Apple has officially introduced its latest tablet, the iPad Pro, featuring the new M5 chip, which the company says brings a major leap in speed, graphics, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
The device is available for pre-order starting today and will reach stores on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, at a starting price of $999 (about R18,700) for the 11-inch Wi-Fi model.
According to Apple, the M5 chip offers up to 3.5 times faster AI performance than the M4 version and 5.6 times fasterthan the M1 model.
In simple terms, this means that the iPad Pro can handle more demanding tasks, such as generating images or editing high-resolution videos, much faster and with less lag.
The new M5 chip also introduces a redesigned graphics processor (GPU) with what Apple calls a Neural Accelerator built into each core — this helps the iPad process AI-powered features directly on the device rather than depending on the internet.
Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, described the device as “our most advanced and versatile iPad experience yet,” adding that the M5 chip “unlocks endless possibilities for creativity and productivity.”
The iPad Pro comes in two sizes, 11-inch and 13-inch, and in space black or silver finishes. Both models use what Apple calls the Ultra Retina XDR display, a screen that combines two layers of OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panels to deliver brighter images and deeper blacks.
For readers unfamiliar with OLED, it’s a type of screen that produces its own light for each pixel, giving better picture quality and contrast than older LCD screens.
Apple has also introduced improvements to memory and storage. The new iPad Pro models can move data around 30% faster than the previous generation and come with 12GB of memory on the 256GB and 512GB versions.
Users can expect smoother multitasking — meaning they can open multiple apps and switch between them without slowing the device down.
For wireless connectivity, the iPad Pro now supports Wi-Fi 7, which provides faster and more stable internet connections, and 5G on the cellular models for quicker downloads while on the go. Apple’s new C1X modem also allows up to 50% faster mobile data speeds and uses less battery power than before.
The iPad Pro runs on iPadOS 26, Apple’s latest tablet operating system. This version includes a redesigned interface and new AI-powered tools under the banner of Apple Intelligence. These tools can perform functions such as translating live conversations or automatically sorting reminders and messages.
The device also works with new accessories, including the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, which are sold separately.
The Apple Pencil Pro is priced at $129, while the Magic Keyboard starts at $299 for the 11-inch version.
Apple said the iPad Pro continues the company’s environmental efforts, with the device built using 30% recycled materials by weight, including 100% recycled aluminum and rare earth elements in its components.
Customers in South Africa will be able to purchase the new iPad Pro through Apple’s online store and authorised resellers, with prices adjusted according to local taxes and exchange rates.