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Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet)

Updated Apr 2026tablets
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The Verdict

The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) and Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet) sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. Both launched at roughly the same price ($999 vs $999), so cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor. The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) stands out for m5 chip with 3.5x ai performance vs m4, while Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet) is praised for copilot+ pc npu with on-device ai features. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.

Who Should Buy

Buy the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) if…

  • M5 chip with 3.5x AI performance vs M4
  • Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display
  • Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip, C1X modem for cellular

Buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet) if…

  • Copilot+ PC NPU with on-device AI features
  • Excellent battery life from Snapdragon X Plus
  • Sharp 13-inch 120Hz PixelSense display

Pros & Cons

Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)

Pros

  • M5 chip with 3.5x AI performance vs M4
  • Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display
  • Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip, C1X modem for cellular
  • Apple Pencil Pro support
  • Thunderbolt / USB 4 connectivity

Cons

  • Starting at $999 is expensive
  • Still 5.1mm thin limits thermal headroom
  • No headphone jack

Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet)

Pros

  • Copilot+ PC NPU with on-device AI features
  • Excellent battery life from Snapdragon X Plus
  • Sharp 13-inch 120Hz PixelSense display
  • Two USB 4 ports for fast external connectivity
  • Removable SSD and Wi-Fi 7 support

Cons

  • Type Cover keyboard and Slim Pen sold separately
  • Some x86 Windows apps still need emulation on ARM
  • Heavier than most Android/iPad tablets
  • Premium pricing once accessories are added

Full Specifications

SpecApple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet)
SoftwareiPadOS 19Windows 11 Home (Copilot+ PC)
Body
Weight444 g895 g
Dimensions249.7 x 177.5 x 5.1 mm287 x 209 x 9.3 mm
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 10 hoursUp to 14 hours local video playback
Capacity53 Wh
Cameras
Rear12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, LiDAR10 MP 4K
Front camera12 MP TrueDepth, Center StageQuad HD ultrawide with Windows Hello
Display
Size11.0 inches13 inches
TypeUltra Retina XDR tandem OLEDPixelSense Flow LCD (OLED optional)
Resolution2420 x 16682880 x 1920
Refresh rate120Hz ProMotion120Hz
Storage
Storage options256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
Expandable storage
Processor
RAM16 GB16 GB LPDDR5x
ChipsetApple M5 (10-core CPU)Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus
Connectivity
USBThunderbolt / USB 42x USB-C / USB 4
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (N1 chip)Wi-Fi 7
Cellular
Stylus Support

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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.

Explore more in tablets, see all Apple products or all Microsoft products. View full details for the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) or the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet).