At a look
Professional’s Score
Execs
- Gorgeous show
- Excellent efficiency
- Attractive slim and light-weight design
- Quick charging
Cons
- Very costly
- Nano-texture coating solely out there on some fashions
- Equipment not included
Our Verdict
Apple’s iPad Professional is an distinctive pill with nice efficiency, a shocking show, a brilliant slim and light-weight design, and a good battery life. Nonetheless, given how costly it’s and with no equipment within the field, be sure there isn’t a less expensive different that may go well with you simply as effectively.
Worth When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Finest Pricing At present
Worth When Reviewed
$999
Finest Costs At present: Apple iPad Professional 11-inch (M5, 2025)
$949
$989
$999
$999
$999.99
Apple’s iPad lineup is essentially the most intensive it’s ever been. There’s the lovable and compact iPad mini (A17 Professional), the superb on a regular basis iPad (A16), the highly effective and transportable iPad Air (M3) and on the prime, you’ve gotten the iPad Professional.
Till just lately, that was the iPad Professional (M4), however Apple has now launched a extra superior processor to this slab within the M5, while additionally bettering connectivity and including, for the primary time on iPad, quick charging.
When you have the iPad Professional (M4), it’s extremely unlikely you’ll be upgrading, however you probably have an older iPad Professional, one other iPad, otherwise you’re new to iPad totally, there’s lots to like within the iPad Professional (M5). Having used it because it was introduced, right here’s why it cements itself as greatest at school, in addition to what to contemplate earlier than you hit purchase.
Design & Construct
- Identical design as iPad Professional (M4)
- Two colors
- Aluminium construct
There’s simply one thing about slim units. I’m not even positive we’ve all observed as telephones and tablets have elevated in thickness over the previous few years. Evaluate the iPhone 6 to the iPhone 17, although, and there’s a noticeable distinction. When the iPad Professional (M4) was revealed in Might 2024, its 5.1mm construct was as noteworthy because it was spectacular.
Britta O’Boyle
At that time, we hadn’t seen the iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, so telephones weren’t wherever close to that slim, not to mention tablets. It was so mild and transportable, even within the 13-inch measurement, and its design was an actual delight.
The iPad Professional (M5) thought it greatest to maintain issues precisely how they had been, and that’s one thing I received’t fault on this case. There are two sizes once more – 11 inches and 13 inches – with the smaller mannequin fractionally thicker at 5.3mm. That’s nonetheless thinner than the iPhone Air, and similar to that telephone, get this pill in your hand and also you’ll actually recognize how beautiful it’s.
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At 444g on the 11-inch mannequin, it’s almost a 3rd of the load of a MacBook Air, whereas the 13-inch mannequin (and my assessment unit) is simply 580g – nonetheless just about half the load of Apple’s least expensive laptop computer.
The aluminium body is available in two boring but elegant color choices – Silver and Area Black – with the latter being my desire. All fashions have a small digicam housing on the rear, a Sensible Connector for attaching equipment and uniform bezels across the show.
Get this pill in your hand and also you’ll actually recognize how beautiful it’s
Display screen & Audio system
- 11- or 13-inch choices
- Tandem OLED, 120Hz refresh fee
- Apple Pencil Professional help
- Quad audio system
The show on the M5 iPad Professional can also be the identical because the M4 model. Once more, that is certainly not a foul factor.
Apple is constant with what it calls a Tandem OLED show, which successfully means two OLED panels on prime of one another to ship a brighter display total. Consequently, there’s a peak brightness of 1,600 nits on the iPad Professional (M5), which not solely makes it usable exterior on a sunny day but in addition ensures HDR photographs and movies look excellent.
Britta O’Boyle
Colors are beautiful and punchy, whites are extremely shiny, and also you get true blacks throughout darker scenes. Particulars in every little thing from the time stamp within the prime left nook to app icons and notification bubbles are crisp and sharp, whereas viewing angles are nice too.
In the meantime, the ProMotion show know-how means help for refresh charges as much as 120Hz, making certain a beautiful, easy scrolling expertise.
Colors are beautiful and punchy, whites are extremely shiny, and also you get true blacks throughout darker scenes
On the fashions with 1TB or 2TB of storage, you’ve gotten the choice so as to add a nano-texture coating. This provides a matt end to what’s in any other case a shiny show, which ought to cut back glare within the course of.
