Upcoming iPad Pro M5 (Late 2025): Features, Upgrades & What to Expect

Apple’s next-generation iPad Pro M5, anticipated in late 2025, is shaping up to be a powerful refinement of the iPad Pro line. Drawing from Apple’s official hints and trusted leaks, this comprehensive overview covers everything we know – from the blazing new M5 chip and OLED display technology to potential MagSafe charging, camera upgrades, improved battery life, and the latest iPadOS enhancements. Read on to see what the eighth-generation iPad Pro may bring to everyday users, and how it builds on last year’s major redesign.

One of the biggest expectations for the 2025 iPad Pro is Apple’s M5 chip, which promises a significant boost in performance and efficiency. Apple typically updates the iPad Pro on an ~18-month cycle, and the current M4-based iPad Pro (released May 2024) is due for a chip upgrade. The M5 will reportedly be built on TSMC’s enhanced 3-nanometer process, delivering faster speeds and better energy efficiency than its predecessor. In fact, every Apple silicon generation so far has pushed performance forward, and the M5 is expected to keep that streak going – yielding higher processing power, smoother multitasking, and longer battery life for the new iPad Pro.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the refreshed iPad Pro will be the first device to sport the M5 chip – likely even before any M5 MacBooks debut. While the M4 iPad Pro is already a powerhouse, the M5 will refine things further rather than overhaul them completely. Users can expect the iPad Pro M5 to remain at the top of tablet performance charts, handling demanding apps (from 3D graphics to video editing) with ease. The improved 3nm architecture not only boosts speed but also improves power efficiency, meaning the M5 iPad Pro can deliver more performance without sacrificing battery life. In practical terms, everyday tasks will feel snappier and professional workloads (like editing high-resolution videos or running multiple apps) will be smoother – all while maintaining (or even slightly extending) the all-day battery life iPad Pro users expect.

Apple gave the iPad Pro a major display and design overhaul in 2024, and the 2025 M5 model will build upon those changes. Last year’s iPad Pro introduced OLED screens (replacing the previous mini-LED “Liquid Retina XDR” display on the 12.9″ model) and a much thinner, lighter chassis. For 2025, insiders say no radical design changes are planned – expect the same sleek, ultra-thin build and screen sizes as the current generation. Apple is likely to continue offering two sizes (around 11-inch and 13-inch models) with a slim bezel OLED display on each.

These OLED “Ultra Retina XDR” displays should deliver stunning visuals. Thanks to advanced dual-stack OLED technology, the iPad Pro’s screen can reach up to 1,600 nits peak brightness for HDR content, with vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The display will also retain ProMotion’s 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring ultra-smooth scrolling and responsiveness. Apple even introduced an optional nano-texture glass coating in 2024 (for higher-capacity models) to reduce glare – a feature likely to continue, catering to professionals who work in bright environments.

One tweak to watch for is even thinner bezels. There are rumblings that Apple is working on new display driver tech to shrink the bezel borders further, giving you more screen real estate without increasing the device’s overall size. It’s unclear if this will be ready in time for the M5 iPad Pro, but a recent leak hints that slimmer bezels could be on the horizon. Regardless, the late-2025 iPad Pro is expected to maintain the premium build quality and modern design introduced last year, with its aluminum casing (likely in Silver and Space Gray) and the thinnest profile of any Apple device – just ~5.1 mm for the smaller model and ~5.3 mm for the larger.

Will the 2025 iPad Pro finally get MagSafe or wireless charging? Apple has been exploring this possibility for a while, but it remains uncertain if it will debut in this generation. Back in 2021, reports emerged that Apple was testing a glass-backed iPad Pro to enable MagSafe wireless charging, similar to iPhones. The idea was to allow the iPad to work with magnetic wireless chargers and even potentially support reverse charging (using the iPad’s battery to charge an iPhone or AirPods). Those early rumors suggested Apple considered a MagSafe coil system in the iPad Pro, but the 2022 and 2024 models ultimately launched without wireless charging or glass backs.

For the upcoming iPad Pro M5, no solid evidence has surfaced yet that MagSafe charging will be included. Apple’s 2024 redesign kept a metal back (which is more durable than glass), meaning standard USB-C wired charging is still the primary method. If Apple were to introduce iPad wireless charging, it might use a 15W MagSafe standard (as on iPhone), which is convenient but slower than plugging in. There’s also a chance Apple could adopt a MacBook-style magnetic power connector for iPad instead of true inductive charging – but again, nothing concrete points to this in 2025’s model.

