Apple has once again struggled to keep its upcoming products under wraps. This time, the M5 iPad Pro has surfaced in a full unboxing video before its official launch, with YouTuber Wylsacom showcasing the new 13-inch model in all its glory. Apple is reportedly investigating how the device slipped into the hands of a creator so early, but for now, tech fans are already dissecting the details of the unboxing and, more importantly, the performance benchmarks.
Wylsacom’s unit is the 256GB variant, and while the thrill of seeing an unreleased Apple product unboxed is undeniable, those hoping for a dramatic design shift might be disappointed. 
From the outside, the M5 iPad Pro looks nearly identical to the M4 model. Apple seems to have taken the iterative route, focusing its energy on refining performance rather than redesigning the chassis. This strategy, while pragmatic, also fuels criticism that the company has been content with small year-over-year changes while charging premium prices.
Where the real action lies is under the hood. Benchmarks show the M5 iPad Pro pulling ahead of its predecessor, though in varying degrees depending on the test. Geekbench 6 reveals single-core gains of around 10 percent and multi-core performance up nearly 16 percent compared to the M4. The standout result, however, comes from the Metal benchmark, where GPU performance climbs by nearly 34 percent – suggesting a noticeable boost in graphics-heavy tasks such as gaming and creative workflows. By contrast, AnTuTu results are modest, with only an 8 percent improvement. These figures highlight that Apple’s biggest strides with the M5 may be in GPU optimization rather than raw CPU muscle.
The reception among enthusiasts and critics is, as always, divided. Supporters argue that Apple has consistently delivered industry-leading efficiency and sustained performance across its silicon lineup, pointing out that even small gains accumulate over time. Detractors counter that benchmarks like Geekbench have long favored Apple’s hardware and aren’t representative of real-world use, calling the tests unreliable and even dismissing them as marketing tools. For many, the broader question remains: are these incremental upgrades enough to justify upgrading from an M4 iPad Pro, especially given the steep price tags?
It’s worth remembering that this isn’t the first time Wylsacom has gotten his hands on unreleased Apple hardware. His early unboxing of the M4 MacBook Pro was quickly followed by Apple’s official launch announcement, suggesting that the company could be preparing to unveil the M5 iPad Pro any day now. If history repeats itself, buyers won’t have to wait long before preorders open.
Apple’s iterative strategy might frustrate those hoping for radical change, but the company clearly bets on steady refinements rather than risky overhauls. The M5 iPad Pro, with its substantial GPU gains but modest CPU uplift, seems aimed at professionals who push graphics performance to the limit – whether in editing, rendering, or high-end tablet gaming. Still, casual users may find little reason to upgrade if they already own last year’s model.
As the debate around benchmarks and Apple’s upgrade cycle rages on, one thing is certain: the company’s ability to dominate attention before even announcing a product shows the enduring grip of its brand. Whether the M5 iPad Pro is a game-changer or just another step in Apple’s slow march forward will soon be judged not by benchmarks, but by how it performs in real users’ hands.