one of the last things you weigh. If weight matters to you, good news: neither is noticeably heavier.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.83 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 6.99 in | 6.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.21 in | 0.21 in |
| Weight | 15.66 oz | 15.66 oz |
Display
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the display section. For display, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Performance
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t performance. So performance is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Memory & Storage
iPad Pro M5 leads
The memory & storage numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the iPad Pro M5. In its favor, the iPad Pro M5 has 4 GB more RAM. Extra memory also helps a tablet stay usable as apps grow heavier over the years. Prioritize memory & storage, and the iPad Pro M5 is where you should land.
RAM
iPad Pro M4: 8 GB iPad Pro M5: 12 GB More RAM lets a tablet keep more apps and browser tabs active, which matters for split-screen multitasking.
Accessories & Productivity
The accessories & productivity data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Cameras
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if cameras was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. On cameras alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Battery & Connectivity
Too close to call
Call the battery & connectivity round a draw. In short, battery & connectivity is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 2420 x 1668 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4 | M5 |
| CPU cores | 9 | 9 |
| GPU cores | 10 | 10 |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB (winner) |
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 2 TB | 2 TB |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) | Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 17 | iPadOS 26 |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera position | Landscape edge | Landscape edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 31.3 Wh | 31.3 Wh |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | 10 h |
| Port | USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4) | USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4) |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.83 in | 9.83 in |
| Width | 6.99 in | 6.99 in |
| Thickness | 0.21 in | 0.21 in |
| Weight | 15.66 oz | 15.66 oz |
Price
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $999 | $999 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
At launch, the iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Pro M5 cost the same.
Launch prices (US) as of October 2025. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Pro M4 if…
- you don’t care much about the upgrades in the newer model
Choose the iPad Pro M5 if…
- you multitask with split screens and many apps (12 GB vs 8 GB of RAM)
- you’re buying fresh and prefer the more recent model
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad Pro M4 or the iPad Pro M5?
The iPad Pro M5 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you’re on the iPad Pro M4 and nothing about it bothers you.
Should I upgrade from the iPad Pro M4 to the iPad Pro M5?
The iPad Pro M5 adds 4 GB more RAM. That’s welcome, but owners of the iPad Pro M4 who are happy with it can reasonably wait.
Does the iPad Pro M4 last longer on a charge than the iPad Pro M5?
Neither has a meaningful advantage. The iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Pro M5 are rated close enough that your usage will matter more than the spec sheet.
Is the iPad Pro M4 bigger than the iPad Pro M5?
The iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Pro M5 are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Is the iPad Pro M4 lighter than the iPad Pro M5?
Weight won’t decide this one; the iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Pro M5 are very close.
Executive Summary
I’ll keep this simple. The iPad Pro M5 is the successor to the iPad Pro M4, and the question is whether the gap justifies a switch. My main argument for the iPad Pro M5? It comes with 4 GB more RAM.
In my head, the iPad Pro M4 is the the things a spec sheet can’t capture pick and the iPad Pro M5 is the memory & storage pick.
My pick: the iPad Pro M5 for new buyers, while owners of the iPad Pro M4 can probably sit this generation out.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.