Apple M5: The AI ​​Leap Powering Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro

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Apple has finally released its new brain for Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro: the M5. It comes with a clear focus on artificial intelligence and a completely revised GPU to accelerate local models and modern graphics. This third-generation 3-nanometer chip redefines the balance between power, efficiency, and AI capabilities., and is already beginning to roll out to several devices in the home.

Beyond the headlines, the M5 brings measurable improvements across the board: CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, memory, and battery life. We're talking much faster AI workloads, a significant boost to graphics performance with third-generation ray tracing, and skyrocketing memory bandwidth., all with the efficiency that characterizes Apple Silicon.

What is the Apple M5 and why it marks a turning point?

The M5 is a 3nm (3rd generation) system-on-chip with up to 10 CPU cores (up to 6 efficiency and up to 4 performance) and a new 10-core GPU. The big news is in the GPU, which integrates a dedicated Neural Accelerator in each core. to accelerate graph-based AI inference and raise the performance ceiling.

According to official data, peak AI performance via the GPU can exceed that of the M4 by more than four times, and that of the M1 by six times in specific scenarios. Furthermore, the purely graphical jump is close to 45% compared to the M4. thanks to improvements in shader cores, third-generation ray tracing, and redesigned dynamic caching (second generation).

In the CPU, Apple maintains its philosophy of high-performance cores combined with high-efficiency cores. The company reports increases of up to 15% in multithreading tasks compared to the M4., supported not only by frequencies and microarchitecture, but also by a wider memory subsystem.

The M5's architecture isn't just about hardware: it's deeply aligned with Apple's environments. Apps that already use Core ML, Metal Performance Shaders, or Metal 4 scale their performance automatically., and developers can directly program Neural Accelerators using Metal 4's Tensor APIs, even from Objective ‑ C.

AI at the core: GPU accelerators and 16-core Neural Engine

The focus of the M5 is on on-device AI, private and cloud-free. The GPU incorporates a per-core neural accelerator, which boosts the execution speed of diffusion models and large local language models in tools like Draw Things, LM Studio or web platforms like webAI.

The Neural Engine maintains the 16 cores, but raises the bar in performance and efficiency. It helps accelerate Apple Intelligence and improve experiences such as image generation or contextual transcription in system apps., and also powers advanced workflows in Vision Pro, such as converting 2D images into spatial scenes more quickly.

In numbers, Apple outlines different scenarios. In the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5, AI workloads achieve up to 3,5 times the performance of the M4 model, a figure that coincides with the “more than 4 times” ceiling cited for the GPU in maximum AI tests.

Third-generation graphics, gaming, and ray tracing

The M5's graphical thrust isn't limited to AI. The new GPU integrates improvements to the shader cores, Third-generation ray tracing that speeds up apps that leverage it by up to 45% and dynamic caching (second generation) that optimizes resource usage.

Practical consequence? Smoother gaming, faster rendering in complex scenes, and more realistic graphics in 3D apps. Additionally, in Vision Pro, the M5 enables 10% more pixels to be rendered on micro-OLEDs and the refresh rate to be increased to 120Hz, reducing motion blur and improving sharpness.

Faster CPU, efficiency and real autonomy

The M5's 10-core CPU boasts "the world's fastest core" according to Apple, and it's accompanied by a highly tuned efficiency suite. In multi-threaded loads, improvements compared to M4 reach up to 15–20% depending on the scenario., with special impact on code compilation, multitasking and creative processes.

Applied to the product, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 benefits from this efficiency with a battery life of up to 24 hours. No loss of performance when running on battery, and also offers fast charging up to 50% in about 30 minutes with compatible 96W or higher chargers.

Faster unified memory: 153 GB/s and larger AI models

Unified memory bandwidth increases by almost 30% compared to M4, reaching 153 GB/s. This increase is key for moving larger AI models locally and for heavy 3D scenes., in addition to providing fluidity to the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine.

The M5 supports configurations up to 32GB of unified memory in its base version, enough for parallel creative suites (Photoshop, Final Cut Pro) and to run more demanding local machine learning models. In Vision Pro, this muscle translates into richer spatial scenes and more agile execution. of its vision and graphics capabilities.

Software and APIs: Transparent acceleration and granular control

Apps using Core ML, MPS, or Metal 4 get an immediate boost without touching any code. Those who need to push the limits can go directly to the Metal 4 Tensor APIs to program the Neural Accelerators. and precisely control how loads are distributed between GPUs, accelerators, and the Neural Engine, using best IDEs for programming.

On the Apple Intelligence front, the M5 improves response times and the quality of on-device models, with multilingual support in beta for languages ​​such as Spanish, German, French, English, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Brazilian Portuguese. There are also benefits for developers with Foundation Models integrated into the ecosystem., which take advantage of unified memory and the neural engine.

Devices that are launching the M5 and those that could receive it

From the outset, the M5 debuts on three fronts: 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision ProThey all share the ambition to power on-device AI, accelerate creation, and maintain the energy efficiency for which Apple Silicon is known.

Looking at the calendar and previous cycles, the rest of the ecosystem is expected to be updated gradually. Various sources point to MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac mini throughout 2026., and an iPad Air later. As always, the exact timing will depend on Apple's roadmap and demand.