My assessment unit of the iPad Professional (M5) doesn’t have this end, however I’ve used and cherished it on the iPad Professional (M4). It’s glorious for reducing by way of reflections, so in the event you’re planning on utilizing this iPad exterior or in a room with shiny lights or giant home windows, I extremely advocate contemplating it. I don’t perceive why Apple didn’t make it an choice on fashions with much less storage.
Britta O’Boyle
There are two audio system positioned at both aspect of the iPad Professional (M5)’s show when held in a panorama orientation. The sound is first rate for a pill, and also you’ll haven’t any drawback watching a film or taking a video name. I’d all the time advocate connecting up a pair of headphones or AirPods in order for you the very best expertise, however the 4 audio system do a greater than sufficient job whenever you want them to.
Specs & Efficiency
- Apple M5 processor
- 256GB beginning storage
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread
Beneath the hood, the iPad Professional (M5) sees an improve in processor from the Apple M4 we noticed within the 2024 mannequin to the Apple M5, which you could have guessed from its title.
Constructed on a 3nm course of, the chip has a 10-core GPU with Neural Accelerators which might be claimed to ship 3.5 instances quicker AI efficiency than the M4 iPad Professional. There’s additionally a quicker 16-core Neural Engine, in accordance with Apple, stated to be useful for issues similar to summarising a web page of notes or isolating a background in a video.
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The CPU make-up of the M5 depends upon the storage mannequin you choose. On the upper storage 1TB and 2TB fashions, you get a 10-core CPU made up of 4 efficiency cores and 6 effectivity cores, whereas the 256GB and 512GB fashions have a nine-core CPU (three efficiency, six effectivity). My 1TB assessment pattern benefitted from the extra highly effective model, and highly effective it most undoubtedly is.
There was nothing I might do on my MacBook Professional that I couldn’t do on the M5 iPad Professional
There was nothing I might do on my MacBook Professional that I couldn’t do on the M5 iPad Professional – it made mild work of something I threw at it.
I spent hours modifying photographs, wrote 1000’s of phrases (together with this assessment), streamed hours of flicks and TV exhibits and had a beautiful time studying the information and casually searching the net. Multi-tasking is a breeze (particularly with iPadOS 26 – extra on that later), and switching between apps and duties is instantaneous with no signal of lag.
Britta O’Boyle
I discussed the storage choices already – 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB – with these greater capability fashions getting the extra highly effective chip and nano-texture show choice.
There’s no help for Micro-SD storage enlargement on any of them, although, so hold that in thoughts in the event you like a big library of offline movies or wish to sync a number of your iPhone photographs.
Elsewhere, there’s help for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and now Thread, due to a brand new wi-fi chip referred to as the N1. The latter ought to make it simpler to hook up with and management good house units, however it’s primarily about future-proofing fairly than the right here and now.
For the mobile fashions, there’s additionally a brand new mobile modem referred to as the C1X that’s claimed to deliver 50% quicker mobile knowledge efficiency. I can’t say I observed an enormous distinction between the iPad Professional (M5)’s connectivity and final yr’s iPad Professional (M4), however what is maybe extra essential is that I didn’t discover any connectivity points both, so Apple is clearly getting one thing proper.
Apple iPad Professional (M5) benchmarks
Cameras
- 12Mp rear, f/1.8
- 12Mp entrance, f/2.0
- Middle Stage tech on the entrance lens
In the case of pictures, I might by no means advocate utilizing a pill as your main system.
The smartphone in your pocket virtually definitely takes higher photographs, even when it prices a fraction of the value of the iPad Professional. Tablets are sometimes too large and cumbersome for capturing first rate, secure photographs – I cringe each time I see somebody utilizing one in public.
Nonetheless, the M5 iPad Professional’s single 12Mp rear sensor is best than many pill rivals, which means you’ll get a good degree of element and color accuracy with occasional snaps. It’s completely advantageous if it is advisable scan a doc or take a photograph of your little one’s homework to add to Google Classroom with no points.
It really works in tandem with the LiDAR scanner, which permits for AR experiences like viewing a chunk of furnishings in actual time in your front room, serving to you be sure to aren’t making a rash resolution. That every one runs easily too, so there’s little or no to complain about on this division.
