Apple has officially launched its most powerful and ambitious tablet to date, the Apple iPad Pro M5, in India, setting a new benchmark for performance, display technology, and artificial intelligence capabilities in a portable form factor. The new lineup, unveiled via a press release on October 15, is available for pre-order now and will hit retail shelves on October 22, with prices starting from ₹99,900.
The new iPad Pro, powered by the formidable M5 chip, represents a significant leap forward, particularly for creative professionals, developers, and power users. With a dramatically faster CPU and a next-generation GPU architecture optimized for AI, Apple is positioning the new iPad Pro not just as a tablet, but as a primary device for intensive tasks ranging from 8K video editing to complex 3D rendering and on-device machine learning.
Key Facts & Quick Takes
- Pricing & Availability: Pre-orders for the iPad Pro M5 began on October 15, 2025, on the Apple India Store. In-store availability starts on October 22, 2025. The 11-inch model starts at ₹99,900, while the 13-inch model starts at ₹1,29,900.
- The M5 Chip: At the heart of the new iPad Pro is the M5 chip, built on third-generation 3-nanometer technology. Apple claims it delivers up to 3.5 times faster AI performance compared to the M4 chip and a staggering 5.6 times faster than the M1.
- Ultra Retina XDR Display: Both the 11-inch and 13-inch models feature a new Ultra Retina XDR display with groundbreaking tandem OLED technology, offering 1000 nits of full-screen brightness and 1600 nits peak HDR brightness.
- Thinnest Apple Product Ever: The new iPad Pro is remarkably thin and light. The 11-inch model is just 5.3mm thin, and the 13-inch model is an even slimmer 5.1mm.
- Enhanced Connectivity: For the first time, the iPad Pro includes an Apple-designed N1 wireless networking chip, enabling Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Cellular models feature the new C1X modem for faster and more efficient 5G connectivity.
- Accessory Ecosystem: The new iPad Pro is compatible with the new Apple Pencil Pro (₹11,900) and a redesigned, thinner Magic Keyboard (starting at ₹29,900).
The M5 Revolution: AI and Graphics at the Core
The headline feature of the 2025 iPad Pro is undoubtedly the new M5 chip. Unveiled alongside the tablet, this new piece of Apple silicon is engineered with a heavy focus on artificial intelligence and graphics performance.
“With the introduction of Neural Accelerators in the GPU, M5 delivers a huge boost to AI workloads,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies, in a statement. “Combined with a big increase in graphics performance, the world’s fastest CPU core, a faster Neural Engine, and even higher unified memory bandwidth, M5 brings far more performance and capabilities to… iPad Pro.”
Latest Data & Performance Statistics
- AI Performance Leap: Apple claims the M5’s 16-core Neural Engine and new GPU architecture deliver AI performance that is up to 3.5x faster than the already powerful M4 chip. Compared to the widely-used M1 chip, the performance jump is up to 5.6x. This enhancement is designed to accelerate on-device AI tasks, such as running large language models or using diffusion-based image generation in apps like Draw Things.
- Pro Rendering and Graphics: For creative professionals, the M5’s 10-core GPU, which features a third-generation ray-tracing engine, offers a significant boost. Apple states it provides up to 1.5x faster 3D rendering with ray tracing compared to the previous-generation iPad Pro. The performance uplift is even more dramatic when compared to older models, with up to 6.7x faster rendering in applications like Octane X than the M1-powered iPad Pro.
- Increased Memory Bandwidth and Faster Storage: Supporting the new chip, the iPad Pro M5 features over 150GB/s of unified memory bandwidth, a nearly 30% increase. Additionally, storage read and write speeds are now up to twice as fast on certain configurations, which will significantly reduce loading times for large projects and files.
A Display That Dazzles and a Design That Disappears
The visual experience on the new iPad Pro is powered by the Ultra Retina XDR display. By using two OLED panels in tandem, the display can achieve phenomenal brightness and contrast. It supports 1000 nits of full-screen brightness for both SDR and HDR content, and a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits, with a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. For professionals working in colour-critical environments or bright studios, a nano-texture glass option is available for the first time on the 1TB and 2TB models to reduce glare.
This advanced technology is housed in an impossibly thin design. The 13-inch model is now just 5.1mm thick, making it the thinnest product Apple has ever created.
Official Responses and Market Context
Apple CEO Tim Cook celebrated the launch on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Meet the new iPad Pro. Furiously fast with M5, making it even more powerful for all of your creative ideas.”
The launch comes at a time when the premium tablet market in India is seeing steady growth, driven by a demand for high-performance devices that can serve both professional and entertainment needs. The iPad Pro M5, with its significant price tag, is squarely aimed at the top end of this market, competing with high-end laptops and 2-in-1s.
