Apple has unveiled its most powerful tablet yet — the new iPad Pro, driven by the company’s latest M5 chip. The company is pitching the new model as a serious AI-first device for professionals, creators, and on-the-go users who need workstation-class power in a form factor that’s perfect for those always on the move.
The M5 marks a pivotal point in Apple’s silicon strategy. Built on a third-generation 3-nanometre process, it features a redesigned 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator embedded in every core. The result, Apple claims, is up to 3.5 times faster AI performance than the M4, and up to 5.6 times faster than the M1 iPad Pro. The Neural Engine — now 16 cores strong — handles AI tasks with greater energy efficiency, crucial for sustained on-device processing.
In practice, this means professional apps such as DaVinci Resolve and Draw Things can perform video masking or generate AI-driven imagery in real time without leaning on cloud compute. It’s also a sign of Apple’s broader strategy to keep its new Apple Intelligence framework private and on-device.
The new iPad Pro with M5 unlocks the most advanced iPad experience ever, packing an incredible amount of power and AI performance into the ultraportable design. Picture: Apple
Performance metrics underscore Apple’s hardware confidence. The company says 3D rendering in Octane X is 6.7 times faster than on the M1, and video transcoding in Final Cut Pro is six times faster. Such figures indicate Apple’s ambition to turn the iPad Pro into a credible desktop alternative, especially when paired with iPadOS 26’s new multitasking system and external display support up to 120 Hz with Adaptive Sync.
Despite this power, Apple has shaved the chassis to just 5.1 mm on the 13-inch model. Both the 11-inch and 13-inch variants feature the new Ultra Retina XDR display — a tandem OLED panel capable of 1,000 nits sustained brightness and 1,600 nits HDR peak — with an optional nano-texture glass finish for professionals who work under challenging lighting.
Beyond M5, Apple has quietly introduced two new connectivity chips. The N1 enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, while the C1X modem brings up to 50 percent faster cellular speeds with lower power draw. Together, they suggest Apple is deepening its custom silicon ecosystem across networking and cellular layers — a precursor, perhaps, to a future without third-party modems.
The new iPad Pro incorporates a third-generation ray-tracing engine for superfast 3D rendering in apps like Octane X. Picture: Apple
iPadOS 26 brings a redesigned interface using “Liquid Glass” effects and a new windowing system that finally brings Mac-like multitasking to iPad. The OS introduces a standalone Preview app for PDFs, default app controls, and smarter file management, signalling a steady blurring of lines between tablet and laptop.
Accompanying accessories include the upgraded Magic Keyboard, the Apple Pencil Pro with haptic feedback, and the Smart Folio — all designed to complement the iPad Pro’s leaner form.
Apple says the new iPad Pro is made from 30 per cent recycled materials, including 100 per cent recycled aluminium and cobalt, aligning with its 2030 carbon-neutral goals.
Pre-orders are open now, with retail availability from October 22.
The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro with M5 will be available in silver and space black finishes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations. The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at Rs 99,990 for the Wi-Fi model, and Rs 119,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Pro starts at Rs 129,900 for the Wi-Fi model, and Rs 149,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.