Apple iPad Pro Apple 13" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 512GB, Review

The 13-inch iPad Pro with the M5 chip is a screen-first device, and that screen is a stunner. It lands in the 98th percentile, which means it's better than nearly every other tablet display out there. You're looking at a sharp 2752x2064 OLED panel that hits 1000 nits and refreshes at 120Hz. It's the kind of screen that makes everything else look a bit dull by comparison. Underneath that gorgeous glass, the Apple M5 chip keeps things moving. With CPU and GPU performance both sitting in the 94th percentile, this isn't just a content consumption device. It's got the raw power to handle serious creative work, which is why it scores a 95.9 out of 100 for art and design.

Let's talk numbers. That M5 chip, with its 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, puts this iPad Pro in the elite tier for tablet performance. Scoring in the 94th percentile for both CPU and GPU means it's faster than 94 out of 100 tablets we've tested. In practical terms, that translates to buttery-smooth 4K video editing, complex 3D modeling, and zero lag when you're working with dozens of layers in Procreate. The 12GB of RAM is solid, landing in the 74th percentile, and the 512GB of storage is in the 82nd. It's a balanced, high-performance package. The only real performance letdown is the battery, which sits right at the 50th percentile. It's average, so you won't be setting any endurance records.

The price tag is steep, no doubt about it. You're paying a premium for that unmatched screen and the seamless Apple ecosystem. Prices we're seeing range from $1592 to $1699 across different vendors, so there's about a $107 spread. Shop around. If you're deep into creative work on iOS apps, this is the tool for the job, and the performance justifies the cost. But if your needs are simpler, the value proposition gets a lot harder to justify.

Stacked against its rivals, the iPad Pro's strengths and weaknesses are clear. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 offers a full Windows experience and likely more RAM, but its screen and app optimization for pen-based work can't touch the iPad's. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has a fantastic AMOLED screen and more flexible software, but its chip isn't as powerful as the M5. The Lenovo Legion Go is a different beast entirely, focused on gaming. For pure, polished creative work on a tablet, the iPad Pro's combination of the 98th-percentile screen and 94th-percentile silicon is still the benchmark. You just have to be okay with iPadOS's walls.

Here's the deal. If you're an artist, designer, or video editor who wants the absolute best tablet experience, this 13-inch iPad Pro is your pick. The data doesn't lie: a 98th-percentile screen paired with 94th-percentile performance is a killer combo for creative work. But if you need a laptop replacement or prioritize all-day battery life, look at the Windows alternatives. This iPad is a brilliant, specialized tool, not a do-everything machine.