Versus Engine
Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED) vs iPad (A16)
Specs, price and the one trade-off that actually decides it — Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED) against iPad (A16), side by side.
Cheaper to start
Tie
Both start at a similar price.
Best ecosystem
Tie
Neither lists native integrations.
Standout
Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED)
Apple M5 chip
Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED)
Apple's professional tablet with a Tandem OLED display and the M5 processor.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Stunning display
- Desktop-class performance
- Advanced eSIM technology
- LiDAR Scanner
- Support for Apple Pencil Pro
Cons
- iPadOS still limits multitasking
Specifications
- Camera12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Operating SystemiPadOS
- 10-core CPU10-core CPU with 4 super cores and 6 efficiency cores
- 10-core GPU10-core GPU
- 12MP Wide camera12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
- 5G (sub-6 GHz)5G (sub-6 GHz) with 4x4 MIMO
- 5G, Gigabit LTE, and Wi-Fi callingavailable in select markets and through select carriers. Speeds are based on theoretical throughput and vary based on site conditions and carrier
- 9-core CPU9-core CPU with 3 super cores and 6 efficiency cores
- Apple IntelligenceApple Intelligence 4
- Apple Pencil supportApple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)
- BluetoothBluetooth 6
- Buttons and Connectors / Microphone—
- Buttons and Connectors / Smart Connector—
- Buttons and Connectors / Speaker—
- Buttons and Connectors / Top button/Touch ID sensor—
- Buttons and Connectors / USB-C connector—
- Buttons and Connectors / Volume up/down—
- Camera / Features—
- Camera / Main—
- Capacity—
- Cellular data plansold separately. The model you purchase is configured to work with a particular cellular network technology. Check with your carrier for compatibility and cellular data plan availability
- Charging and Expansion / Display Support—
- Charging and Expansion / USB-C port—
- ChipApple M5 chip
- Chip / Model—
- Chip / Neural Engine—
- Data onlyData only 8
- Digital zoomup to 5x
- displayUltra Retina XDR
- Display / Brightness—
- Display / Coating—
- Display / Size—
- Display / Supports—
- Display / Technology—
- Displaysrounded corners. When measured diagonally as a rectangle, the 13-inch iPad Pro is 13 inches, and the 11-inch iPad Pro is 11.1 inches. Actual viewable area is less
- eSIMeSIM 9
- Face IDEnabled by TrueDepth camera for facial recognition
- FaceTime callingrequires a FaceTime-enabled device for the caller and recipient and a Wi-Fi connection. Availability over a cellular network depends on carrier policies; data charges may apply
- Fast-charge capableUp to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max or other USB-C power adapter capable of providing 60W or higher (adapters sold separately) 13
- FDD-LTEFDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71)
- FDD-LTE BandsBands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71
- Finish—
- Gigabit LTEGigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO
- iPad Pro uses advanced eSIM technologyfor more convenience and security (not compatible with physical SIM cards)
- iPadOScomes with powerful features and built-in apps designed to take advantage of the unique capabilities of iPad
- Media EngineHardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
- Models A3358 and A33615G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n77, n78, n79) 7
- Models A3358 and A3361 5G NR BandsBands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n77, n78, n79
- Nano-texture display glass optionon 1TB and 2TB models
- Power and BatteryBuilt-in 38.99-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
- Power and Battery / Battery—
- Power and Battery / Usage—
- processorApple M5
- SDR brightness1000 nits max
- SensorsFace ID, LiDAR Scanner, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Ambient light sensors
- Size and weightvary by configuration and manufacturing process
- Size and Weight / Depth—
- Size and Weight / Height—
- Size and Weight / Wi-Fi + Cellular models weight—
- Size and Weight / Wi-Fi models weight—
- Size and Weight / Width—
- TD-LTETD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48)
- TD-LTE BandsBands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48
- thickness5.1mm
- UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPAUMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- Up to 4K AirPlayfor mirroring, photos, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or AirPlay-enabled smart TV
- USB-C Digital AV Multiport AdapterVGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately) 11
- Video Recording / 1080p HD—
- Video Recording / 4K—
- Video Recording / Extended dynamic range—
- Video Recording / Slo-mo—
- Video Recording / Video image stabilization—
- Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO 6
- Wi-Fi + Cellular modelsUp to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network
- Wi-Fi 7available in countries and regions where supported
- Wi-Fi callingWi-Fi calling 7
- XDR brightness1000 nits max full screen, 1600 nits peak (HDR content only)
iPad (A16)
11-inch iPad with A16 chip, 128GB-512GB storage, Liquid Retina display, and advanced camera features.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Robust camera system with advanced features like digital zoom and 4K video recording.