In summary, expect charging to remain similar to current iPads. The iPad Pro M5 will charge via its USB-C port (supporting likely around 20-30W fast charging) and through the Smart Connector with compatible accessories. Rumors of MagSafe haven’t been confirmed for late 2025, so any wireless charging capability, if it exists at all, would be a pleasant surprise. That said, Apple continuously works on improving charging safety and convenience, so even without MagSafe, the device will charge reliably. And if you ever face charging port issues or battery wear down the line, remember that professional repair services can help replace ports or batteries – keeping your iPad running like new.

Apple is also reportedly tweaking the iPad Pro’s camera system to make it more user-friendly for video calls and content creation. The headline rumor is that the iPad Pro M5 will feature two front-facing cameras – one oriented for portrait use and one for landscape. This dual-camera setup means you could FaceTime or Zoom no matter how you hold the tablet, and always appear centered on-screen. Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) notes that by having both portrait and landscape FaceTime cameras, users “won’t have to worry about the device’s orientation” during video calls. It’s a thoughtful upgrade for professionals and families alike, since the current M4 iPad Pro has a single front camera (positioned on the landscape edge), which isn’t ideal when holding the iPad vertically.

On the rear, major camera changes are not expected this generation. The 2024 iPad Pro already simplified its rear camera module to a single 12MP wide camera plus LiDAR sensor (dropping the older ultra-wide lens). That 12MP main camera with LiDAR scanner and True Tone flash is likely to carry over to the M5 model. In other words, the upcoming iPad Pro should retain a 12MP rear camera capable of sharp photos and 4K video (including ProRes recording), augmented by the LiDAR for depth sensing in AR apps. Don’t expect a drastic jump to, say, a 48MP sensor – Apple seems to be focusing more on the front-camera experience and the iPad’s core productivity uses rather than turning it into a photography-first device.

Even with similar hardware, the M5’s improved image signal processor and iPadOS updates could bring subtle camera improvements. Image processing might be faster and low-light performance could see gains thanks to the chip’s efficiency. The dual front cameras (if confirmed) will be the standout, making the iPad Pro one of the best tablets for video conferencing and content creation on the go. And of course, features like Center Stage (which uses the ultra-wide front lens to keep you in frame) will continue to make video calls more dynamic. For everyday users, these camera tweaks mean the iPad Pro will be even more versatile – great for scanning documents, augmented reality tasks with LiDAR, and flawless video calls without worrying about holding your iPad “just right”.

The battery life on iPad Pro is already strong, and late-2025’s model should hold the line or improve slightly. Apple doesn’t usually disclose iPad battery milliamp-hours, but the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pros have roughly ~8,300 mAh and ~10,300 mAh batteries respectively – enough for around 10 hours of web surfing or video. The M5 chip’s efficiency will likely let Apple eke out a bit more usage from the same battery capacity. Thanks to the 3nm architecture and Apple’s optimization, users can expect all-day battery longevity, even with the powerful processor. In fact, insiders predict the M5’s advancements will contribute to longer battery life and a smoother overall experience, since the chip can do more work per watt of power.

Charging speeds are expected to remain in the 20W to 30W range as current models, which means you won’t get super-fast charging, but it’s on par with other tablets. Filling up a large iPad battery still takes a bit of time, so overnight charging or topping up during breaks will remain common practice. The upside is that iPads have excellent standby endurance – you can leave it in your bag for days and still have charge. If battery longevity is a concern, remember that efficient chips like the M5 not only improve performance but also help ensure that you’re getting maximum screen time per charge. And over the years, if you notice the battery holding less charge, a professional battery replacement (for example, via an Apple-authorized service center) can give your device a new lease on life, which is something to keep in mind given iPads’ long usable lifespan.

Hardware aside, the software side of the equation is just as exciting. The iPad Pro M5 will ship with Apple’s latest iPadOS – expected to be a major update launching in fall 2025. (Apple is reportedly renaming its OS versions by year, so this release might be called iPadOS 26 instead of iPadOS 19.) Whatever the name, it will bring a host of improvements that make the iPad Pro even more capable for everyday users and professionals.

