Apple iPad Pro 13 with M5 Chip Leaks in Early Unboxing and Benchmark Tests

Apple’s new iPad Pro 13 with the M5 chip has already made its first unofficial appearance, courtesy of a Russian YouTuber who managed to get their hands on the device ahead of its official launch.

While Apple is expected to formally unveil the next generation of iPads later this fall, possibly in October, the early unboxing video gives us a detailed first look at what’s changed – and, just as importantly, what hasn’t.

The packaging of the M5 iPad Pro remains virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor. The box design is identical to that of the M4 model, and so is the aluminum construction, the familiar 13-inch display size, and even the available color options. Accessories and cases designed for the 2024 M4 iPad Pro will also fit seamlessly with the 2025 edition, confirming that the external design is untouched. Apple’s decision underscores a strategy we’ve seen before: prioritize internal hardware upgrades while maintaining a consistent design language for professional users who value accessory compatibility.

The real story lies beneath the surface. The M5 chip is the heart of this upgrade, delivering tangible performance gains. Benchmark tests highlight this clearly. In Geekbench 6, the new iPad Pro scored 4,133 in single-core tests and 15,437 in multi-core, representing roughly a 10% and 15% uplift compared to the M4 variant. That might not seem revolutionary, but it consolidates Apple’s claim of holding onto the title of the fastest CPU core in the mobile market. The GPU, however, tells an even more compelling story: with a score of 74,568 in Geekbench’s GPU benchmark, the M5 outpaces the M4’s 55,702 by a striking 33% margin. That’s a significant leap for creative professionals relying on the iPad for video editing, 3D design, or advanced photo manipulation.

Another key change comes in memory. While the 256GB storage version of last year’s iPad Pro offered 8GB of RAM, the M5 model bumps this up to 12GB, giving more breathing room for multitasking and intensive workflows. Apple has also quietly increased the L2 cache by 50%, a subtle but important improvement that enhances overall responsiveness. Interestingly, while the AnTuTu v10 benchmark puts the M5 iPad Pro slightly ahead of the M4 – 3,137,936 versus 2,897,765 points – the older model oddly scores higher in certain CPU metrics, a quirk that has already sparked speculation among enthusiasts.

From the outside, the M5 iPad Pro may look like déjà vu, but inside, it is a serious evolutionary step. Apple is betting that professional users don’t need design fireworks every year; they need steady performance growth, more memory headroom, and the fastest silicon in the business. If the leaked benchmarks are any indication, the M5 iPad Pro delivers exactly that, positioning itself as one of the most powerful tablets ever released.