Our take: buy whichever one is in stock at a good price, because the two iPad Pros look and feel the same. The M5 is better, but only a little, and mostly in memory and AI. A refurbished M4 is the smarter buy for most people. Pick the M5 if you do heavy AI, 3D or video work, or want the extra memory without paying for 1TB.
But is the M5 really worth paying more for, or can the refurbished M4 deliver almost the same experience? Let's find out.
Apple launched the M4 iPad Pro in May 2024 and the M5 in October 2025. It then stopped selling the M4. So if you want a refurbished iPad Pro today, you are choosing between two models that share a body, a screen and a camera. This guide is about the bits that differ, and whether they're worth paying for.
What actually changed in the M5
Here is every real change, with an honest verdict on each.
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What changed |
Does it matter? |
|---|---|
|
Memory: 12GB on the 256GB and 512GB models, up from 8GB |
Yes. This is the one most people will feel. |
|
Chip: faster CPU and GPU, up to 3.5x faster AI tasks than the M4 |
Only if you run AI tools, 3D or video apps. |
|
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 (new N1 chip) |
Nice, if your router supports Wi-Fi 7. Otherwise no. |
|
Faster cellular modem (C1X), up to 50% faster data |
Nice on cellular models. Skip it on Wi-Fi. |
|
Fast charging, about 50% in 30 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter |
Useful. You need the right charger. |
|
External displays up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync |
Niche. Matters if you plug into a monitor. |
|
Faster storage, up to 2x read and write speeds |
Small, but real for big files. |
That is the full list. The screen, cameras, thickness and design did not change.
Memory is the real story
Apple says the M5 has a faster chip, and it does. But the chip is the part you'll notice least. Memory is the part you'll notice most. The 256GB and 512GB models went from 8GB to 12GB, which Apple calls 50% more. That matters when you run several apps at once, keep lots of tabs open, or work in big projects. The 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB on both generations.
So if you were looking at a 256GB or 512GB iPad Pro, the M5 is a genuine step up from the M4 for multitasking. If you were looking at 1TB or 2TB, memory is a wash, and the case for the M5 shrinks. You can browse both ranges: the M4 iPad Pro and the M5 iPad Pro.
What stayed the same
Both have the tandem OLED display, which is the same panel on both. Both are 5.3mm thin in the 11-inch and 5.1mm in the 13-inch. Both have the same cameras. Both work with Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard. If you're coming from an older iPad, nothing about the M4 will feel dated next to the M5.
Who should buy which?
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Buy the M4 if you want the best value, use your iPad for notes, reading, video, drawing and email, or find a good grade at a good price.
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Buy the M5 if you run AI image tools, 3D apps or heavy video editing, or want 12GB of memory on a 256GB or 512GB model.
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Buy the M5 cellular if you often work on the go and want the faster modem and Wi-Fi 7.
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Don't overthink it if the price gap is small. Take the M5.
11-inch or 13-inch?
The chips and features are identical across both sizes, so this comes down to how you work. The 11-inch is lighter, around 450g, and easier to carry. The 13-inch iPad Pro is around 580g, and the bigger canvas is better for drawing, video editing and two windows side by side. If you plan to use a keyboard a lot, the 13-inch feels closer to a laptop. You can see 11-inch models in the main iPad Pro range.
Buying refurbished: grade, storage and connectivity
A refurbished iPad Pro's price swings a lot, and the generation is only one reason. Grade, storage and connectivity move it just as much. A Fair-grade 256GB model can cost far less than a Premium 2TB one of the same generation. So compare like for like: same size, same storage, same connectivity, same grade.
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Grade: Premium is like new, Excellent has barely visible marks, Good shows light wear, Fair shows noticeable wear. All are fully working. See our grading page.
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Storage: you can't add storage later. 256GB is fine for most people. Choose 1TB or 2TB for big video or design files, and remember that is also where the 16GB of memory starts.
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Cellular: only pick it if you'll use it. It adds to the price.
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Cover: every iPad Pro has a 12-month warranty covering repair or replacement for hardware breakdown, and is tested with Blancco diagnostics.
What we have in stock right now
Stock changes fast. When we checked in October 2026, 6 of 14 iPad Pro listings were in stock. The in-stock listings were priced from £980 for the 11-inch M5 Wi-Fi, £1,285 for the 13-inch M5 Wi-Fi + Cellular (on sale, down from £1,410), £1,350 for the 11-inch M4 Wi-Fi + Cellular, £1,400 for the 13-inch M4 Wi-Fi, and £720 for the 13-inch M4 Wi-Fi + Cellular.
Those prices aren't like for like. They reflect different grades, storage sizes and connectivity, so don't read them as the price gap between M4 and M5. Use the grade and storage filters on the collection page to compare properly.
Compare refurbished iPad Pro models
Ready to compare? Compare refurbished iPad Pro models and filter by size, chip, storage and grade. Don't forget iPad accessories such as a keyboard or Pencil. Orders over £250 ship free, and every device has 30-day returns (conditions apply).
iPad Pro M5 vs M4: FAQs
1. Is the iPad Pro M4 still worth buying?
Yes. The M4 iPad Pro has the same design, the same tandem OLED screen and the same cameras as the M5. You give up some memory, Wi-Fi 7 and faster charging, none of which most people use every day. A good refurbished M4 is often the smarter buy.
2. What is the difference between the iPad Pro M5 and M4?
The M5 has a faster chip, 12GB of memory on the 256GB and 512GB models (the M4 has 8GB), Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, a faster cellular modem and fast charging. The design, screen, cameras and size are the same.
3. How much RAM does the iPad Pro M5 have?
The 256GB and 512GB models have 12GB of memory, up from 8GB on the M4. The 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB on both the M5 and the M4, with a 10-core CPU instead of the 9-core CPU on the smaller models.
4. Does the iPad Pro M4 work with Apple Pencil Pro?
Yes. Both the M4 and M5 iPad Pro support Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard, and the thin design is the same, so accessories fit either model. Check the size, because 11-inch and 13-inch accessories are different.
6. Should I buy the 11-inch or 13-inch iPad Pro?
Choose the 11-inch if you want a lighter tablet you carry everywhere. Choose the 13-inch if you draw, edit video or work with two windows side by side and want the bigger canvas. The chips and features are the same on both sizes.
7. What warranty do refurbished iPad Pros from MacStore UK have?
Every iPad Pro has a 12-month warranty covering repair or replacement for hardware breakdown, whatever the grade. Faulty items can be returned free for 12 months, and our 30-day returns policy applies, with conditions. Every device is tested with Blancco.