Ambitious Tablet Redesign
The iPad Pro with M5 is powerful, flexible, and designed to handle everything.
The 2025 iPad Pro with the M5 chip feels like Apple has redefined what the iPad is meant to be. From blistering AI performance to an impossibly slim chassis, this is the closest the iPad has ever come to being a true hybrid of tablet, laptop, and full creative workstation.
The 13-inch model measures just 5.1 mm, yet remains solid, balanced, and reassuringly premium. The Ultra Retina XDR display is on an entirely different level. Thanks to its dual-layer OLED structure, it delivers real depth in shadows, intense HDR peaks up to 1600 nits, and the most accurate colour reproduction I’ve seen on a tablet. Everything moves at a silky 120Hz, and the optional nano-texture finish cuts glare dramatically. Editing outdoors or sketching under studio lights feels almost effortless now.
Apple has pushed the hardware further than expected. The 256GB and 512GB configurations now include 12GB of unified memory—about 50 per cent more than before—while the 1TB and 2TB models step up to 16GB. Memory bandwidth climbs to 153GB/s, and storage speeds have effectively doubled.
The M5’s 10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine translate into real-world gains. Multitasking is snappier, complex workflows load faster, and pro apps behave far closer to their macOS versions. Battery life still makes it through a typical workday without stress.
I tested Infinity Nikki via the Apple Games app, and performance was impressive. High frame rates, stable rendering, and fluid motion—especially with the help of the 120Hz Adaptive Sync panel and MetalFX Frame Interpolation—made the gaming experience surprisingly console-like.
iPadOS 26 brings one of the biggest user-interface changes in years. The new windowing system finally lets me resize and layer apps however I want, and the persistent menu bar makes navigation much more efficient.
The updated Files app introduces a far clearer list view, custom folders, and a desktop-like sense of control. Apple Intelligence shows up in meaningful wa, ys too. Writing Tools, Image Playground, and system-wide smart suggestions strip away the busywork. For the first time, it feels like the iPad adapts to my workflow instead of forcing me into its own.
Goodnotes remains the app I rely on most. With its new AI features—like handwriting correction, visual generation from simple doodles, and shared workspaces—note-taking becomes a more fluid, creative process. I love sketching rough ideas during brainstorming sessions and watching the app tidy my chaotic scribbles into clear layouts.
The camera system makes the iPad Pro a flexible content device. The 12MP Wide rear camera with Smart HDR 4 produces natural colours and shoots crisp 4K60 video. The front-facing 12MP Centre Stage camera sits in landscape orientation and automatically tracks you on calls, widening the frame when others step in. And because Face ID works in any orientation, unlocking the device or authorising purchases is both fast and seamless.
Pairing it with the new Magic Keyboard completes the setup. The function row and larger haptic trackpad make the iPad Pro feel more like a MacBook than ever before, without losing the versatility that defines the iPad. USB4 support means faster transfers, smoother external display performance, and reliable high-speed SSD workflows. Fast charging is supported too—50 per cent in roughly 30 minutes with a 60W adapter.
We say: With desktop-class performance, a stunning OLED display, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and deep Apple Intelligence integration, it transforms from creative canvas to productivity workstation effortlessly.
Rating: 4.5/5
From S$1,499
www.apple.com
Technical Specifications
Chip Apple M5 with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and 16-core Neural Engine; 153GB/s memory bandwidth; Models 256/512GB: 9-core CPU (3P+6E), 10-core GPU, 12GB RAM; Models 1TB/2TB: 10-core CPU (4P+6E), 10-core GPU, 16GB RAM
Display (11-inch) Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED, 2420×1668 at 264 ppi; ProMotion 10–120Hz; P3 colour, True Tone, anti-reflective, fully laminated; nano-texture option (1TB/2TB); SDR 1000 nits, XDR 1000 nits fullscreen / 1600 nits peak (HDR)
Size & Weight (11-inch) 249.7 × 177.5 × 5.3 mm; 444 g (Wi-Fi), 446 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular).
Cameras (rear) 12MP Wide (f/1.8), up to 5× digital zoom, Adaptive True Tone flash, ProRes up to 4K/30fps (1080p/30 on 256GB model), 1080p slo-mo up to 240fps; AV1 decode in media engine.
Front camera Landscape 12MP TrueDepth with Center Stage (f/2.0), 1080p up to 60fps, Portrait mode/Lighting, Smart HDR 4
Wireless (all models) Apple N1 wireless with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, 2×2 MIMO), Bluetooth 6, Thread
Cellular (Wi-Fi + Cellular models) Apple C1X modem; 5G sub-6 (4×4 MIMO), Gigabit LTE; eSIM only
Ports/Expansion Thunderbolt / USB 4 (up to 40Gbps), USB 3 up to 10Gbps; DisplayPort over USB-C; external display up to 6K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz
Battery 11-inch: 31.29Wh; 13-inch: 38.99Wh, Up to 10 hours web/video on Wi-Fi (9 hours on cellular); fast charge ~50% in ~30 minutes with 40W Dynamic Power Adapter (60W+ USB-C capable)
OS Ships with iPadOS 26 and Apple Intelligence features
