The next generation of Apple's flagship tablet, the iPad Pro with the M5 chip, is not just rumored—it has effectively been revealed. An unusual surge of highly credible leaks, including a full-fledged unboxing and benchmarking video from a leaker with a proven track record, strongly suggests Apple is preparing a major internal hardware overhaul for an imminent launch, likely in October.

Based on a combination of hands-on video evidence, regulatory filings (FCC), and analysis from established tech blogs, the M5 iPad Pro appears to be a prime example of an "internal spec bump", where the focus is entirely on raw power rather than a dramatic new aesthetic.


Reliability of the Leak: Why This is Different

The reliability of this leak is exceptionally high. The primary evidence comes from a YouTube channel, Wylsacom, which uploaded an unboxing and performance review of a seemingly final 13-inch M5 iPad Pro unit.

  • Proven Track Record: This is the same source that accurately leaked the M4 MacBook Pro last year, lending significant weight to the current iPad Pro revelation.
  • Corroborating Evidence: The video’s existence coincided with recent accidental filings on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website, which listed unreleased Apple device model numbers that track with new iPad Pro and MacBook Pro updates. This regulatory documentation acts as a strong official confirmation that the new hardware is real and ready for market.

The Performance Story: Major GPU and RAM Gains

The M5 iPad Pro's power bump is the headline feature, with early Geekbench scores revealing where Apple has focused its engineering efforts.

CPU Performance

While impressive, the CPU uplift is modest compared to the massive gains seen when Apple switched from Intel to its M-series chips.

  • Single-Core: Approximately 10% to 12% faster than the M4 chip.
  • Multi-Core: Approximately 15% faster than the M4 chip.

This is a healthy generational improvement, but it is clear that the M4 chip was already highly capable, leaving less room for drastic CPU improvements without a major architecture change.

Key Feature M4 iPad Pro (2024) M5 iPad Pro (Leaked Info)
Processor Apple M4 Apple M5
CPU Performance Gain Baseline ~10% - 15% (vs. M4)
GPU Performance Gain Baseline ~33% - 36% (Significant Boost)
Base Model RAM 8GB (256GB Storage Model) 12GB (256GB Storage Model)
External Design Ultra-thin design (e.g., 13-inch at 5.1mm) Ultra-thin design, **Largely Identical**
Rear Inscription "iPad Pro" engraved **No** "iPad Pro" engraving (may be pre-release only)
Wireless Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E, 5G Potential support for **Wi-Fi 7**
Expected Launch Released (May 2024) Expected **October 2025**

GPU Performance: The Biggest Jump

The most significant performance difference is in graphics processing, which is crucial for modern gaming, high-end video editing, and especially AI/Machine Learning (ML) tasks.

  • Metal Score (GPU): Benchmarks show a staggering 33% to 36% improvement in graphics processing over the M4.

This substantial leap indicates that Apple may be preparing the M5 and its associated devices for a heavy pivot toward on-device Apple Intelligence features, which often rely on a powerful Neural Engine and GPU for rapid processing.

Base Model RAM Upgrade

A crucial piece of information for pro users is the apparent upgrade to the base model's memory.

  • The leaked 256GB storage model of the M5 iPad Pro reportedly features 12GB of RAM, up from the 8GB in the equivalent M4 model. This increase will dramatically improve multitasking and workflow fluidity, especially when dealing with memory-intensive creative applications.

Design and Expected Launch

For those hoping for an all-new exterior, the leaks are conclusive: the M5 iPad Pro retains the ultra-thin and sleek design introduced with the M4 generation. The external form factor, including the speaker grilles, Smart Connector, and single rear camera module, appears unchanged. The only minor aesthetic difference noted is the removal of the "iPad Pro" text inscription on the back of the device.

Given that Apple's previous two generations of the iPad Pro were unveiled during the October period, and with pre-release units now clearly in the wild, an official announcement is widely expected to take place in the coming weeks.