Versus Engine
Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED) vs Surface Pro 12-inch
Specs, price and the one trade-off that actually decides it — Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED) against Surface Pro 12-inch, 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
- displayUltra Retina XDR
- processorApple M5
- SensorsFace ID, LiDAR Scanner, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Ambient light sensors
- 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)
- Audio—
- Battery capacities—
- Battery life—
- BluetoothBluetooth 6
- Camera12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Cameras—
- 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
- ChipApple M5 chip
- Data onlyData only 8
- Digital zoomup to 5x
- 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
- Exterior—
- 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
- Gigabit LTEGigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO
- Graphics—
- 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
- Kickstand—
- Media EngineHardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
- Memory—
- 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
- NPU—
- Operating SystemiPadOS
- Ports and charging—
- Power and BatteryBuilt-in 38.99-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
- SDR brightness1000 nits max
- Security—
- Size & weight—
- Size and weightvary by configuration and manufacturing process
- 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
- Warranty—
- What's in the box—
- 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)
Surface Pro 12-inch
12-inch touchscreen tablet with a 2196 x 1464 resolution display and up to 16 hours of battery life.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- High-resolution 2196 x 1464 touchscreen display with up to 90Hz refresh rate.
- Up to 16 hours of battery life for local video playback.
- Enhanced security features including Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0 and BitLocker support.
Cons
- Limited storage options starting at 256GB, which may not be sufficient for users with extensive storage needs.
Specifications
- display- Touchscreen: 12-inch PixelSense LCD display 3 - Resolution: 2196 x 1464 (220 PPI) - Aspect ratio: 3:2 - Contrast ratio: 1200:1 - Refresh rate: up to 90Hz (60Hz default) - Color profile: sRGB and Enhanced - Individually color-calibrated display - Adaptive color and contrast - Touch: 10-point multi-touch - Strengthened glass display - Brightness: 400 nits maximum (typical) - Anti-reflective, ISO 9241-307 certified 4
- processor- Snapdragon X Plus (8 Core) X1P-42-100
- Sensors- Ambient color sensor - Accelerometer - Gyroscope - Magnetometer - NFC
- 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—
- Audio- Dual Studio Mics with enhanced voice focus 9 - 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos 10 - Support for Bluetooth LE Audio
- Battery capacities- Battery Capacity Nominal (Wh): 38 - Battery Capacity Min (Wh): 37
- Battery life- Up to 16 hours of local video playback 7 - Up to 12 hours of active web usage 8
- Bluetooth—
- Camera—
- Cameras- Full HD front-facing Surface Studio Camera (1080p) - Windows Studio Effects: automatic framing, portrait blur, creative filters, eye contact, portrait light - 10 MP Ultra HD rear-facing camera - Windows Hello face authentication camera with Enhanced Sign-in Security
- Cellular data plan—
- Chip—
- Data only—
- Digital zoom—
- Displays—
- eSIM—
- Exterior- Casing: Anodized aluminum - Colors: Platinum - Physical Buttons: Volume, Power
- Face ID—
- FaceTime calling—
- Fast-charge capable—
- FDD-LTE—
- FDD-LTE Bands—
- Gigabit LTE—
- Graphics- Qualcomm Adreno GPU
- iPad Pro uses advanced eSIM technology—
- iPadOS—
- Kickstand- Kickstand with 165-degree full-friction hinge
- Media Engine—
- Memory- 16GB, 24GB LPDDR5x RAM
- Models A3358 and A3361—
- Models A3358 and A3361 5G NR Bands—
- Nano-texture display glass option—
- NPU- Qualcomm Hexagon with 45 TOPS
- Operating System—
- Ports and charging- 2 × USB-C with USB4/Thunderbolt 4 ports: - Charging
- Power and Battery—
- SDR brightness—
- Security- Enhanced security with Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0 and BitLocker support - Windows 11 Secured-core PC - Windows Hello facial recognition with Enhanced Sign-in Security - NFC authentication
- Size & weight- Length: 10.8 inch (274 mm) - Width: 7.47 inch (190 mm) - Height: 0.30 inches (7.8 mm) - Weight: 1.5 lbs. (686 g)
- Size and weight—
- TD-LTE—
- TD-LTE Bands—
- thickness—
- UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA—
- Up to 4K AirPlay—
- USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter—
- Warranty1-year limited hardware warranty
- What's in the box- Surface Pro for Business - USB-C charging cable - Surface 45W USB-C Wall Charger 21 (optional in EMEA) - Quick Start Guide - Safety and warranty documents
- Wi-Fi—
- Wi-Fi + Cellular models—
- Wi-Fi 7—
- Wi-Fi calling—
- XDR brightness—