Apple’s M5 chip brings a big GPU upgrade for AI and gaming, debuts in new MacBook Pro 14, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro

Apple’s latest processor is making its debut in the 2025 MacBook Pro 14 laptop, the latest iPad Pro, and an updated Apple Vision Pro headset.

Compared with the previous-gen Apple M4 chip, the new Apple M5 processor brings up to a 15 boost in CPU performance, almost 30 percent more memory bandwidth and big upgrades to graphics and AI performance thanks to a next-gen GPU that Apple says delivers “over 4x the peak GPU compute performance.”

That doesn’t mean games will run four times faster though – the reason for the upgraded GPU is the same for most things tech-related in 2025: AI.

Apple says the new chips bring ray-tracing and shader improvements, and overall graphics performance should be up to 45% faster, so you should see some improvements in gaming, video editing, and other activities that leverage the GPU.

But with 10 next-gen GPU cores, each with its own Neural Accelerator, and unified memory with 153GB/s bandwidth, Apple says users can expect a big boost in on-device AI performance. Among other things, Apple says this will come into play when running large language models locally or using diffusion models in graphics applications. Apple says compared with a previous-gen model featuring an M4 processor, the GPU in a new MacBook Pro 14 delivers up to 3.5X the AI performance

The chip also features an improved 16-core Neural Engine that can be leveraged for other AI features including generating images using the Image Playground app, or transforming 2D photos into spatial scenes using the Photos app on Apple Vision Pro devices.

The new MacBook Pro 14 is up for pre-order now for $1599 and up and it should be available starting October 22. Entry-level models have just 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but the laptop can be configured with up to 32GB of unified memory and up to a 4TB SSD. The laptop ships standard with an M4 chip featuring a 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores.

Other features include a 14.2 inch, 3024 x 1964 pixel, 120 Hz display, a 72.4 Wh battery, three Thunderbolt 4 ports and HDMI and headset jacks, an SDXC card reader, and a MagSafe 3 connector.

Apple’s new iPad Pro, meanwhile, starts at $999 and comes with a choice of 11 inch or 13 inch OLED displays and comes with a choice of 9-core or 10-core CPU options (the 9-core chip has 3 performance cores instead of 4). The base configuration comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but the tablet can be configured with up to 16GB of memory and 2TB of storage.

The refreshed Apple Vision Pro sells continues to sell for $3500 and up and features a 10-core M5 CPU. Its micro OLED displays now support 120 Hz refresh rates (the original topped out at 100 Hz).

Compared with the Apple M2 chip in the original Vision Pro, Apple says the new model “makes AI-powered features run up to 50 percent faster for system experiences — like capturing a Persona or transforming photos into spatial scenes — and up to 2x faster for third-party apps.”

The new model also comes with a cushioned Dual Knit Band.