Apple iPad Pro M5: Price & Full Specifications at a Glance
For consumers and professionals looking to understand the capabilities of the new device, here is a detailed breakdown of the specifications for the 11-inch and 13-inch models of the Apple iPad Pro M5 launched in India.
| Feature | 11-inch iPad Pro (M5) | 13-inch iPad Pro (M5) |
| Starting Price (India) | Wi-Fi: ₹99,900 Wi-Fi + Cellular: ₹1,19,900 | Wi-Fi: ₹1,29,900 Wi-Fi + Cellular: ₹1,49,900 |
| Processor | Apple M5 Chip | Apple M5 Chip |
| ↳ CPU | 10-core CPU (4 performance, 6 efficiency) | 10-core CPU (4 performance, 6 efficiency) |
| ↳ GPU | 10-core GPU with Hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing | 10-core GPU with Hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing |
| ↳ Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine |
| RAM | 8GB RAM (256GB, 512GB models) 16GB RAM (1TB, 2TB models) | 8GB RAM (256GB, 512GB models) 16GB RAM (1TB, 2TB models) |
| Storage Options | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB |
| Display | Ultra Retina XDR display with Tandem OLED | Ultra Retina XDR display with Tandem OLED |
| ↳ Resolution | 2420 x 1668 pixels at 264 ppi | 2752 x 2064 pixels at 264 ppi |
| ↳ Brightness | 1000 nits (SDR & HDR), 1600 nits peak (HDR only) | 1000 nits (SDR & HDR), 1600 nits peak (HDR only) |
| ↳ Features | ProMotion (10-120Hz), P3 Wide Colour, True Tone | ProMotion (10-120Hz), P3 Wide Colour, True Tone |
| ↳ Glass Option | Standard glass Nano-texture glass (1TB & 2TB models) | Standard glass Nano-texture glass (1TB & 2TB models) |
| Rear Camera | 12MP Wide Camera (ƒ/1.8 aperture) Adaptive True Tone flash LiDAR Scanner | 12MP Wide Camera (ƒ/1.8 aperture) Adaptive True Tone flash LiDAR Scanner |
| Video Recording | 4K video recording at 24/25/30/60 fps ProRes video up to 4K at 30 fps | 4K video recording at 24/25/30/60 fps ProRes video up to 4K at 30 fps |
| Front Camera | Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide Camera (ƒ/2.4 aperture) Center Stage | Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide Camera (ƒ/2.4 aperture) Center Stage |
| Audio | Four-speaker audio system Studio-quality five-mic array | Four-speaker audio system Studio-quality five-mic array |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with MIMO Bluetooth 6.0 | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with MIMO Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Cellular (Optional) | 5G (sub-6 GHz) with new C1X modem | 5G (sub-6 GHz) with new C1X modem |
| Port | Thunderbolt / USB 4 port | Thunderbolt / USB 4 port |
| Dimensions | 249.7 mm x 177.5 mm x 5.3 mm | 281.6 mm x 215.5 mm x 5.1 mm |
| Weight | Wi-Fi: 444 grams Wi-Fi + Cellular: 446 grams | Wi-Fi: 579 grams Wi-Fi + Cellular: 582 grams |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi or watching video | Up to 10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi or watching video |
| Authentication | Face ID | Face ID |
| Accessory Compatibility | Apple Pencil Pro New Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M5) | Apple Pencil Pro New Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M5) |
| Operating System | iPadOS 19 (at launch) | iPadOS 19 (at launch) |
Expert Analysis
Tech analysts note that the focus on AI and the sheer power of the M5 chip is Apple’s strategy to further differentiate the iPad Pro from the rest of the tablet market and even from its own MacBook Air line.
Ranjit Kumar, a prominent tech analyst, commented (paraphrased from industry reports), “With the M5, Apple is not just making an incremental update; it’s making a statement. The performance claims, especially for AI-driven workflows, are astronomical. This device is designed for a niche but growing segment of creators who demand extreme performance in a touch-first, portable interface. The challenge will be for the iPadOS software ecosystem to fully leverage this raw power.”
Impact on Indian Consumers and Professionals
For Indian content creators, filmmakers, designers, and developers, the iPad Pro M5 offers a portable workstation that no longer compromises on power. The ability to perform tasks like 4K ProRes video editing, on-the-go music production with complex plugins, or developing and testing AI models directly on the device could be a game-changer for mobile workflows.
“As a 3D artist, the idea of having this level of rendering power in a device I can carry in my backpack is incredible,” said Anisha Reddy, a freelance designer based in Bengaluru. “The initial investment is high, but the time saved on projects could justify the cost.”
What to Watch Next
The immediate focus will be on the real-world performance benchmarks of the M5 chip and how third-party app developers update their software to harness its capabilities. The success of the new Apple Pencil Pro, with features like squeeze gestures and haptic feedback, will also be crucial in enhancing the pro-user experience. Furthermore, the market will be watching to see how competitors in the Android and Windows space respond to this new level of performance in the tablet category.
The Apple iPad Pro M5 launched in India is more than just an upgrade; it’s a redefinition of what a tablet can be. By packing a desktop-class, AI-focused chip into its thinnest design ever, Apple has created a device of immense potential. While its high price will limit its reach, for the professional and creative user it targets, the iPad Pro M5 is a compelling, and perhaps category-defining, new tool.






