Apple fans, the moment we’ve been waiting for is finally here! Apple has officially unveiled the MacBook Pro M5, and while it’s always exciting when a new MacBook hits the shelves, this time around the buzz is a little… complicated. The M5 chip promises better performance, but the big question on everyone’s mind is: Is this upgrade actually worth it over the M4 MacBook Pro?
Let’s break down everything you need to know in this in-depth comparison between the MacBook Pro M5 vs M4, from performance gains to display quality, connectivity, battery life, and pricing.
🚀 What’s New in the M5 MacBook Pro?
At first glance, the M5 MacBook Pro looks nearly identical to its predecessor. Apple clearly stuck with the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” design philosophy. But inside? That’s where the magic—or minimal evolution—happens.
✅ The Real Upgrade: The M5 Chip
The biggest (and pretty much only) major update is the new M5 chip, which offers:
- 12% CPU performance improvement over the M4
- 36% better GPU performance
- Faster Neural Engine for AI and machine learning tasks
- Increased unified memory bandwidth: from 120GB/s (M4) to 153GB/s (M5)
For power users working in video editing, 3D rendering, or AI development, that GPU boost and memory bandwidth improvement could genuinely help. But for the average user or even most pros? The performance difference may not be as noticeable day to day.
📊 M5 vs M4 MacBook Pro: Spec-by-Spec Comparison
Let’s break it down side-by-side.
| Feature | MacBook Pro M4 | MacBook Pro M5 |
| Chipset | M4 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) |
| CPU | 4 performance cores + 6 efficiency cores | Same, but higher clock speeds |
| GPU | 10 cores | Same core count, 36% better performance |
| RAM Options | 16GB / 24GB / 32GB | Same options |
| Memory Bandwidth | 120GB/s | 153GB/s |
| Display | 14.2″ Liquid Retina XDR | Same (mini-LED, 120Hz ProMotion) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Same |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | Same |
| Thunderbolt | 4 | Still Thunderbolt 4 (no TB5) |
| HDMI | HDMI 2.1 | Same |
| Price | $1,599 starting | Same |
🖥️ Display: Still Excellent, But No Change
Both the M4 and M5 MacBook Pro feature a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, powered by mini-LED tech. You still get:
- 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate
- Incredible brightness and contrast
- Beautiful color accuracy
No OLED just yet—that’s expected in the next generation. Apple is clearly squeezing every drop of life out of the mini-LED panels. So, while the display is still excellent, it’s identical to the M4 version. No reason to upgrade here.
⚡ Performance: Real Gains or Just Hype?
If we’re being honest, the performance boost from the M4 to M5 is modest at best—unless you’re doing very specific GPU-heavy or AI-driven tasks.
🔧 CPU
- Both chips use the same 10-core configuration.
- M5 delivers 12% faster CPU performance, mainly from higher clock speeds.
- For regular tasks—web browsing, email, coding, office work—you’ll likely see no difference.
🎮 GPU
- This is where the M5 starts to shine.
- 36% better GPU performance.
- Great news for video editors, animators, and 3D artists.
- Improved ray tracing and neural processing.
If your work is GPU-intensive, the M5 might be worth considering.
🔌 Ports & Connectivity: Stuck in the Past?
Sadly, Apple didn’t give us much to be excited about in this department:
- Still Thunderbolt 4 (no Thunderbolt 5, even though the M4 Max already has it)
- Wi-Fi 6E, not the newer Wi-Fi 7 or custom Apple N1 chip
- Bluetooth 5.3 remains unchanged
- HDMI 2.1 and the same number of external display support
Basically, zero upgrades here.
This is one of the biggest disappointments of the M5 MacBook Pro. For a device aimed at pros, the lack of modern connectivity options—especially Thunderbolt 5—is a missed opportunity.
🔋 Battery Life & Charging: Same Numbers
Battery-wise, nothing’s changed:
- 72.4Wh battery
- Apple claims up to 24 hours of video playback
- Same 70W USB-C charger included, with optional 96W fast charger
Even though the M5 chip may be slightly more efficient, real-world battery gains are likely minimal to none. Apple hasn’t increased their estimates, which is telling.
💰 Pricing: At Least That’s Unchanged
Good news! Apple didn’t raise prices.
- The base model starts at $1,599.
- You get 16GB of unified RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.
This is especially important since the spec bumps aren’t that big. At least you’re not paying more for the same experience.
🎁 Bonus: iPhone 17 Pro Max Giveaway!
As a little cherry on top, there’s a giveaway happening for an iPhone 17 Pro Max in Cosmic Orange (with 256GB storage and physical SIM support). This is part of an international giveaway running until mid-January 2026.
To enter:
- Comment below what tech gear you’re hoping to get before the end of 2025.
- Subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated.
More info will drop closer to the draw, so stay tuned!
🚨 Beware of scammers pretending to be part of the giveaway on WhatsApp or Telegram. Only follow announcements made directly on the official channel.
🧠 Final Verdict: Should You Buy the M5 MacBook Pro?
Here’s the honest truth:
The MacBook Pro M5 is a performance bump, not a generational leap.
📈 Upgrade if:
- You’re coming from an M1 or Intel MacBook Pro
- You do GPU-intensive work like video editing, game dev, AI/ML tasks
- You need the best possible performance today, regardless of cost
🛑 Skip or Wait if:
- You already have an M4 or even M3 MacBook Pro
- Your work isn’t demanding heavy CPU or GPU resources
- You’re hoping for Thunderbolt 5, OLED, or Wi-Fi 7
In short, if you can grab an M4 MacBook Pro at a discounted price, that may be the better value buy in 2025—especially with Black Friday just around the corner.
