Apple introduces M5 chip across new iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro
Apple has introduced its latest M5 chip, powering a new generation of devices — the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro. The announcement marks another leap in Apple’s silicon roadmap, promising faster performance and enhanced AI capabilities.
Preorders are now live, and the new lineup will begin shipping on October 22.
M5 chip brings major performance gains
Apple’s M5 chip delivers over four times the peak GPU performance of the M4, making it one of the most powerful chips Apple has ever built. Johny Srouji, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, said the chip “ushers in the next big leap in AI performance for Apple silicon.”
The new chip enhances multitasking and AI-driven features across all three devices. With improved efficiency, users can expect better battery life and smoother performance across creative and productivity apps.
iPad Pro gets faster and smarter
The new iPad Pro takes a big step forward with the M5 chip. Apple claims it offers up to 3.5x the AI performance of last year’s model and up to 5.6x faster performance than the iPad Pro with M1.
The tablet now features Apple’s C1X cellular modem, which provides up to 50% faster mobile data speeds, and a new N1 connectivity chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread. It also supports faster storage read/write speeds and rapid charging — reaching 50% in just 30 minutes.
Running on iPadOS 26, the iPad Pro now supports more intuitive multitasking with window displays, a new Preview app, and easier folder organization.
Pricing starts at $999 for the 11-inch version and $1,299 for the 13-inch, available in black and silver.
MacBook Pro gets an M5 boost
The MacBook Pro lineup also joins the M5 generation with improved graphics and power efficiency. The new model delivers up to 1.6 times better graphics performance and features a memory bandwidth of 153Gbps, up from 120Gbps on the M4.
Storage performance has also been optimized for faster file transfers. Despite the performance gains, Apple says the new MacBook Pro offers an impressive battery life of up to 24 hours.
Available in space black and silver, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro starts at $1,599.
Vision Pro gets a performance refresh
Apple’s Vision Pro headset is also stepping up to the M5 chip, replacing the M2. The upgrade improves display rendering by 10%, enables 120Hz refresh rates, and speeds up AI-powered features by up to 50%.
Battery life has been extended by 30 minutes, now offering up to 2.5 hours of general use and three hours of video playback.
The refreshed Vision Pro also introduces a Dual Knit Band for added comfort, available in small, medium, and large sizes. The headset continues to retail at $3,499.
A shift in Apple’s long-term vision
The Vision Pro upgrade follows reports that Apple is focusing its future efforts on developing smart glasses, signaling a gradual evolution from bulky headsets to lightweight wearables.
The M5 chip rollout reflects Apple’s continued investment in integrating AI across its devices, aiming to deliver faster, more efficient, and more connected experiences for users.
