Apple M5 Arrives: A New Wave of Apple Devices with AI-Ready Power
Apple is extending its silicon strategy with the official debut of the M5 chip, a generation beyond the M4 that accompanies refreshed hardware across the iPad Pro, Vision Pro headset, and a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The rollout signals Apple’s focus on AI-optimized performance while maintaining the elegance and design language users expect from the brand.
The M5 Chip: What changes, and why it matters
Built on a 3-nanometre process like its predecessor, the M5 positions itself as an AI-forward evolution. Core improvements include a 10-core GPU paired with a dedicated Neural Accelerator per core, enhancing AI-driven workflows, graphics, and ray-tracing. The Neural Engine remains a central feature, but memory bandwidth and overall efficiency see meaningful gains. In practical terms, developers and power users can expect smoother generative AI tasks, quicker graphics rendering, and better performance in graphics-heavy apps.
In short, the M5 is designed to accelerate both creative workloads and AI-infused tasks, making it a versatile upgrade for a range of users—from creators to developers testing ML workflows.
M5 iPad Pro: More power for a familiar form
The M5 arrives first in Apple’s iPad Pro lineup, with both the 11-inch and 13-inch models gaining the new chip. The familiar slim chassis and OLED display remain, but the M5 injects extra juice for graphics and AI tasks. A notable functional upgrade is support for external display 120Hz refresh rates, enabling smoother visuals when connected to high-refresh external monitors.
Connectivity also advances with updated wireless hardware drawn from Apple’s latest iPhone line, including C1X for 5G where applicable and a new N1 chip handling Bluetooth 6, Wi‑Fi 7, and Thread for smart home integration. Storage options continue from 256GB to 2TB, with nano-textured glass available on higher storage tiers for the 13-inch model.
Pricing in select markets starts at roughly $1,699 for the Wi‑Fi 11-inch model and climbs for Wi‑Fi + 5G variants, with regional equivalents in New Zealand and Australia following a similar tiered approach. Availability is slated for October 22, matching the broader launch timeframe for the M5 ecosystem.
M5 MacBook Pro 14-inch: A faster bridge to older software
Alongside the iPad Pro, Apple will refresh the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip. While it does not replace the M4 Pro/Max lines this year, the M5 MacBook Pro 14-inch focuses on delivering significantly faster rendering, as Apple cites nearly sevenfold improvements in Blender Pro rendering compared with the older M1-equipped model. Developers using Xcode can expect substantially faster builds, with up to 2x gains versus M1 and notable gains versus the M4 generation.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 is positioned as an upgrade path for users with older Apple Silicon or Intel-based devices, offering a compelling mix of performance, efficiency, and continued support for professional software suites. Availability mirrors the iPad Pro timeline, with pricing in Australia starting around $2,499 and NZD 2,999, and a release on October 22.
Vision Pro: A headset updated with M5 power
Apple’s Vision Pro headset also rolls out with M5 hardware, underscoring the company’s strategy to pair its most ambitious wearable with its latest silicon. The headset’s new band design is described as more comfortable and breathable, aiming to improve wearability during extended sessions. The price remains steep at AU$5,999 in Australia, reflecting the premium nature of mixed-reality devices. A Dual Knit Band accessory is offered separately, and Vision Pro with the M5 is scheduled to ship in Australia on October 22, alongside the other M5 devices.
What this means for Apple enthusiasts and developers
Apple’s M5 release cadence reinforces a broader strategy: bring cutting-edge silicon to iPad, headset, and laptop first, then iterate with Pro and Max variants later. For developers, the improved AI acceleration and graphics performance open up new possibilities in AI-driven apps, creative workflows, and real-time rendering. For end users, the update promises stronger performance, better wireless connectivity, and a more seamless, AI-aware computing experience across devices.
Availability and what to expect next
All major devices featuring the M5 are scheduled to arrive in stores around October 22 in multiple regions, with a consistent thread of 256GB to 2TB storage options. While we await deeper hands-on impressions and real-world benchmarks, the M5’s early focus on AI and graphics suggests a notable step up for Apple’s current generation of silicon and the ecosystems it powers.
