New iPad Pro 'a huge leap' with improved specs and ultra thin design

If you've got a chunk of change to spend on a tablet that costs more than most, you'll be happy to know Apple has just updated its premium iPad Pro range with two new models.

The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro now come with the new Apple M5 chip inside, which Apple unveiled today. The new processor is also nestled inside a new version of the 14-inch MacBook Pro, as well as an upgraded Vision Pro headset.

The iPads retain the same design as the M4 versions that they replaced from last year, which introduced an amazingly thin design. The 11-inch iPad Pro remains 5.3mm thick, and the 13-inch is 5.1mm, which is the thinnest product Apple has ever made.

"Powered by the next generation of Apple silicon, the new iPad Pro delivers our most advanced and versatile iPad experience yet," said John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.

"iPad Pro with M5 unlocks endless possibilities for creativity and productivity - with a huge leap in AI performance and a big boost in graphics, superfast wireless connectivity, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, it pushes the boundaries of what iPad can do yet again."

These slates are the only iPads to use OLED screens, and are also the only iPads with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates, so you'll need to fork out if you want the best display. The 11-inch model starts at £999 while the 13-inch will set you back at least £1,299, which is £300 more than the entry-level MacBook Air.

They are pricey iPads, but at least they are the same price as the previous generation sold for, getting you more power for your pounds. Both models are available to pre-order now, and they go on sale on Wednesday October 22.

With the M5, Apple is promising a "big leap in AI performance", saying the new iPad Pro is up to 3.5x faster for AI (presumably Apple Intelligence tools) and the M4 model, while it's 5.6x faster than the M1 iPad Pro from 2021.

Most buyers will struggle to see massive gains over the already powerful older generation, but if you upgrade from a four year old or older iPad, the difference in quality across the board should be marked.

The iPads also have Apple's CX1 and N1 chips inside, which improve GPS and 5G connections (if you have a cellular model for the latter), plus "better performance when connected to 5GHz networks, and improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop," according to Apple.

As ever, the iPad Pro is compatible with Apple's optional Magic Keyboard accessory for laptop-style use, plus you can use the Apple Pencil Pro for note taking, sketching, drawing and other pro applications.

These are the first iPads to run iPadOS 26 out of the box, a major iPad software release as it is the first to finally allow iPads to run free-flowing, resizable app windows like you would expect on a Mac or Windows PC. All apps can now be stacked on top of each other when open, and there are menu bars for all apps across the top of the screen as you'd expect on a desktop.

This comes at the same time Apple introduces its Liquid Glass look across its entire hardware range. Apps and windows have been redesigned to have a translucent effect that's mirrored on iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch and Vision Pro.