iPad Pro M4 vs iPad Pro M5 13-inch: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
One generation separates the iPad Pro M4 from the iPad Pro M5 13-inch, and a generation can mean a lot or surprisingly little. By our tally, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads 2 of 5 areas. The memory & storage section is where it pulls furthest ahead of the iPad Pro M4. Keep the price gap in mind throughout: $300 separates the iPad Pro M4 from the iPad Pro M5 13-inch at launch.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPad Pro M5 13-inch wins
- Cameras Tie
- Battery & Connectivity iPad Pro M5 13-inch wins
- Price iPad Pro M4 wins
- Display7.5
- Memory & Storage5.0
- Battery & Connectivity2.5
- Display7.5
- Memory & Storage7.5
- Battery & Connectivity5.0
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 13-inch has 4 GB more RAM
The iPad Pro M4 gives up a lot on ram: 8 GB, compared with 12 GB on the iPad Pro M5 13-inch. Extra memory also helps a tablet stay usable as apps grow heavier over the years.
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The iPad Pro M4 has a 4.76 oz lighter build
Few buyers will miss this one. The iPad Pro M4 brings 15.66 oz to the table; the iPad Pro M5 13-inch brings 20.42 oz. Weight matters most when you hold a tablet for long reading or drawing sessions.
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The iPad Pro M5 13-inch has a 2-inch larger screen
Differences like this cut both ways. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch lists 13 in, the iPad Pro M4 11 in. Screen size largely decides what kind of tablet this is (a portable reader or a laptop stand-in), so think about where you’ll use it.
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The iPad Pro M5 13-inch has 25% more battery capacity
When it comes to battery, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch wins comfortably with 39 Wh against 31.3 Wh. Capacity is only half of the story, since screen size and chip efficiency also shape real endurance.
-
The iPad Pro M5 13-inch has
More isn’t automatically better here: the iPad Pro M5 13-inch’s 8.48 in and the iPad Pro M4’s 6.99 in simply suit different preferences. Width affects how comfortably you can hold the tablet in landscape and whether it fits a small bag.
Design & Size
- iPad Pro M4 9.83 in × 6.99 in × 0.21 in
- iPad Pro M5 13-inch 11.09 in × 8.48 in × 0.20 in
Going by the official dimensions, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch is the larger of the two. In the weight column, the iPad Pro M4 leads by 4.76 oz.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.83 in | 11.09 in |
| Width | 6.99 in | 8.48 in |
| Thickness | 0.21 in | 0.20 in Slimmest in class |
| Weight | 15.66 oz (winner) | 20.42 oz |
Display
Too close to call
The iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Pro M5 13-inch match each other closely in this area. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Screen size
iPad Pro M4: 11 in iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 13 in A bigger screen gives you more room for split-screen apps, documents and movies, while a smaller one is easier to hold and carry.
Performance
Too close to call
Side by side, the performance figures for the iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Pro M5 13-inch barely differ. So performance is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Memory & Storage
iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads the memory & storage section with room to spare. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch delivers 4 GB more RAM. More RAM lets a tablet keep more apps and browser tabs active, which matters for split-screen multitasking. On memory & storage alone, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch gets the nod.
RAM
iPad Pro M4: 8 GB iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 12 GB Pro apps for photo, video and music work lean heavily on memory, so the iPad Pro M5 13-inch has more room to breathe.
Accessories & Productivity
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Pro M5 13-inch row by row in the table below.
Cameras
Too close to call
The differences on cameras are small enough to ignore in daily use. Net result on cameras: level.
Battery & Connectivity
iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads
In the battery & connectivity category, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The iPad Pro M5 13-inch answers with 25% more battery capacity. A bigger battery usually means more hours of reading, streaming and working between charges. Net result: the iPad Pro M5 13-inch leads this part of the comparison.
Battery
iPad Pro M4: 31.3 Wh iPad Pro M5 13-inch: 39 Wh The iPad Pro M5 13-inch carries more capacity, which helps with heavier work that drains a battery faster.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 13 in |
| Panel type | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 2752 x 2064 |
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4 | M5 |
| CPU cores | 9 | 9 |
| GPU cores | 10 | 10 |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 31.3 Wh | 39 Wh (winner) Biggest battery in class |
| 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 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.83 in | 11.09 in |
| Width | 6.99 in | 8.48 in |
| Thickness | 0.21 in | 0.20 in Slimmest in class |
| Weight | 15.66 oz (winner) | 20.42 oz |
Price
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | iPad Pro M5 13-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $999 (winner) | $1,299 Priciest in class |
“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
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 30% apart, a difference of $300. What does the iPad Pro M5 13-inch’s extra $300 actually get you? Mainly 4 GB more RAM and 25% more battery capacity.
These are US launch prices, recorded October 2025; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Pro M4 if…
- you often hold your tablet in one hand for long stretches (15.66 oz vs 20.42 oz)
- you want more value for your money ($300 less at launch)
- you rarely use the areas where the newer model improves
Choose the iPad Pro M5 13-inch if…
- you multitask with split screens and many apps (12 GB vs 8 GB of RAM)
- you want the bigger battery (39 Wh vs 31.3 Wh)
- you want the changes the iPad Pro M5 13-inch brings over its predecessor
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad Pro M4 or the iPad Pro M5 13-inch?
The iPad Pro M5 13-inch wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you can keep using the iPad Pro M4 you already own.
Is the iPad Pro M5 13-inch worth it over the iPad Pro M4?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the iPad Pro M5 13-inch offers 4 GB more RAM and 25% more battery capacity compared with the iPad Pro M4.
Which has better battery life, the iPad Pro M4 or the iPad Pro M5 13-inch?
On paper, the iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Pro M5 13-inch are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Which is larger, the iPad Pro M4 or the iPad Pro M5 13-inch?
Going by the official dimensions, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch is the larger one: 11.09 × 8.48 × 0.20 in against the iPad Pro M4’s 9.83 × 6.99 × 0.21 in.
Is the iPad Pro M4 cheaper than the iPad Pro M5 13-inch?
Going by launch prices, the iPad Pro M4 costs $300 less than the iPad Pro M5 13-inch. Prices as of October 2025; current offers may differ.
Which weighs less, the iPad Pro M4 or the iPad Pro M5 13-inch?
The iPad Pro M4 is lighter, by 4.76 oz.
Executive Summary
The iPad Pro M4 had its run, and now the iPad Pro M5 13-inch has taken over. Here’s what I think actually changed. My main argument for the iPad Pro M5 13-inch? It comes with 4 GB more RAM. A second point goes to the iPad Pro M5 13-inch for 25% more battery capacity. That said, the iPad Pro M4 answers with a 4.76 oz lighter build, which some people will value more.
If your days lean on portability, I’d pick the iPad Pro M4; if they lean on memory & storage, the iPad Pro M5 13-inch.
My pick: the iPad Pro M5 13-inch if you’re choosing today, but owning the iPad Pro M4 is no reason to panic.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.