While the rest of the world was waiting for the M5 iPad Pro earlier this month, I decided to buy an M4 iPad Pro just days before Apple dropped its big M5 announcement. Yes, I knew the M5 iPad Pro was imminent. But the deal I got on the previous generation model was compelling enough for me not to hesitate.
When the M5 model arrived last week, I was still within my return window. But after digging into what’s new on the new iPad Pro, I’ve concluded that going for the M5 isn’t the no-brainer it seems. In fact, I’m here to argue that buying the M4 version now might be the smarter move if you want to save some money. And if you already have an M4 iPad Pro, don’t worry about buying a new one.
For context, I replaced an M2 iPad Pro with 128GB of storage, which was more than enough for what I do with my iPad (usually watching videos, surfing the web, and writing articles). I wasn’t exactly considering an upgrade, but I couldn’t pass up a good opportunity to upgrade.
I found a good deal on the entry-level M4 iPad Pro with 256GB of storage, so I sold my old iPad and bought the M4 for a small price difference. I could have waited a few more weeks to buy the new M5 iPad Pro, but would that have made a huge difference? Not really – and here’s why.
The M4 iPad Pro is very fast for all kinds of tasks, including advanced gaming.
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Same design, same screen, same iPad experience
Design-wise, if you compare both models side-by-side, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any differences. Apart from the fact that the M5 version no longer has “iPad Pro” written on the back, the M5 iPad Pro has retained the same ultra-slim design that was introduced with last year’s M4 model.
Both versions have exactly the same dimensions, weight and thickness. But those aren’t the only things they have in common.
The M4 iPad Pro was the first to include a Tandem OLED display that reaches a maximum brightness of up to 1600 nits when displaying HDR content. It’s an incredible screen and I love it. Guess what? The M5 iPad Pro has the same panel as last year’s model.
The cameras on the iPad Pro M4 and M5 are also the same. You get a 12 MP wide-angle lens on the back and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera with Center Stage on the front, no matter which iPad you choose. There was a rumor that the M5 version got two front cameras for a better experience in different orientations, but it seems that Apple has scrapped that idea.
The M4 iPad has the same design as the M5, so it works with the same accessories.
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Since the design is the same, Apple has also not updated any of its accessories for the new M5 iPad Pro. This means you can get the same experience with an M4 iPad Pro by pairing it with the same Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro.
In fact, the Magic Keyboard was one of the reasons I considered upgrading from the older M2 iPad Pro. The improved angle adjustment, the more premium aluminum finish and the function keys really make a difference. And I didn’t have to buy this year’s model to get all that.
What else is the same? Well, the same 10 hours of battery life, the same four built-in speakers (which are also pretty good), and the same USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support.
What’s actually new with the M5 iPad Pro
Okay, so there must be something new in this year’s iPad Pro, right?
The first and most obvious change is the chip. This year’s iPad Pro is one of the first Apple products to receive the M5 chip, and it comes with some exciting improvements. Apple says the new GPU offers up to 45 percent more performance compared to the M4, while the M5 also has an improved Neural Engine to handle AI-based tasks.
The M5 iPad Pro is definitely faster than the M4 model, but most users won’t notice the difference.
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Based on our tests on the MacBook Pro, the M5 really is a massive boost on the graphics side. When it comes to the CPU, the M5 chip is only about 15 percent faster than the M4.
To be honest, my M2 iPad Pro already felt fast enough for pretty much everything, from basic tasks to the occasional game. The M4 chip has made everything even smarter. I doubt most users would notice the performance difference between the M4 and M5 chips in their day-to-day use.
Another difference between the M4 and M5 iPad Pro is that this year’s models start with 12GB of RAM and go up to 16GB of RAM in the 1TB and 2TB storage versions. Previously, the 256GB and 512GB models only had 8GB of RAM.
These improvements will definitely make a difference if you plan to play AAA games or run local AI models on your iPad. But other than that, there aren’t many iPadOS apps that take advantage of such hardware. The M4 iPad Pro is still capable of handling everything without a struggle.
Apple has also improved connectivity for the new iPad Pro. This year’s models come with the Apple-designed N1 chip introduced with the iPhone 17 models. The chip enables Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, while last year’s iPad still runs on Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Wi-Fi 7 is certainly a big step up from Wi-Fi 6E, which offers much higher theoretical speeds. But if you don’t have a Wi-Fi 7 setup in your home (which is my case), it won’t make a difference right now. Also, there aren’t many Bluetooth 6-compatible accessories on the market yet.
Those who opt for the cellular version of the M5 iPad Pro may notice a major upgrade, as Apple has put its own 5G modem (called the C1X) in it. Again, we still have to wait for real-world testing, but Apple says the new modem supports speeds up to 50 percent faster on 5G, and it also uses less power.
Another minor difference is support for external displays with a refresh rate of 120Hz. I currently have a Studio Display which is limited to 60Hz, so that’s another thing I don’t have to worry about right now. Oh, and the new M5 iPad Pro supports fast charging to 50 percent in just 30 minutes, but it’s not like the charging speed of the M4 version bothers me.
The M4 iPad Pro’s screen is identical to the M5 model.
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Why I stick with the M4
As I use my M4 iPad Pro, I don’t feel the need for more performance than it already offers. That alone makes me feel more comfortable not being tempted by the M5 model. And since both models have the same design and accessories, I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
If you plan to use your iPad to run heavy generative AI workloads, constant 3D rendering, or play console-level games like Resident Evil 4, the new M5 iPad Pro may be the best option for you.
Otherwise, if you already have an M4 iPad Pro or want to buy a new iPad without spending too much money, last year’s model is still a very solid option and enough for most people. I recommend looking for deals on Amazon or even buying a refurbished model.
Having the latest technologies is certainly tempting, but it’s worth considering whether you really need the latest and greatest devices.