- Supports Apple Pencil for enhanced productivity and creativity.
Cons
- Limited storage options with no expandability.
- Dependence on proprietary accessories like the Apple Pencil.
Specifications
- CameraFront, to the right of display, Back
- Operating SystemiPadOS
- 10-core CPU—
- 10-core GPU—
- 12MP Wide camera—
- 5G (sub-6 GHz)—
- 5G, Gigabit LTE, and Wi-Fi calling—
- 9-core CPU—
- Apple Intelligence—
- Apple Pencil support—
- Bluetooth—
- Buttons and Connectors / MicrophoneFront, to the right of display, Back
- Buttons and Connectors / Smart ConnectorLeft side
- Buttons and Connectors / Speakertop, bottom
- Buttons and Connectors / Top button/Touch ID sensorTop
- Buttons and Connectors / USB-C connectorBottom
- Buttons and Connectors / Volume up/downRight side
- Camera / FeaturesDigital zoom up to 5x, Five-element lens, Autofocus with Focus Pixels, Panorama (up to 63MP), Smart HDR 4, Photo geotagging, Auto image stabilization, Burst mode, Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
- Camera / Main12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Capacity128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Cellular data plan—
- Charging and Expansion / Display SupportSupports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors, Supports one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz, Native DisplayPort output over USB-C, VGA, HDMI, and DVI output supported using adapters (sold separately), Up to 4K AirPlay for mirroring, photos, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or AirPlay-enabled smart TV
- Charging and Expansion / USB-C portCharging, DisplayPort, USB 2.0 (up to 480Mb/s)
- Chip—
- Chip / ModelA16 chip
- Chip / Neural Engine16-core
- Data only—
- Digital zoom—
- display—
- Display / Brightness500 nits
- Display / CoatingFingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
- Display / Size11-inch display with rounded corners, screen is 10.86 inches when measured diagonally as a rectangle
- Display / SupportsApple Pencil (USB-C), Apple Pencil (1st generation) with USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter
- Display / TechnologyLED backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
- Displays—
- eSIM—
- Face ID—
- FaceTime calling—
- Fast-charge capable—
- FDD-LTE—
- FDD-LTE Bands—
- FinishSilver, Blue, Pink, Yellow
- Gigabit LTE—
- iPad Pro uses advanced eSIM technology—
- iPadOS—
- Media Engine—
- Models A3358 and A3361—
- Models A3358 and A3361 5G NR Bands—
- Nano-texture display glass option—
- Power and Battery—
- Power and Battery / BatteryBuilt-in 28.93-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
- Power and Battery / UsageUp to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video, Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network
- processor—
- SDR brightness—
- Sensors—
- Size and weight—
- Size and Weight / Depth0.28 inch (7 mm)
- Size and Weight / Height9.79 inches (248.6 mm)
- Size and Weight / Wi-Fi + Cellular models weight1.06 pounds (481 grams)
- Size and Weight / Wi-Fi models weight1.05 pounds (477 grams)
- Size and Weight / Width7.07 inches (179.5 mm)
- TD-LTE—
- TD-LTE Bands—
- thickness—
- UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA—
- Up to 4K AirPlay—
- USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter—
- Video Recording / 1080p HD25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- Video Recording / 4K24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- Video Recording / Extended dynamic rangefor video up to 30 fps
- Video Recording / Slo-mo1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Video Recording / Video image stabilizationCinematic video stabilization (1080p and 720p), Continuous autofocus video, Playback zoom
- Wi-Fi—
- Wi-Fi + Cellular models—
- Wi-Fi 7—
- Wi-Fi calling—
- XDR brightness—