Apple iPad Pro Apple 11" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 2TB, Review

The 11" iPad Pro M5 has a CPU that's faster than almost every other tablet and the most storage you can buy. It's a pocket-sized powerhouse with a stunning OLED screen. But you'll pay over $2000 for it, and the battery life is just average.

The Apple iPad Pro 11" with the M5 chip is a monster in a compact frame. It's not just a tablet, it's a pocket-sized workstation with specs that punch well above its weight class. You're looking at a 10-core M5 CPU that's one of the best on the market, paired with 16GB of RAM and a staggering 2TB of storage. This thing is built for serious work, not just casual browsing. And that work happens on a stunning 11" OLED screen. It's a leading display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits of brightness, making it fantastic for everything from video editing to watching movies. With WiFi 7 and 5G cellular, it's also one of the most connected tablets you can buy. The only real question is whether you need all this power in a tablet form.

Performance is where this iPad Pro shines. The Apple M5 chip lands in the 97th percentile for CPU performance, meaning it's faster than almost every other tablet we've tested. It's not just fast for tablet tasks, it's fast enough to handle heavy-duty desktop applications when you need it. The GPU is equally impressive, sitting in the 96th percentile, so creative work and gaming feel smooth and responsive. That power is backed by 16GB of RAM, which is well above average for tablets, and a massive 2TB of storage that's essentially the best you can get right now. The combination means you can run multiple intensive apps without a hiccup and store a huge library of projects locally. The OLED screen, with its high resolution and refresh rate, makes everything you do look incredible.

Value is a tough sell here. You're paying over $2000 for a tablet, which is a huge ask. The price spread across vendors is about $195, so shopping around can save you a bit. You get what you pay for in raw specs, though. The performance, storage, and screen are all top-tier. But if your workflow doesn't demand that level of power, or if you can do the same work on a cheaper laptop, the price per performance ratio gets shaky. This is a premium tool for a premium user.

Compared to the competition, this iPad Pro makes its case with raw silicon. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ has a great screen too, but its processor typically doesn't match Apple's sheer CPU and GPU performance. The Microsoft Surface Pro is a closer competitor as a PC replacement, offering more flexible desktop software, but its tablet mode and app ecosystem aren't as polished. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus offers a larger screen for media at a lower cost, but its performance is middle of the pack. If you need the ultimate tablet performance and are locked into the Apple ecosystem, this is your pick. If you need a more general-purpose computer or care more about battery life, the others have arguments.

Skip this iPad Pro if battery life is your top priority. Its score is middle of the pack, so if you need a tablet that lasts all day on a single charge under heavy load, others might serve you better. Also, if your main use is reading, it's strong but not its best area. And obviously, if you're not ready to spend over $2000 on a tablet, this isn't for you. It's a tool for professionals who need its specific power, not a general-purpose device for everyone.

This iPad Pro is a data-backed recommendation for a very specific user. If your scores show you need a tablet for business, entertainment, and productivity at the highest level, and you have the budget, it's a fantastic choice. The M5 chip, massive storage, and gorgeous screen create a package that's hard to beat in the tablet world. But if your needs are simpler, or if battery life is a priority, its high cost and average endurance make it a harder sell. It's the best tablet for power users, but not the best tablet for everyone.