Apple M5 Chip: New iPad Pro, MacBook Pro & Vision Pro Updates

Apple Unveils M5 Chip and Updated Product Line

On Wednesday, Apple introduced its latest silicon innovation, the M5 chip. This new chip powers a range of updated devices, including the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro.

Preorders for these devices are currently being accepted, with anticipated shipping and retail availability beginning on October 22.

Enhanced Performance with the M5 Chip

The integration of the M5 chip results in demonstrably faster performance across the new device lineup when compared to previous generations. Apple claims the chip delivers over four times the peak GPU compute performance of the M4.

Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies, stated that the M5 chip “marks the next significant advancement in AI performance for Apple silicon.”

iPad Pro Receives a Significant Boost

The new iPad Pro benefits from the M5 chip, offering “up to 3.5x the AI performance” compared to last year’s Pro model. This represents a substantial improvement, exceeding the AI capabilities of the M1-equipped iPad Pro by up to 5.6x.

Further enhancements to the iPad Pro include Apple’s C1X cellular modem, providing up to 50% faster cellular data speeds, and the N1 chip for improved Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread connectivity.

Faster storage read and write speeds, coupled with accelerated charging – reaching up to 50% capacity in approximately 30 minutes – also contribute to the iPad Pro’s upgraded functionality.

Apple’s move to enhance the iPad Pro’s capabilities aligns with their strategy to position the tablet as a viable alternative to traditional laptops. The upcoming iPadOS 26 will introduce more intuitive window management, the Preview application, and enhanced folder organization.

Pricing for the iPad Pro begins at $999 for the 11-inch version and $1,299 for the 13-inch model, available in both black and silver finishes.

MacBook Pro: Power and Efficiency

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro is engineered for increased speed and efficiency. It features upgraded graphics performance, up to 1.6 times faster than its predecessor.

Memory bandwidth has been increased to 153Gbps, a step up from the M4’s 120Gbps, and storage speeds have also been optimized. The MacBook Pro offers up to 24 hours of battery life.

The starting price for the MacBook Pro is $1,599, with color options including space black and silver.

Vision Pro Enhanced with M5

The Vision Pro is also receiving an upgrade to the M5 chip, replacing the previously utilized M2. This change brings notable improvements to the device’s performance.

Display rendering is enhanced by 10%, and refresh rates now reach up to 120Hz, an increase from the prior 100Hz. AI-powered features are accelerated by 50%, and battery life is extended by 30 minutes, providing up to 2.5 hours of general use or three hours of video playback.

A new Dual Knit Band is included with the upgraded Vision Pro, designed to provide a more comfortable and secure fit. It is available in small, medium, and large sizes. The price of the Vision Pro remains at $3,499.

This announcement follows reports indicating Apple’s increasing focus on the development of smart glasses, potentially shifting resources away from further refinement of its current VR headset.