The M5 iPad Pro arrives early: everything that changes compared to the M4

The iPad Pro with M5 chip has appeared in a unboxing video when it has not yet been announced, revealing details of hardware, software and performance that until now were conjectures. The leak comes from the Russian channel Wylsacom, the same one that previewed a MacBook Pro with M4 last year.

Beyond the morbidity of the leak, The information is consistent: on the box and in the device settings it reads “M5”, comes with iPadOS 26 out of the box and the tested unit indicates a battery manufactured in August 2025, signs that the commercial launch is very close.

Leak: M5 iPad Pro appears in video

 

The content shows an iPad Pro M5 from 13 inches in a dark finish (Space Black), with an aesthetic practically identical to the previous generation: ultra-thin body, a single rear camera, four speakers and the Smart Connector in its usual location. The absence of the "iPad Pro" engraving on the back of the unit is striking, a detail that could be specific to this batch and that Apple has not yet confirmed as definitive.

In the software, the tablet boots with iPadOS 26 and shows unequivocal references to the M5 chip. The YouTuber runs benchmarks and shows the system information panel, where you can also see that the battery component is recent, reinforcing the idea that we're looking at final hardware and not a prototype.

The credibility of the video has been backed by regular sources in the Apple environment, and the fact that the same channel successfully leaked a company product previously adds to the credibility. weight to truthfulness of what was seen.

Performance and hardware: what's different compared to the M4

According to the tests shown, the M5 maintains a CPU of 9 nuclei (three high-performance and six efficient) and a frequency practically identical to that of the M4 in Geekbench 6 (around 4,42 GHz versus 4,41 GHz). Even so, an increase of around 10% in single core and between a 12% and 15% in multicore, an incremental but noticeable improvement.

Where the jump is most visible is in the GPU: In the Metal test, the gain is around 34-36% in front of the M4, while in AnTuTu the graphic increase is more moderate, around the 8%That is, the advancements are especially concentrated in the visual aspect, with a direct impact on video editing, 3D, and games.

The leaked unit, of 256 GB storage, appears with 12 GB of RAM, when in the M4 generation that capacity used to be associated with 8 GB. It remains to be seen how scale memory In the rest of the configurations, although it is reasonable to expect that the higher variants (1 TB and 2 TB) will maintain the 16 GB already seen in the past.

Beyond the processor, the same diagonals are expected 11 and 13 inches with 120 Hz OLED panels. There have also been rumors about a possible second front camera aimed at improving horizontal and vertical video calls, although the video does not confirm this, so it should be taken as a unverified hypothesis.

Design, display and connectivity

Apple would keep the continuity design of the previous generation, with an approximate thickness of 5,1 mm and the same design language. The external elements—the single camera, side speakers, and Smart Connector—remain where they're expected, and even the wallpaper on the box matches the style of the previous model.

The documentation of the FCC suggests that the new iPad Pros could incorporate Wi ‑ Fi 7, a leap in connectivity that would provide more room in scenarios of high bandwidth demand. There is no complete technical sheet, but the certification process indicates that the project is in the final phase for commercialization..

There are no major changes to the packaging: the box seems very similar to the previous one, perhaps a little thinner, and the promotional materials do not anticipate a redesign. The focus of this generation, at least according to what has been leaked, would be on the internal performance more than in aesthetic changes.

With iPadOS 26 pre-installed, we can expect improvements in multitasking and in creative workflows that take advantage of the GPU's power and increased memory allocation in certain configurations, leaving a more in-depth review of the exterior for future iterations.

Release schedule and purchasing strategy

The dates that sound the most place the announcement between late October and early November. Since this would be a chip-centric update, It wouldn't be unusual for Apple to opt for a press release launch instead of a dedicated event., especially if it fits with the closure of educational promotions.

For those considering buying now, it's worth considering the domino effect that the arrival of a new generation often causes: iPad Pros with M4, already discounted in many stores, could receive additional discounts at authorized distributors (Amazon, MediaMarkt, Fnac and similar).

If the M5's new features aren't critical to your usage, it could be an interesting savings opportunity; if you prefer the latest, the M5 is shaping up to be the choice once it becomes available..

Between the video leak, the regulatory tracks and the usual proximity of the autumn releases, the panorama draws a iPad Pro M5 continuous on the outside, with measurable improvements in CPU y, especially, on GPU, RAM adjustments based on capacity, and an iPadOS 26 base that boosts the professional experience without any fuss. Everything points to a solid update for those coming from models several years old, and a boost that, in turn, could make the M4 more attractive at retail prices.