Apple has introduced a powerful new lineup featuring the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro, all powered by the next-generation M5 chip.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Apple’s new M5 chip delivers up to 3.5x faster AI performance than the previous generation.
- The 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro now feature this upgraded chip.
- Devices are available for preorder now and officially launch on October 22.
- Apple maintains pricing while boosting performance, positioning M5 as a leap in AI capabilities.
What Happened?
Apple has rolled out refreshed versions of the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro, all powered by its new M5 chip, which the company claims marks the next major leap in AI computing. With significant performance improvements across CPU, GPU, and AI tasks, these devices aim to transform creative workflows and everyday usage.
Amazing performance. Extraordinary battery life. Introducing the all-new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5, delivering the next big leap in AI performance on the Mac. pic.twitter.com/qqjyO2Sj3W
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 15, 2025
M5 Chip: Apple’s AI Engine for the Future
The centerpiece of the announcement is the M5 chip, Apple’s most advanced silicon to date. Built using third-generation 3-nanometer technology, the M5 features:
- A 10-core CPU with up to 20 percent faster multithreaded performance than M4.
- A next-gen 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core.
- A 16-core Neural Engine for AI workloads.
- 153GB/s memory bandwidth, nearly 30 percent higher than M4.
- Support for up to 4TB SSD storage and 32GB of unified memory.
Apple says the M5 delivers up to 4x peak GPU compute performance and up to 3.5x faster AI performance over the M4 chip. It also supports advanced ray tracing for smoother visuals and dynamic caching for faster rendering.
In a statement, John Ternus, Apple’s SVP of Hardware Engineering, said:
New Devices Powered by M5
The updated 14-inch MacBook Pro now comes standard with the M5 chip, priced at $1,599. It features:
- Liquid Retina XDR display with nano-texture option.
- 12MP Center Stage camera.
- Six-speaker sound system.
- Up to 24-hour battery life.
- macOS Tahoe with Apple Intelligence features.
The 11-inch iPad Pro, starting at $999, and the Apple Vision Pro, starting at $3,499, also benefit from the M5 upgrade. The Vision Pro now renders 10 percent more pixels, supports up to 120Hz refresh rates, and enhances motion clarity with reduced blur.
These devices are available for preorder now and will hit stores on October 22.
Apple’s Holiday Strategy
This launch aligns with Apple’s annual fall product push ahead of the holiday season. With the iPhone 17 and Apple Watch Series 11 released in September, Apple is setting the stage for a strong December quarter.
While iPhone sales still dominate, contributing nearly 47 percent of Apple’s revenue in the June quarter, the MacBook and iPad businesses remain important. Apple reported $6.58 billion in iPad sales (down 8 percent YoY) and $8.05 billion in Mac sales (up 15 percent YoY) in its last earnings report.
Though Vision Pro revenue remains unclear, analysts consider it a small portion of Apple’s wearables category.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
I’m seriously impressed with what Apple is doing here. The M5 chip looks like a genuine step forward, not just a minor upgrade. By putting it into multiple flagship products, Apple is clearly betting on AI as the future of personal computing. And honestly, if you’re into video editing, gaming, or just want snappy multitasking, this chip might be a game-changer. Plus, they didn’t hike the prices, which in Apple terms, is almost generous.