One highlight is a more Mac-like multitasking experience. Apple has been steadily improving iPadOS’s multitasking, and rumor has it the new version introduces a revamped windowing system and menu bars for apps. This means using an iPad Pro could feel closer to using a laptop: you might be able to open multiple overlapping app windows, use menu bar commands like on macOS, and enjoy an even more flexible Stage Manager for arranging your workspaces. Early reports suggest the Files app is getting supercharged, and a new Preview app (similar to the macOS PDF/image viewer) is coming to iPad, letting you view and mark up documents more easily. These changes blur the line between tablet and computer, great for those who want to use the iPad Pro for serious productivity.

Another big push in 2025 is Apple’s focus on AI-driven features, under what Apple calls the “Apple Intelligence” umbrella. iPadOS is expected to integrate smart features that assist with creativity and daily tasks. For example, we could see AI-assisted writing and drawing – imagine the Apple Pencil offering suggestions or autocompletion when taking notes or sketching. There are rumors of an “Image Playground” to generate visuals in certain apps, gen AI photo editing tools (like magically removing objects or enhancing images on the fly), and even the ability to create custom emojis or stickers (dubbed “Genmoji”) using AI. Productivity might get a boost with features like audio transcription for voice notes, smarter email composition (where Mail can help draft or change the tone of your message), and auto-generated message replies for quick responses. Notifications could be summarized intelligently so you get the gist at a glance, and Siri is expected to become smarter, handling more complex multi-step requests – with reports that Apple is finally leveraging advanced AI to give Siri deeper understanding of context. (And if Siri still isn’t up to the task, iPadOS may even allow integration with services like ChatGPT for more detailed answers.)

Crucially, most of these software features won’t be exclusive to the M5 iPad Pro – Apple usually supports new iPadOS features on recent models too. Even if you have a slightly older iPad, you’ll benefit from the new update. However, the M5 chip will ensure these features run buttery-smooth, and some advanced capabilities (especially those leveraging machine learning or heavy multitasking) will perform best on the latest hardware. Apple is likely to market iPadOS 26 as a perfect companion to the iPad Pro M5, highlighting that together they offer a desktop-class experience in a tablet form factor. All told, the late-2025 iPad Pro will not only have cutting-edge hardware but also software that makes it more powerful and user-friendly for everything from creative work to everyday browsing.

Apple hasn’t officially announced the iPad Pro M5 yet, but multiple sources point to a fall 2025 release, likely around September or October. Bloomberg’s insiders report that mass production is slated for the second half of 2025, aligning with a possible October launch event. This timing fits Apple’s historical pattern (previous iPad Pros launched in Oct 2018, Oct 2022, and May 2024). By late 2025, Apple’s lineup of pro tablets will be refreshed with the M5 models hitting store shelves – great news if you’re holding out for the latest and greatest iPad.

In terms of pricing, it’s expected to stay in line with current iPad Pro prices. The 11-inch iPad Pro M5 will likely start around the same $999 (256GB base) as the M4, and the 13-inch model around $1,299 for the base configuration. Apple already raised prices slightly with the last upgrade (when they also upped the base storage from 128GB to 256GB). Barring any unexpected tariffs or component costs, the pricing should remain steady – keeping the iPad Pro firmly in premium territory. It’s an investment, but one that tends to last: iPads are known for their longevity and can easily get 5+ years of software updates.

Bottom line: the iPad Pro M5 looks to be an evolutionary upgrade that polishes an already excellent device. Users can look forward to a faster chip, superb OLED display, orientation-friendly cameras, and enhanced software that together make the iPad Pro even more capable for work and play. While it may not be a radical redesign year, these late-2025 improvements focus on practical enhancements – faster everything, better video calls, and a more desktop-like experience – which everyday tech users will appreciate. As you get excited for what this iPad can do, remember to keep your devices in good shape. Apple builds them tough, but if you ever crack a screen or need a battery serviced, professional support (like your local iPad repair specialists) can help ensure your device stays as reliable as the day you bought it. With the upcoming iPad Pro M5, Apple is continuing its stride towards making the iPad a true laptop alternative, and it’s poised to be one of the most powerful and user-friendly tablets on the market

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