Apple iPad Pro 11-inch M5 Review: The Ultimate Compact iPad?
The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch with M5 is Apple’s premium compact tablet, combining an M5 processor, 12GB unified memory, 256GB storage, tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display, Wi-Fi 7, Face ID and LiDAR Scanner.
It is built for creators, professionals and power users who want Mac-class performance in a tablet weighing only 444 grams.
iPad Pro M5 11-inch Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 |
| CPU | 9-Core |
| GPU | 10-Core |
| Neural Engine | 16-Core |
| RAM | 12GB Unified Memory |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Display | 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR |
| Panel | Tandem OLED |
| Resolution | 2420 × 1668 |
| Refresh Rate | 10–120Hz ProMotion |
| SDR Brightness | Up to 1,000 Nits |
| HDR Peak | Up to 1,600 Nits |
| Rear Camera | 12MP Wide |
| Front Camera | 12MP Center Stage |
| LiDAR | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 |
| Security | Face ID |
| Port | Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
| Battery | 31.29Wh |
| Rated Battery | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 444g |
The 256GB and 512GB versions use a 9-core CPU, 10-core GPU and 12GB unified memory, while 1TB and 2TB versions increase to a 10-core CPU and 16GB RAM.
M5 Performance
The M5 is the main reason to choose this iPad Pro.
It features a next-generation 10-core GPU architecture with a Neural Accelerator in every GPU core, hardware-accelerated ray tracing and a 16-core Neural Engine. The 256GB version includes a 9-core CPU.
Apple claims up to:
- 3.5× faster AI performance than M4 in selected workloads
- 1.5× faster ray-traced 3D rendering than M4
- 1.2× faster Final Cut Pro video transcoding than M4
- 2× faster AI image generation in selected apps
These figures are Apple’s workload-specific tests rather than universal performance gains.
For everyday tasks, the M5 is massive overkill. For video editing, 3D work, AI workloads and demanding creative apps, however, the extra performance can be useful.
12GB Unified Memory
The 256GB iPad Pro now comes with 12GB unified memory.
Apple says this is 50% more starting memory than the previous generation, while memory bandwidth rises to 153GB/s.
That gives the tablet plenty of room for:
- Heavy multitasking
- Video editing
- AI models
- Large creative projects
- Professional apps
- High-end gaming
Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED
The display is one of the biggest reasons to buy the Pro.
The 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR screen uses tandem OLED technology with:
2420 × 1668 resolution
264 PPI
10–120Hz ProMotion
P3 wide color
True Tone
2,000,000:1 contrast
120Hz ProMotion
Unlike the iPad Air, the Pro supports adaptive 10Hz to 120Hz ProMotion.
That makes:
- Scrolling smoother
- Apple Pencil feel more responsive
- Animations smoother
- Games more fluid
- UI navigation noticeably faster
This is one of the clearest advantages of the Pro over the iPad Air.
Extreme Brightness
The display reaches up to:
1,000 nits full-screen SDR
1,000 nits full-screen HDR
1,600 nits peak HDR
That makes it excellent for HDR video, photo editing and outdoor use.
Apple Intelligence
The M5 iPad Pro fully supports Apple Intelligence.
Its combination of Neural Engine, GPU Neural Accelerators and 12GB RAM also makes it particularly well suited to on-device AI workloads.
Wi-Fi 7 and Apple N1
The M5 generation introduces Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip.
It provides:
Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth 6
Thread
Apple says N1 also improves reliability for features such as AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.
Thunderbolt / USB 4
The USB-C port supports:
Thunderbolt 3 up to 40Gb/s
USB 4 up to 40Gb/s
DisplayPort
USB 3 up to 10Gb/s
This makes the Pro much better suited to fast external SSDs, docks and professional accessories than the regular iPad.
External Display Support
The M5 model can drive:
- Up to 6K at 60Hz
- Or up to 5K at 120Hz
It also adds Adaptive Sync support on compatible external displays.
12MP Rear Camera
The rear camera uses a 12MP Wide sensor with f/1.8 aperture.
