Apple’s new M5 chip focuses on AI for professionals, but brings few visual changes

The Apple made official at an event in Cupertino, in the Estados Unidos, its new generation of processors with the launch of the M5 line. The new chip, which promises up to four times greater performance in artificial intelligence tasks, will equip the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro models. The company highlighted that the advancement is mainly aimed at optimizing workflows for professionals who depend on high processing power.

Despite the leap in internal performance, the external design of the products remains unchanged, a decision that analysts point to as an incremental focus on silicon architecture rather than a visual renovation. Prices start at $1,599 for the MacBook Pro, $999 for the 11-inch iPad Pro, and $3,499 for the upgraded Vision Pro.

The launch comes at a time of internal challenges for the technology giant, which faces fierce competition for retaining talent in its artificial intelligence division, with important departures of executives and engineers in recent months. The company’s strategy, however, remains focused on local processing to ensure privacy and energy efficiency.

Improved performance of the M5 chip

The M5 chip is manufactured using a 3-nanometer process and represents a significant advance in the processing capacity of the Apple. Ele incorporates a neural accelerator in each of its 10 GPU cores, in addition to having a CPU that varies from 9 to 10 cores, depending on the device configuration. Essa architecture allows unified memory bandwidth to reach 153 GB/s, a 30% increase over the M4 generation. No Vision Pro, the M5 works in conjunction with the R1 chip to process information from 12 cameras and multiple sensors in just 12 milliseconds, creating real-time insight with minimal latency. Testes internals at Apple point to up to a 3.5x gain in AI workflows on the MacBook

Updates to flagship devices

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is one of the first to receive the M5 chip in its base version, with options ranging from 16 GB to 32 GB of unified memory and SSD storage from 512 GB to 4 TB. The new generation of storage promises twice the read and write speed compared to the previous model. The chassis, however, maintains the design introduced in previous years, preserving the Liquid Retina XDR screen and the Thunderbolt ports, which indicates that the update was entirely focused on internal performance and energy efficiency, with the battery reaching up to 24 hours of continuous use.

The iPad Pro, available in 11 and 13 inch sizes, uses the power of the M5 to run the new iPadOS 26 with greater fluidity. The device now supports fast charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes with the included 20W USB-C adapter. Connectivity has also been improved with the integration of Wi-Fi 7, ensuring faster and more stable wireless connection speeds, which directly benefits the use of productivity applications and the consumption of high definition content.

Focus on local artificial intelligence

Apple’s strategy with the M5 is clear: power artificial intelligence processing directly on the device, without relying on cloud servers. Essa approach not only increases the speed of task execution, but also reinforces user privacy, one of the brand’s pillars.

Neural Engine, now faster and more efficient, manages complex tasks such as real-time video editing, advanced image recognition, and running large-scale language models with lower power consumption.

Developers who had early access to the chip in September 2025 confirmed its full compatibility with macOS Tahoe and iPadOS 26 systems. The unified memory architecture facilitates multitasking between heavy applications, allowing professionals in areas such as design, programming and audiovisual production to work more agilely.

Challenges in retaining AI talent

As Apple advances in hardware, the company faces a battle to retain its top artificial intelligence experts. Nos last few months, key executives from the AI ​​division left the company, including Ruoming Pang, who led the development of fundamental models and migrated to a direct competitor.

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Since the beginning of 2025, at least a dozen engineers have followed the same path, attracted by superintelligence projects at other companies. The departure of Robby Walker, who was responsible for AI-based web searches, impacted plans to launch new features scheduled for next year.

Researchers like Jian Zhang and Bowen Zhang have also transferred to rival labs focused on robotics and advanced AI. Embora to Apple continues to actively hire to fill these vacancies, the movement of talent highlights the fierce competition in the technology sector for highly qualified professionals.

Detailed technical specifications

The Apple’s new processor was designed to deliver maximum efficiency in intense workloads without compromising battery life or generating overheating. The configuration of 10 GPU cores and up to 10 CPU cores ensures that graphics and computing tasks run smoothly.

The 153 GB/s bandwidth is crucial for the CPU and GPU cores to access the same pool of data quickly, eliminating bottlenecks and optimizing overall system performance, especially in applications that handle large volumes of information, such as 3D rendering and data analysis.

Developers have a set of tools optimized for the M5 at their disposal, allowing them to create applications that exploit the full potential of the Neural Engine. Support for local AI models with billions of parameters opens up new possibilities for smarter, more responsive apps that run directly on your MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, or Vision Pro.

The battery of the new devices also benefited from the chip’s efficiency. Testes carried out by Apple, which involved continuous video playback and web browsing, demonstrated autonomy gains of up to 20% compared to models equipped with the M2 chip, reinforcing the company’s commitment to mobility.

The enhancement of Vision Pro

The Vision Pro, Apple’s spatial computing device, receives the M5 to improve the rendering of virtual environments, making the experience even more fluid and immersive. With the new chip, the device achieves a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, which significantly reduces blur in fast-moving scenes. Battery life has also been improved, and a new accessory, the Dual Knit Band, has been introduced to provide a more comfortable and ergonomic fit during long periods of use.

Perspectives for future updates

Apple is already planning to expand the processor family. The most powerful versions, M5 Pro and M5 Max, are expected in early 2026 and are expected to feature a separate chip design for CPU and GPU, allowing for even more customized core configurations. The MacBook Air, in turn, should receive the base version of the M5 between February and March, maintaining the popular design introduced in 2022.