Based on the names alone, you’d assume the “Air” would be the thinnest and lightest of the range. That’s the way it works for the new iPhone Air, and for the MacBook Air lineup.
But, when it comes to iPads, that’s not the case. If you want something super slim, it’s actually the iPad Pro you’ll want to look at. It’s Apple’s thinnest product at just 5.1mm thick, making it more svelte than even the Apple Pencil. Which is seriously slim.
It’s not only the portability that makes this appealing, though. This has the “pro” specs to match its name. Essentially, if you want a superthin tablet with laptoplevel speed, plus compatibility with the best accessories, look at the iPad Pro.
You could argue that its capabilities are too much for most users – it would probably be sensible for most of us to make a bit of a saving and going for the great value iPad Air. But, once you’ve used it, the Apple iPad Pro M5 is easily the most tempting tablet on the market. Here’s my handson review.
Apple iPad Pro M5: At a glance
What I like about the iPad Pro M5
This is the most powerful iPad ever made and the new M5 chip is speedy enough to handle any task you throw at it. Unless you’re a professional in a certain field (like animation, videography or design), you’re not going to tap into all its power. But, it gives you loads of headroom and means it’s futureproof for years to come.
Another thing that sets it apart from other iPad models (or any older tablet you may be upgrading from) is its gorgeous display. Its detail is more crisp, colours more vivid and animations more smooth.
This is the same as last year’s iPad Pro, but a big upgrade on all the other tablets in Apple’s range. I’ve been viewing highresolution photos and watching Planet Earth II on this display, and the richness and clarity on offer are astounding.
Another key upgrade compared to your current iPad? The design. This skinny tablet (it’s either 5.3 or 5.1mm thick, depending on the size) still feels impossible. It’s slimmer than any iPhone, thinner than the Apple Watch, and even more slender than a pencil. It’s also lightweight for easy portability, yet still has a solid and premium build. I love that it has Face ID, unlike other iPads, too. It makes unlocking and certifying payments that much easier and quicker.
Its battery life may match all other iPads, but it has another trick up its sleeve – it’s the first iPad to support faster charging. I put this to the test with an Anker fast charger, and sure enough, it went from zero to 50% in under 28 minutes. This is easily my favourite upgrade, and makes this iPad a great option for everyone from hybrid workers to busy students rushing between lectures.
Like the 2024 iPad Pro, it also works with the best iPad accessories. The Magic Keyboard is worth the additional cost and turns the iPad into a mini laptop. I used it to type this review and can confirm it’s very comfortable. Its aluminium palm rest also makes it feel much more premium than the version available for the iPad Air. The Apple Pencil Pro is brilliant for artists and notetakers, too.
Apple’s latest iPadOS software makes this an excellent tablet for productivity. I was able to pull up multiple overlapping windows while writing and researching this review. Then, when I was done with multitasking, I could flip back to a fullscreen single window mode. That’s ideal for watching Netflix without being distracted by other apps.
It’s worth remembering that these devices are designed to last years, too. This iPad Pro is also now equipped with Apple’s new wireless chips, which means it will have better wifi performance and faster 5G cellular speeds for those using it on the go. You might not notice it in everyday use, but it will be better futureproofed for the coming years of networking tech.
What I don’t like about the iPad Pro M5
The main drawbacks of the iPad Pro are: the steep price (it starts at £999); its power is overkill for most people; the extras (like the Magic Keyboard) are also pricey; and it has a number of software limitations compared to using a Mac laptop.
However, if it’s in your budget, you’re certain you want an iPad, and you want speed to spare, these won’t be major downsides!
The iPad is perfect for creative apps, focused work, reading and entertainment. If that sounds like what you need, go for it. But, the full MacBook experience is going to suit you much more for heavy multitasking. Tablets are great, but they’re not designed to fully replace laptops for all of us.
Lastly, nobody with an iPad Air M4 should consider upgrading. There are a handful of changes, but not enough to justify the extra expense. The faster chip is great but unlikely to be noticeable outside professional work, and the fastcharge ability is more of a nice perk. We recommend this more for those coming from older iPads. If your last iPad is from 2020, the jump in performance will feel massive.
My verdict on the iPad Pro M5
If you must have the latest and greatest, the iPad Pro M5 is arguably the best tablet you can buy. It has an ultrapremium build, stunning display, and is fast, fluid and versatile to use. The refinements between this version and the previous one are minor, but it remains an amazing tablet.
For the majority of users, a less expensive model like the iPad Air will be more than enough. The latest Air also has a highly capable Mseries chip (the M3, in the 2025 models), a great screen and accessory support at a lower cost. But it does lack the highend panel and performance of the Pro.
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, ebook readers and smartphones. He’s reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and moneysaving advice guides and edited thousands of indepth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
