iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only
M5 · Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi + Cellular
iPad Pro 13" (M4)
M4 · Tandem OLED · Apple Pencil Pro
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only lands at 95 and iPad Pro 13" (M4) at 94. That puts iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only if…
- ✓M5 performance in a tablet
- ✓Tandem OLED display
- ✓Apple Pencil Pro support
Pick iPad Pro 13" (M4) if…
- ✓Tandem OLED with true HDR
- ✓M4 performance in a tablet
- ✓Thinnest Apple device ever
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testDisplay
TieCompared on the display sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Performance
TieCompared on the performance sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Portability
iPad Pro 13" (M4)Compared on the portability sub-score
iPad Pro 13" (M4) leads on portability (94 vs 92).
Value for money
iPad Pro 13" (M4)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
iPad Pro 13" (M4) more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $1,499).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only | iPad Pro 13" (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M5 | Apple M4 (9C CPU / 10C GPU) |
| Display size | 13" | — |
| Storage | 256GB | 256 GB – 2 TB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi + Cellular | — |
| Release year | 2025 | — |
| Display | — | 13″ Tandem OLED, 120Hz, 2752×2064 |
| RAM | — | 8 / 16 GB |
| Weight | — | 579 g |
| Battery | — | 38.99 Wh |
| OS | — | iPadOS 18 |
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only
- +M5 performance in a tablet
- +Tandem OLED display
- +Apple Pencil Pro support
- −iPadOS multitasking still limited
- −Keyboard sold separately
- −Pricey for casual use
iPad Pro 13" (M4)
- +Tandem OLED with true HDR
- +M4 performance in a tablet
- +Thinnest Apple device ever
- −iPadOS still window-limited
- −Keyboard sold separately
- −Pricey for casual use
FAQ: iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only vs iPad Pro 13" (M4)
Which is better, iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only or iPad Pro 13" (M4)? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only worth the price? +
At $1,499, iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in display.
Is iPad Pro 13" (M4) worth the price? +
At $1,299, iPad Pro 13" (M4) delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in display.
Does iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only or iPad Pro 13" (M4) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for portability, iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only or iPad Pro 13" (M4)? +
iPad Pro 13" (M4) — leads on portability (94 vs 92). Compared on the portability sub-score.
Which is the better value, iPad Pro 13" (M5) · 256GB · Wi-Fi + Cellular · Tablet only or iPad Pro 13" (M4)? +
iPad Pro 13" (M4) — more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $1,499). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.