Britta O’Boyle
You’ll most likely care in regards to the front-facing lens rather more, although, contemplating a pill’s recognition for the likes of video calls.
The entrance 12Mp digicam does a stable job, particularly with its pure positioning on the prime of the display when in panorama orientation. This lets you get extra individuals in body, but in addition makes it pure to make use of whereas the Magic Keyboard or Sensible Folio case (each bought individually) is connected.
The entrance 12Mp digicam does a stable job, particularly with its pure positioning on the prime of the display when in panorama
It’s not fairly as intelligent because the entrance digicam you’ll discover on the brand new iPhone fashions – it may well’t change between panorama and portrait selfies with out you rotating the entire system. Nonetheless, there’s Middle Stage know-how on board to maintain you within the body in the event you transfer round. This works effectively in the event you’re on a video name to a good friend and also you’re cooking and shifting round your kitchen on the identical time, for instance.
Britta O’Boyle
There’s additionally Face ID help within the iPad Professional, which makes utilizing this pill considerably extra handy than another iPads. A fast look is all it is advisable unlock it, authenticate funds and will let you signal into apps or view passwords.
Battery Life & Charging
- 10 hours
- 60W charging
- As much as 50 per cent in half-hour
Like standard, Apple doesn’t quote particular battery capacities for both measurement of M5 iPad Professional. Nonetheless, GSMArena suggests it’s an 8160mAh battery on the 11-inch mannequin and a ten,290mAh cell on the 13-inch model I’ve been testing.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter what iPad mannequin you purchase from Apple, all are claimed to supply 10 hours of battery life for video watching and 9 hours of searching the net. In my expertise, that’s just about spot on for all of them, too, assuming these are the issues you’re doing.
You’ll discover the battery drops faster in the event you connect the Magic Keyboard and begin typing repeatedly for a few hours – in that state of affairs, you’ll be able to anticipate round half that point. However in the event you’re checking emails, casually scrolling by way of social media, searching the net for an upcoming winter vacation or streaming content material, you’ll get a working day trip of the iPad Professional with out a problem.
Britta O’Boyle
That’s not even the very best information, although. The most important story right here is that the iPad Professional (M5) now helps quick charging, which is a primary for iPad.
Now, it’s not fairly as speedy because the likes of Oppo or OnePlus, each of which help 67W on their respective Android tablets, however the iPad Professional (M5) is claimed to supply as much as 50 per cent battery in round half-hour with a 60W charger. I acquired 43 per cent in half-hour with a 96W charger and 50 per cent in 35 minutes, whereas it took 1 hour and 45 minutes to achieve 100 per cent. That’s a major enchancment on what you’ll get on the M3 iPad Air.
If you happen to’re checking emails, casually scrolling by way of social media, searching the net for an upcoming winter vacation or streaming content material, you’ll get a working day trip of the iPad Professional with out a problem
It’s value remembering that the iPad Professional (M5) doesn’t include a charger within the field, nevertheless, so whereas the help for quick charging is now there, you’ll need to supply your personal charger to reap the benefits of it.
Software program & Apps
- iPadOS 26
- Apple Intelligence
- Higher multitasking with new windowing view
The iPad Professional (M5) runs on Apple’s newest software program for iPad, which known as iPadOS 26. It takes over from iPadOS 18, and it’s arguably the most important and most essential replace for iPad since Apple’s pill moved onto its personal software program and separated itself from iOS.
The rationale I say that’s the help for windowing. Throughout setup, you’ll be able to select between the standard format of iPad, which is the place you sometimes use one app at a time, or two in the event you’re utilizing the Break up Display screen performance, or you’ll be able to decide the windowing choice.
The windowing setting permits the iPad Professional (M5) to run extra like a Mac, with the choice to rearrange a number of apps and home windows on the display, overlay them on prime of one another and resize them nevertheless you want.
Britta O’Boyle
There’s additionally a menu bar like Mac on the prime of every app whenever you swipe down from the highest, with the identical site visitors mild system for closing an app, minimising it or increasing it. Urgent and holding the inexperienced icon additionally permits you to snap apps right into a grid format like Mac, with as much as 4 apps getting used directly. Actually, the general expertise is considerably higher for multitasking than it’s ever been.
