Our verdict
Creators and professionals who need the largest iPad screen, an OLED Pro display, and M-series speed for drawing, photo/video work, and heavy iPadOS apps—especially when moving up from iPad Air or an older Pro.
The Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) in 256GB Wi-Fi configuration is Apple's large-screen Pro tablet: M5 silicon for demanding apps and on-device AI workloads, a 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR tandem-OLED panel with ProMotion (2752×2064 at 264 ppi), Face ID, Wi-Fi 7, and a USB-C port with Thunderbolt / USB 4. It targets illustrators, video editors, and power users who want maximum portable screen area with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro support in a roughly 1.28 lb chassis. Long-term users tend to rave about performance.
What we like
- 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with ProMotion, wide color, and high peak brightness suited to HDR content, photo editing, and large-canvas drawing.
- Apple M5 chip with headroom for pro apps, multitasking, and Apple Intelligence features supported on iPad Pro.
- Landscape 12MP Center Stage front camera and 12MP rear wide camera with LiDAR for scanning, AR, and video calls.
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 over USB-C for fast storage, external displays, and pro accessories.
- Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro for laptop-style input and precision creative work.
- Heavy apps and multitasking stay smooth for the kind of work people buy this class of device for.
Keep in mind
- Flagship pricing sits well above iPad Air and many prior-generation iPad Pro deals—budget matters even when specs are strong.
- 256GB storage fills quickly if you shoot ProRes 4K or keep large project files locally; higher tiers cost substantially more.
- Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro are separate purchases and add meaningful cost to the full setup.
- iPadOS still differs from macOS for some desktop workflows (certain pro apps, windowing limits, and file workflows you may rely on on a Mac).
- Meaningful upgrade over M4 is mainly about M5 performance and the latest display stack—light daily use on an M4 may not feel dramatically different.
Who should buy
Creators and professionals who need the largest iPad screen, an OLED Pro display, and M-series speed for drawing, photo/video work, and heavy iPadOS apps—especially when moving up from iPad Air or an older Pro.
Who should skip
Shoppers who mainly browse and stream (iPad Air is often enough); M4 Pro owners happy with their current display and speed; anyone who needs macOS-native software without compromise; buyers who want the lowest total cost without premium accessories.
How we rated it
FAQ
What storage and model is this review about?
This configuration is 256GB Wi-Fi in Space Black (Apple model MDYJ4LL/A). Other storage tiers and cellular options differ in price and specs.
Which Apple Pencil and keyboard work with this iPad Pro?
Apple lists support for Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), plus Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro—check Apple's compatibility page for your exact accessory generation.
What display specs are documented for the 13-inch model?
A 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with ProMotion, 2752-by-2064-pixel resolution at 264 ppi, P3 wide color, True Tone, and antireflective coating.
What connectivity does the Wi-Fi model include?
Wi-Fi 7 with Apple N1, Bluetooth, and a USB-C connector that supports Thunderbolt / USB 4 for data and charging.
Check the latest offer for Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5): Ultra Retina XDR Display, 256GB, Landscape 12MP Front Camera/12MP Back Camera, LiDAR Scanner, Wi-Fi 7 with Apple N1, Face ID, All-Day Battery Life — Space Black
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