iPad Pro 13 (2025) leak: Apple M5 power, familiar design, smarter upgrades
A new leak showcases Apple’s next iPad Pro 13 and the Apple M5 chip ahead of launch, and it’s shaping up to be a meaningful performance refresh wrapped in a familiar design. The 2025 model looks nearly identical to last year’s iPad Pro, with subtle tweaks like pared-back rear branding. Crucially, it appears to maintain full compatibility with existing accessories, including Apple’s Magic Keyboard, which will be welcome news for current owners.
Apple is keeping the base storage at 256 GB, but the default memory gets a noteworthy bump: the entry model reportedly jumps from 8 GB to 12 GB of RAM. Early benchmark entries back up that change and point to an M5 configuration with nine CPU cores, featuring three performance cores. That’s fewer performance cores than the MacBook-focused M5 variants are expected to offer, but the tablet still posts solid gains generation-over-generation.
In Geekbench 6, the M5 inside the upcoming iPad Pro delivers around 10% higher single-core and 16% higher multi-core scores compared to the M4-powered 2024 iPad Pro. Thanks in part to 50% more L2 cache, overall responsiveness gets a lift, and the GPU sees a notable jump: Geekbench 6 Metal scores are up by about 34%. On AnTuTu v10, the new model is roughly 8% ahead of its predecessor, indicating a balanced uplift across CPU, GPU, and memory performance.
What this means in everyday use is faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and stronger graphics performance for creative workflows and gaming, all without forcing a redesign or new accessories.
Key takeaways
– Design stays sleek and familiar; rear branding is toned down.
– Existing accessories like the Magic Keyboard should remain compatible.
– Base model: 256 GB storage, now with 12 GB RAM (up from 8 GB).
– Apple M5 uses a 9-core setup with three performance cores.
– Performance vs. M4 iPad Pro: about +10% single-core, +16% multi-core in Geekbench 6.
– GPU boost: approximately +34% in Geekbench 6 Metal.
– Overall uplift: around +8% in AnTuTu v10, aided by 50% more L2 cache.
Apple is expected to unveil the new iPad Pro 13 alongside an 11-inch sibling in the coming weeks. If you’ve been holding out for a speed-focused upgrade without changing your accessories, this generation looks like the one to watch.