The general expertise is considerably higher for multitasking than it’s ever been
Elsewhere, the brand new software program brings a brand new design referred to as Liquid Glass, which is designed to imitate layers of glass through translucent menus and app icons with controls overlaid on prime of the content material in your display, permitting you to see extra of what’s beneath. It’s somewhat tougher to learn than the earlier model of iPad’s software program was, however the design itself is good.
Britta O’Boyle
The Telephone app involves iPad for the primary time with iOS 26 too, so all of your latest calls, contacts and voicemails will seem right here you probably have an iPhone signed into the identical Apple ID, whereas there’s additionally a Preview app for viewing and modifying PDFs and a Video games app for a smoother gaming expertise.
There’s help for Apple Intelligence right here too, as you’d anticipate, and whereas there are a selection of options but to be absolutely realised, like a extra contextualised and personalised Siri, there are some helpful ones already there. I’m a specific fan of Clear Up, which affords a straightforward option to take away objects, individuals or different distractions from photographs.
Britta O’Boyle
The one factor the iPad continues to lack, nevertheless, is help for a number of person profiles. It borrows lots from Mac this time round, however having the ability to have a visitor person or a number of profiles continues to be not one thing that has carried throughout. It’s a disgrace as a result of whenever you pay £1,000/$1,000 or extra for a pill, it ought to be simpler to modify between a number of individuals in a family if you wish to use it as a household pill.
Nonetheless, software program help is great, and whereas Apple doesn’t specify precisely what number of years it is going to give the iPad Professional (M5) updates for, it’s often round seven years. That might imply this pill ought to get new options and safety patches till not less than 2030.
Worth & Availability
The iPad Professional (M5) begins at £999/$999, which is for the 11-inch mannequin with 256GB of storage and Wi-Fi connectivity. The 13-inch mannequin with the identical storage and connectivity prices £1,299/$1,299. Each will be upgraded to incorporate 5G connectivity, in addition to to storage choices of 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
The highest-of-the-range iPad Professional (M5) with 2TB of storage, Wi-Fi and Mobile, and the Nano-texture show prices £2,299/$2,299 for the 11-inch mannequin and £2,599/$2,599 for the 13-inch mannequin. Including equipment will set you again £129/$129 for the Apple Pencil Professional and from £299/$299 for the Magic Keyboard.
You should purchase one instantly from Apple UK and Apple US, plus through retailers together with Amazon UK and Amazon US.
On the Android aspect, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely (from £1,199/$1,199) is the plain different, however there are many different choices in our information to the very best tablets you should buy.
Britta O’Boyle
Ought to I purchase the Apple iPad Professional (M5)?
Apple’s M5 iPad Professional is an distinctive pill. It affords efficiency on par with a laptop computer, a shocking show, a brilliant slim and light-weight design and stable battery life. The person interface has additionally seen large multitasking enhancements due to iPadOS 26, whereas the quick charging capabilities make an enormous distinction when it comes to usability.
There’s nonetheless no help for a number of person profiles, equipment value further, and there’s no getting away from the eye-watering worth, irrespective of how a lot pill you get for that cash. However none of these are the iPad Professional’s greatest drawback.
As an alternative, it’s the remainder of the iPad lineup that’s the difficulty, as a result of virtually all of them shall be greater than ample for many in terms of efficiency, and so they all have the identical person expertise.
Nonetheless, in the event you’re after the very best at school pill, the Apple iPad Professional (M5) is presently it. It’s an excellent pill that may serve you for years to come back, and it’s an actual pleasure to make use of.
Specs
- iPadOS 26
- 11in or 13in Tandem OLED show
- 11in: 2420 x 1668 (264ppi) / 13in: 2752 x 2064 (264ppi)
- 4-speaker audio
- Face ID
- 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB storage
- Apple M5
- 5G mobile (non-obligatory)
- eSIM
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 6
- Thread
- 12Mp Panorama front-facing digicam with Middle Stage
- 12Mp rear digicam with LiDAR sensor
- USB-C port
- 31.29Wh battery (11in) / 38.99Wh battery (13in)
- Accessible in Area Black and Silver
- 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3mm (11in) / 281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1mm (13in)
- 444g (11in, Wi-Fi) / 579g (13in, Wi-Fi)
