iPad Pro M4 vs M5 Refurbished UK (2026): Is M5 Worth Paying More?

The iPad Pro M5 is Apple's newer and faster professional tablet, but that does not automatically make it the best refurbished iPad Pro to buy in 2026. The previous iPad Pro M4 already introduced the ultra-thin redesign, stunning Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display, Apple Pencil Pro support and enormous performance.

For refurbished buyers, the decision becomes even more interesting because the same budget can sometimes buy a newer M5 with less storage or a larger, higher-capacity M4.

Quick answer: buy the M5 if maximum performance, newer hardware and long-term headroom matter most. Buy the M4 if it gives you substantially more storage, a larger display or a meaningful saving. For many people, the M4 is still the better value.

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Tech Market Price Check — 27 August 2026

Current examples available when this guide was updated include:

Prices and availability change. These models are not identical specifications, which is exactly why refurbished buyers should compare more than the processor name.

iPad Pro M4 vs M5: Quick Verdict

🏆 Best overall performance: iPad Pro M5
💷 Best refurbished value: iPad Pro M4
🖥 Best display: Tie — both generations are exceptional
🎨 Best for most creative users: M4 offers outstanding value
🤖 Best for demanding AI workloads: M5
💾 Best storage-per-pound: Often M4
⏳ Best for maximum longevity: M5

The Most Important Difference Is Not the Display

If you are upgrading from an older iPad Pro, the M4 and M5 generations may look almost identical because Apple retained the excellent basic design introduced with M4.

Both offer an Ultra Retina XDR display using tandem OLED technology, ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, excellent HDR capability, deep blacks, Apple Pencil Pro support and Thunderbolt / USB 4 connectivity.

That means you should not pay extra for M5 expecting a dramatically different screen. The major upgrades are inside.

M5 Performance vs M4

The M4 remains exceptionally fast. For web browsing, streaming, Office apps, university work, drawing, photo editing and most iPad games, there is little reason to worry about it becoming slow.

M5 pushes the platform further, particularly for demanding graphics and AI workloads. Apple says M5 provides a substantial increase in AI performance compared with M4, helped by newer GPU architecture and Neural Accelerators.

That matters most if you use professional applications that can actually take advantage of the extra processing capability.

If your typical workload is Safari, Netflix, Notes, Procreate, Lightroom and email, the difference may be much less important than storage, screen size or price.

12GB RAM on Entry M5 Models Is Important

One of the more interesting M5 improvements is memory.

M5 iPad Pro models with 256GB or 512GB storage include 12GB RAM. Higher-capacity versions increase further.

That gives M5 more headroom for demanding multitasking, professional applications and future software.

But don't look at RAM in isolation. A 512GB M4 may still be a better practical purchase than a 256GB M5 if your work involves large video, photo, illustration or project files.

256GB M5 or 512GB M4?

This is one of the most useful refurbished buying questions.

If both fit your budget, ask yourself whether you normally struggle with processor speed or storage space.

Choose 256GB M5 if:
You mainly use cloud storage.
You want the newest processor.
AI or demanding creative workloads matter.
You plan to keep the device for many years.

Choose 512GB M4 if:
You keep large files locally.
You download films and games.
You work with RAW photographs or video.
You want better storage-per-pound.

For many users, doubling storage has a bigger everyday impact than moving from an already extremely fast M4 to M5.

11-inch M5 or 13-inch M4?

This is another place where buying refurbished changes the normal advice.

At the time of our price check, Tech Market had a 13-inch M4 512GB Cellular model at the same £999.99 price as an 11-inch M5 256GB Cellular example.

Those are completely different propositions.

Choose 11-inch M5: portability, newer chip, easier handheld use.

Choose 13-inch M4: larger canvas, multitasking, drawing, keyboard work, video timelines and more storage.

A designer may gain considerably more from a 13-inch workspace than from the newer processor.

Does M5 Have a Better Display?

Not in the way many buyers might expect.

M4 was already the generation that brought Apple's major iPad Pro display transformation: Ultra Retina XDR and tandem OLED.

Both provide the premium Pro experience with:

✓ OLED black levels
✓ Up to 120Hz ProMotion
✓ Excellent HDR performance
✓ Wide P3 colour
✓ True Tone
✓ Apple Pencil hover
✓ Apple Pencil Pro support

If display quality is your main reason for moving from an older LCD iPad Pro, an M4 gives you the big upgrade.

Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard

Both M4 and M5 iPad Pro support Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C.

Apple Pencil Pro adds advanced interactions designed for drawing, illustration, annotation and creative workflows.

Keyboard compatibility should always be checked against the exact iPad size and generation before purchase. Do not assume every older 11-inch or 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard fits the redesigned M4/M5 chassis.

Wi-Fi or Cellular?

Wi-Fi is the best-value choice if you normally use your iPad at home, university or an office.

Cellular is useful for:

✓ frequent travel
✓ field work
✓ navigation
✓ commuting
✓ accessing cloud documents away from Wi-Fi

Modern Cellular iPad Pro models use eSIM, so check that your preferred network supports the plan you want.

Should an M4 Owner Upgrade to M5?

For most people, no.

M4 is still so powerful that upgrading after one generation will rarely provide enough everyday benefit to justify replacing a perfectly good device.

An upgrade makes more sense if you have a specific professional workflow that benefits from M5's additional memory, graphics or AI performance.

Should You Buy M4 Refurbished in 2026?

Absolutely.

M4 is one of the strongest refurbished iPad Pro purchases available because it already gives you the modern design, tandem OLED display, ProMotion, Apple Pencil Pro support and professional-grade performance.

When M4 saves several hundred pounds or gives you more storage than an equivalent-budget M5, it can easily be the smarter purchase.

Condition Grade vs Generation

Don't automatically choose a lower-storage M5 simply because it is newer.

You may encounter situations where the same budget gives you:

Pristine M4 with more storage
versus
Good-condition M5 with less storage.

All Tech Market grades describe cosmetic condition while devices are professionally checked for functionality. If you use a case, moving down one cosmetic grade can sometimes unlock more storage or a newer specification without increasing your budget dramatically.

Final Verdict: M4 or M5?

M5 is technically the better iPad Pro. M4 may be the better purchase.

Choose M5 if you want maximum performance, additional memory on lower-storage configurations and the newest platform.

Choose M4 when the saving allows you to buy considerably more storage, a larger display or simply keep hundreds of pounds in your pocket.

At current refurbished prices, we would rather own the M4 specification that best fits our actual workload than buy M5 purely because the number is newer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is iPad Pro M4 still worth buying in 2026?

Yes. It remains exceptionally powerful and already includes the major tandem OLED display and design upgrades of the modern iPad Pro.

Is M5 much faster than M4?

M5 is faster, particularly for demanding graphics and AI workloads, but ordinary apps already run extremely quickly on M4.

Does M4 support Apple Intelligence?

Yes. Both M4 and M5 support Apple Intelligence where Apple's software, language and regional requirements are met.

Which is better: more storage or M5?

For many normal buyers, more storage on an M4 can be more useful than additional processor performance on M5. Heavy professional users may prefer M5.

Do both work with Apple Pencil Pro?

Yes. Both M4 and M5 iPad Pro generations support Apple Pencil Pro.

Why Buy Refurbished from Tech Market?

Tech Market iPads are professionally checked, available in Pristine, Very Good, Good and Acceptable condition grades and include a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.