All signs indicate Apple’s M5 iPad Pro launch is imminent. Even though Apple hasn’t made any announcements yet, here’s why I’m already convinced to splurge on two optional M5 iPad Pro upgrades.
I skipped nano-texture and extra RAM with my M4 iPad Pro
Last year, the M4 iPad Pro arrived as the kind of major hardware overhaul the iPad Pro hadn’t gotten in years.
With a beautiful Ultra Retina XDR display, ultra-thin design, greatly improved Magic Keyboard, the M4 chip and more, Apple offered plenty of reasons to upgrade.
Soon, the M5 iPad Pro will be unveiled. Rumors indicate it will be a more iterative, spec bump-type update.
The iPad Pro is my primary computer where I do all my work, so I’m eager to get the latest and greatest version regardless.
But this year, I plan to splurge on two optional upgrades I skipped with my M4 model.
- Nano-texture display
- More RAM
When I bought my M4 iPad Pro, I was intrigued by the nano-texture display option. But there weren’t yet a ton of reviews heaping praise upon it, so it was easier to pass on the pricey upgrade.
As for memory, Apple offered 8GB in its 256GB and 512GB storage models, while shipping 16GB in the 1TB and 2TB options.
I liked the idea of more RAM, but didn’t need the extra storage—and iPadOS didn’t yet provide a reason to justify splurging for 16GB.
With the M5 model this year though, things have changed.
Why I’m ready to go all-in with M5 iPad Pro upgrades
Now that nano-texture iPad Pros have been widely available for nearly 18 months, the verdict seems clear: if you work outside or near windows a lot, nano-texture is absolutely worth it.
Here’s my colleague Chance last year:
The combination of the nano-texture finish and the incredible brightness of the Ultra Retina XDR screen makes the iPad Pro the perfect outdoor computer…The nano-texture finish essentially unlocks a whole new world where I can comfortably use my iPad Pro.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve dealt with problematic glare on my iPad Pro over the past year, whether from working outside or just at an unfortunate angle in a coffee shop. Nano-texture is one of the main reasons I’m excited to buy the M5 iPad Pro.
As for RAM, iPadOS 26 has absolutely changed how much importance I place on computing power.
For years, iPad hardware outpaced its software in every way. So the prospect of a more powerful chip, or higher amounts of RAM, did little to excite me.
This year though, iPadOS 26 has made me want the most powerful iPad possible. Its new windowing system and other productivity tools would absolutely benefit from more RAM and an upgraded M5 chip.
Thus, I plan to buy an iPad Pro within Apple’s higher RAM tier this year.
M5 iPad Pro upgrades: wrap-up
There’s no guarantee Apple will offer nano-texture and higher RAM tiers with its M5 model, but I’d be very surprised if they didn’t.
Nano-texture has become increasingly common in Apple’s product line, so I don’t see them removing the option this year any time soon.
And recent leaks indicate the base M5 iPad Pro will have 12GB of RAM. That’s higher than the M4 base model’s 8GB, but lower than the 16GB on other M4 models. So it’s highly unlikely that M5 models will max out below 16GB.
After years of powerful iPad hardware being a mismatch for constrained software, I’m excited to tap into the full potential of iPadOS 26 by buying the most powerful iPad possible.
What are your upgrade plans regarding the M5 iPad Pro? Let us know in the comments.
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