From Digital Camera World · · 2m
Apple iPad Pro M5 review: hands down, the best tablet in the world right now
Apple's iPad Pro M5 delivers unmatched creative performance for photographers and videographers.
In brief
Apple's iPad Pro M5 delivers unmatched creative performance for photographers and videographers. The iPad Pro M5 with its M5 chip offers the best tablet performance for creative professionals at a premium price. Originally reported by Digital Camera World.
Apple iPad Pro M5 review
Digital Camera World rates the iPad Pro M5 as the best tablet for photographers and videographers.
“The iPad Pro M5 is everything that a photographer or videographer could ever want from a tablet.”
Key features
The iPad Pro M5 features a 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with 2,732 x 2,048 px resolution and 1,600 nits brightness.
“The 2,732 x 2,048 px resolution means images pop with detail and clarity.”
Performance specs
The M5 chip delivers 3,606 single-core and 16,841 multi-core CPU benchmarks with 72,057 GPU scores.
“Beginning with Geekbench 7 CPU tests, the iPad Pro M5 scored 3,606 and 16,841 in single-core and multi-core tests.”
Price and availability
The 13-inch model starts at $1,499 for 256GB storage and goes up to $2,699 for 2TB storage with nano-textured glass.
“The 13-inch model of the iPad Pro ranges from $1,499 / £1,499 for 256GB storage and standard glass all the way up to $2,699 / £2,699 if you choose 2TB storage and nano-textured glass.”
Design
The iPad Pro M5 is thin, lightweight, and has a sleek aluminum chassis with 1.28 pounds weight.
“The iPad Pro M5 is thin, lightweight, and compact, measuring 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 inches and weighing 1.28 pounds.”
Camera system
The rear camera features a 12MP wide camera capable of 4K video with ProRes codec and a 12MP Center Stage camera.
“The rear camera is backed up by a landscape 12MP Center Stage camera located centrally on the front.”
Creative performance
The iPad Pro M5 handles Adobe Lightroom and DaVinci Resolve editing smoothly without lag.
“When using Adobe Lightroom for the iPad, I was able to perform a whole host of color corrections and edits to a library of photos with no hang-ups.”
Price comparison
The iPad Pro M5 costs $200 more than the M4 model, with prices starting at $1,199 for the 11-inch version.
“Compared to the 13-inch iPad Pro M4 (2024), Apple has increased all prices by $200 / £200.”
Alternatives
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra offers a larger screen and S Pen but is more affordable than the iPad Pro M5.
“The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is worthy of consideration. We love its oversized screen, new S Pen, desktop-like software, and extended display support.”
Verdict
The iPad Pro M5 is the best tablet for creative professionals despite its high price and limited ports.
“The iPad Pro M5 is the best tablet for creative professionals who can afford the financial outlay.”
Why it matters
The M5 chip provides superior performance for photo and video editing, making the iPad Pro M5 a top choice for creatives.
“The M5 chip offers the best performance for creative workflows, including photo and video editing.”
Limitations
The iPad Pro M5 has only one USB-C port and a single rear camera, which may limit connectivity.
“The iPad Pro M5 is limited to just one USB-C port. Through this you can charge the tablet, pair with and charge an Apple Pencil, and finally connect to other peripherals such as headphones.”
Future outlook
The M5 chip will remain powerful for creative work for years, even with potential M6 releases.
“Despite the potential imminent release of the M6 version, the M5 chip will be more than powerful enough for most people for a long time to come.”
Final rating
The iPad Pro M5 earns a 4.5-star rating for its performance, design, and value despite its high cost.
“The iPad Pro M5 earns a 4.5-star rating for its performance, design, and value despite its high cost.”
Who it's for
The iPad Pro M5 is ideal for photographers and videographers who need powerful editing tools on the go.
“The iPad Pro M5 is ideal for serious creative professionals who can afford the financial outlay.”
In short
The iPad Pro M5 with its M5 chip offers the best tablet performance for creative professionals at a premium price.
