Apple announces "M5-powered MacBook Pro." iPad Pro and Vision Pro also see subtle "evolutions."

On October 15 (local time), Apple announced several new products featuring their newly designed "M5" chipset. All products are scheduled to be released in Japan from October 22, and pre-orders began immediately after the announcement. The direct sale prices (including tax) are as follows:

• 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5): From ¥248,800

• 11-inch iPad Pro (M5): Wi-Fi model: from ¥168,800, Wi-Fi + Cellular model: from ¥204,800

• 13-inch iPad Pro (M5): Wi-Fi model: from ¥218,800, Wi-Fi + Cellular model: from ¥254,800

• Apple Vision Pro (M5): From ¥599,800

Beyond the "M5" integration, this new lineup also features subtle updates across each series. Below, we'll organize and present the changes and their aims for each series.

1. New MacBook Pro: Enhanced with the full-scale implementation of Apple Intelligence in mind

The M5 is the latest chipset announced on October 29, 2024 (local time), which offers overall performance improvements and enhanced GPU capabilities compared to the M4. The GPU features Neural Accelerators in each core, demonstrating improvements in AI performance and 3D graphics.

• Performance benchmark: Compared to the M4-powered MacBook Pro, the M5-powered models are said to achieve up to 3.5 times faster AI performance and up to 1.6 times faster graphics performance.

• Memory/Storage: The maximum unified memory capacity remains unchanged from the M4 generation at 32GB, but the memory bandwidth has increased from 120GB/s to 153GB/s. Storage options are 512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB, doubling the previous model's maximum of 2TB.

• Chassis/Battery: There are no changes to the body size, display specifications, or up to 24 hours of battery life.

In terms of sales trends, sales of the M4 version of the 14-inch MacBook Pro ceased simultaneously with the start of pre-orders for the M5 version on Apple's direct sales website. However, sales of the M4 Pro and M4 Max versions continue. It is worth noting that there are currently no performance-enhanced "Pro" or "Max" versions in the M5 series.

Apple explains the target audience for each chip on the MacBook Pro product page as follows:

• M5: Delivers next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI experiences to students, business users, and aspiring creators.

• M4 Pro: Provides even more power to those tackling demanding projects, such as scientists, engineers, software developers, and professional creators.

• M4 Max: Ideal for artists using 3D VFX, AI developers, and film music composers.

In conjunction with this, the latest OS, "macOS Tahoe," not only enhances the proprietary AI tool "Apple Intelligence" but also makes the "Foundation Model framework," which forms the basis for running AI on devices, available to external developers. While practical applications may be limited at present, the M5-equipped 14-inch MacBook Pro is likely to be a strong contender for comfortably running on-device AI as it becomes more prevalent.

👉【Breaking News】Apple announces "MacBook Pro" with M5 chip

2. iPad Pro: M5 integrated, wireless capabilities also enhanced

The 11/13-inch iPad Pro (M5) primarily centers on the chip upgrade from M4 to M5, with the enhancement points largely shared with the MacBook Pro.

• AI Performance: Up to 3.5x faster than the iPad Pro (M4), and up to 5.6x faster than M1-equipped devices.

• Wireless Chip Refresh: A new "N1" chip for wireless communication (the same as in the "iPhone 17" series) has been adopted, supporting new standards for Bluetooth (5.3 → 6) and Wi-Fi (6E → 7).

• Modem Change: The Wi-Fi + Cellular model is equipped with the "C1X" modem, the same as in the "iPhone Air." This is said to increase mobile data communication performance by up to 50% and reduce power consumption by up to 30%.

• Battery Life Estimate: Both M4 and M5 versions are expected to have up to 9 hours of internet use on a mobile data communication network, with little difference.

• External Display: The refresh rate during connection has been expanded to up to 120Hz and Adaptive Sync is now supported. This allows for a low-latency environment when combined with compatible displays.

• Fast Charging: When using a USB-C power adapter capable of supplying 60W or more, up to 50% charge can be achieved in 35 minutes.

Not only the chip, but also the refresh of network-related chips and modems has had an impact, resulting in an update that is likely to show differences in real-world communication experience.

👉【Breaking News】Apple announces powerful new iPad Pro with M5 chip

3. Apple Vision Pro: The second generation sees its first "minor update"

Apple Vision Pro (M5) is positioned as the second generation in the series. The original model (M2-equipped) was released in the US in February 2024, making this a new product released after approximately 20 months. Compared to the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, the performance improvement is notably larger.

• Display: Custom micro-OLED, rendering 10% more pixels compared to the previous generation.

• Refresh Rate: Can be increased to up to 120Hz.

• Battery: General use has improved from up to 2 hours to 2.5 hours, and video playback from up to 2.5 hours to 3 hours.

• Experience Speed: System experiences such as Persona recording and converting photos into spatial scenes are up to 50% faster (and up to 2 times faster for third-party apps).

Among the peripheral equipment, the most noticeable change is the head strap, which has been updated to the "Dual Knit Band." The first generation included two types: the "Solo Knit Band" and the "Dual Loop Band," but the Vision Pro (M5) only includes the "Dual Knit Band." The Dual Knit Band is structured to optimize the fit to the back of the head and crown, similar to the Dual Loop Band, but based on the ribbed material of the Solo Knit Band.

• Individual band pricing: Both the Dual Knit Band and Solo Knit Band can be purchased for ¥16,800 (tax included). First-generation users can use the Dual Knit Band, and M5-equipped device users can use the Solo Knit Band.

• Trade-in: Apple's "Apple Trade In" program, which applies to many major products, currently does not include the Vision Pro.

Furthermore, since there are almost no features or characteristics exclusive to the "Vision Pro (M5)," it can be argued that demand for upgrades will be limited, unless there are special purposes such as research or development.

The big news in this announcement is the simultaneous enhancement of the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro, all centered around the M5 chip.

The MacBook Pro has laid the groundwork for the arrival of the on-device AI era, including Apple Intelligence and the Foundation Model framework, while the iPad Pro has seen an evolution in wireless experience with the adoption of the N1 chip and C1X modem.

The Vision Pro has steadily improved practical aspects such as display, battery, and band, while also increasing product maturity. The release in Japan is also scheduled for October 22, and pre-orders are currently open.