14-inch MacBook Pro with M5: Faster, more autonomous

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 combines performance, battery life, and a stunning display. The announced autonomy is up to 24 hours, and next-generation SSD storage speeds up tasks like importing RAW or exporting large video compared to the previous generation.

In comparative figures provided by the brand, notable improvements are cited: Topaz AI Video up to 7,7x vs. M1 and 1,8x vs. M4; 3D rendering in Blender up to 6,8x compared to M1 and 1,7x compared to M4; and frame rates in games up to 3,2x compared to M1 and 1,6x compared to M4.

The device features a 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with the option of nano-textured glass to reduce reflections, a 12 MP camera with Center Stage, a six-speaker system with spatial audio, and extensive connectivity (Thunderbolt, HDMI, SDXC, audio, and MagSafe 3). It arrives with macOS Tahoe, which features a new design, quick actions in Spotlight, and new Apple Intelligence features. such as Real-Time Translation or smarter shortcuts.

Available in space black and silver, the price starts at €1.829. It's now available for pre-order and will be on sale with availability set for October 22nd. through official channels and authorized distributors, with storage configuration options up to 4 TB.

iPad Pro with M5: Thin, powerful, and ready for future connectivity

The iPad Pro with M5 comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, with a thinner, lighter chassis and an Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED, 1.600 nits peak brightness, and improved color accuracy. In AI, its performance can be up to 3,5x higher than that of the model with M4 under certain loads, taking advantage of the GPU with accelerators and the revamped Neural Engine.

In terms of connectivity, the media reports the addition of the N1 wireless chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, as well as a C1X modem in cellular versions with an increase of up to 50% in mobile speed compared to the previous generation. iPadOS 26 adds improved windowed multitasking and a redesigned Liquid Glass experience., and the Preview app lets you edit PDFs with Apple Pencil Pro.

In Spain, prices start at €1.099 for the 11-inch model and €1.449 for the 13-inch model, with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular variants. Nanotextured finish and space black and silver colors are available. depending on configuration.

Apple Vision Pro with M5: Sharper, faster spatial scenes

The arrival of the M5 to Vision Pro strengthens the creation and playback of immersive content. Functions that convert 2D images into spatial scenes gain speed and efficiency, while 10% more pixel rendering and 120Hz refresh rate improve clarity, fluidity and reduce motion blur.

M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra? What to expect from the family

As with previous generations, more powerful variants of the M5 are anticipated for the next product cycle. There is talk of M5 Pro and M5 Max as new generation professional laptops., and a possible M5 Ultra intended for high-performance desktops (Mac Studio, Mac Pro), although its fit will depend on Apple's schedule and strategy.

Time windows are subject to change, but looking at the history of M3 and M4, It wouldn't be strange to see the M5 Pro/Max months after the base M5There are also rumors that the MacBook Pro OLED could debut them, and that computers like the Mac mini, iMac, or Mac Studio could receive the M5 in 2026.

Other industry reports suggest advanced 3D packaging (SoIC) for the more capable M5s and the separation of the CPU and GPU in the higher-performance versions to improve thermal management and graphics production efficiency. There's even mention of Thunderbolt 5 support for future compact desktop machines., although, as always, we have to wait for official confirmation.

Performance compared to previous generations and Intel

Those coming from Intel or M1 processors will find a clear jump. Regarding Intel, Metrics shared by Apple cite up to 86x in AI, 30x in ray tracing, and 5,5x in CPU Based on internal testing. If you upgrade from M1, you can see up to a 6x improvement in AI with 6,8x faster ray tracing and up to 2x faster CPU.

The key is not just the peak, but consistency. The M5's sustained performance holds its own even when away from the plug., something that not all PC laptops can guarantee, and which allows for extended work and gaming sessions without significant thermal throttling.

Sustainability: 2030 goals and recycled materials

Apple maintains its Apple 2030 plan for carbon neutrality by the end of the decade, reducing emissions from materials, electricity, and transportation. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 includes 45% recycled materials by weight. (100% recycled aluminum in the housing, 100% recycled rare earths in the magnets, and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery), and 55% of the electricity in the production chain comes from renewable sources.

The packaging is made of 100% recyclable fiber and meets strict energy efficiency and chemical safety standards. Programs like Apple Trade In help extend the life cycle and reduce waste., offering discounts when you trade in a valid old device.

Prices, reservations and availability

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 starts at €1.829 (€1.699 with education discount) and is available for pre-order now, with availability scheduled for October 22. Offered in space black and silver, with flexible storage and memory configurations within the limits of the chip itself.

The iPad Pro with M5 starts at €1.099 (11-inch) and €1.449 (13-inch), with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular variants. Availability and options may vary by region, language, and system requirements., especially regarding Apple Intelligence features in beta.

With the M5, Apple raises the bar where it counts most: local AI, modern graphics, and real product efficiency. Whether it's accelerating broadcast models, moving complex 3D scenes, or stretching the battery life for a full day, this chip solidifies Apple Silicon's advantage., and opens the door to an M5 Pro/Max (and perhaps Ultra) family that, if forecasts hold, will further expand the gap in performance and capabilities during the next cycle.