It supports:
- 4K video up to 60fps
- Smart HDR 4
- Autofocus
- 5x digital zoom
- ProRes recording
On the 256GB model, ProRes recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps internally.
LiDAR Scanner
The iPad Pro includes a LiDAR Scanner.
It can help with:
- AR applications
- Room scanning
- 3D measurement
- Spatial mapping
- Faster depth sensing
Apple lists LiDAR alongside Face ID and the other built-in sensors.
12MP Center Stage Camera
The front camera is a landscape-oriented 12MP Center Stage TrueDepth camera.
It supports:
- Center Stage
- Portrait mode
- Face ID
- 1080p video
- Animoji and Memoji
Face ID
Unlike the iPad Air and standard iPad, the Pro uses Face ID.
The TrueDepth system can authenticate:
- Device unlock
- App access
- Purchases
- Apple Pay
Apple Pencil Pro
The display supports:
Apple Pencil Pro
Apple Pencil USB-C
Apple Pencil Hover
For artists, designers and note-takers, the 120Hz OLED display makes Pencil use especially responsive.
Magic Keyboard
The M5 iPad Pro also supports Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.
Combined with iPadOS multitasking and external-display support, it can work as a lightweight laptop alternative for many workflows.
Battery Life
The 11-inch model contains a 31.29Wh battery.
Apple rates it for up to:
10 Hours
of web browsing over Wi-Fi or video playback.
It also supports fast charging, reaching around 50% in approximately 30 minutes with a compatible 60W-or-higher USB-C power adapter.
Thin and Lightweight
Despite its performance, the 11-inch model is only:
5.3mm thick
444g
That makes it lighter than many laptops while offering considerably more processing power than most tablets.
Gaming
The M5’s 10-core GPU and third-generation ray-tracing engine make the iPad Pro extremely capable for mobile gaming.
Apple reports up to 1.5× faster ray-traced rendering than the M4 generation in its selected test.
The 120Hz OLED display is also a much better match for gaming than the 60Hz screen on iPad Air.
iPad Pro M5 vs iPad Air M4
| Feature | iPad Pro M5 | iPad Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | M5 | M4 |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB |
| Display | Tandem OLED | IPS LCD |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| HDR Peak | 1600 Nits | Much Lower |
| Face ID | Yes | No |
| LiDAR | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| USB | Thunderbolt 40Gb/s | USB 3 |
| External Display | Up to 5K/120Hz | Up to 6K/60Hz |
| Apple Pencil Pro | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
The iPad Air M4 gives most users more performance than they need.
The iPad Pro’s main advantages are the OLED 120Hz display, Thunderbolt, Face ID, LiDAR and additional professional performance.
Pros
✓ Extremely powerful M5 chip
✓ 12GB RAM on the 256GB model
✓ Stunning tandem OLED display
✓ 120Hz ProMotion
✓ 1600-nit HDR peak brightness
✓ Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
✓ Thunderbolt / USB 4
✓ Face ID
✓ LiDAR Scanner
✓ Apple Pencil Pro support
✓ Excellent speakers
✓ Very thin and light
Cons
✗ Very expensive
✗ M5 performance is unnecessary for most users
✗ 256GB may be limited for professional video work
✗ Magic Keyboard and Pencil sold separately
✗ iPadOS can still limit some desktop-class workflows
✗ Nano-texture display option requires 1TB or 2TB model
Apple iPad Pro M5 Rating
Performance: 10/10
Display: 10/10
Battery: 9.3/10
Connectivity: 10/10
Cameras: 9.2/10
Productivity: 9.7/10
Portability: 9.8/10
Value: 8.6/10
Overall: 9.6/10
Verdict
The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch M5 is one of the most powerful and advanced tablets available.
Its biggest strengths are the M5 processor, 12GB unified memory, 120Hz tandem OLED display, Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt, Face ID and LiDAR Scanner.
The main issue is value. For browsing, Netflix, school and basic productivity, the cheaper iPad Air is already more than powerful enough.
For professional creative work, high-end gaming, OLED display quality and users who want Apple’s most capable compact iPad, however, the 11-inch M5 iPad Pro is an exceptional premium tablet.
