In October 2025, a Geekbench 6 result attributed at the time to a presumed M5 iPad Pro scored 4,133 in single-core testing—enough to top the stock-clocked desktop CPU scores in the comparison reported by Tom’s Hardware. That is a narrow synthetic benchmark result, not evidence that the iPad Pro outperforms desktop computers overall: desktop CPUs can pull ahead in multi-core work and real applications.
What did the leaked M5 iPad Pro benchmark show?
Tom’s Hardware reported the 4,133-point Geekbench 6 single-core result on October 1, 2025, attributing it to a presumed M5 iPad Pro based on a Geekbench listing. The report’s desktop comparison concerned single-thread performance. It also said the M5 result was close to the M4 Max in single-thread performance, while the M4 Max was materially ahead in multi-thread performance. Read Tom’s Hardware’s report.
The wording “outscores desktop CPUs” therefore needs its qualifier: it refers to the reported single-core comparison, not every desktop processor or type of work. Geekbench is a synthetic benchmark; the result does not establish how the tablet performs in a particular professional application or in sustained workloads.
Does the M5 iPad Pro beat desktop CPUs overall?
No broad conclusion follows from this leak. A single-core score measures one thread of benchmark work. Multi-core tests exercise more processing cores, where desktop processors can perform better in highly parallel tasks. A fair comparison also needs the exact desktop CPU and power configuration, benchmark version, and device configuration.
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For practical buying decisions, the benchmark does not show whether an iPad can replace a desktop for a particular workflow. That depends on the applications, operating system capabilities, peripherals, and sustained performance the work requires—none of which the leaked score tested.
The M5 iPad Pro is now an official product
Apple announced the M5 iPad Pro on October 15, 2025, in 11-inch and 13-inch models. The initial result was a leak about a presumed device; it should not be described as a newly leaked, unreleased product today. Apple’s announcement lists an M5 CPU with up to 10 cores and unified memory bandwidth exceeding 150GB/s. Those are product specifications, not additional evidence for the 2025 Geekbench comparison. See Apple’s announcement.
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CPU core counts vary by storage tier
“Up to 10-core CPU” does not describe every M5 iPad Pro configuration. TechRadar reports that 1TB and 2TB models have a 10-core CPU, while 256GB and 512GB models have a 9-core CPU. Identify the storage tier and core count when comparing a device’s result with another chip; do not treat the maximum configuration as universal. TechRadar’s review discusses the configurations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read later Geekbench results
Later Geekbench figures provide context, but they are not a direct continuation of the original score: they use different benchmark versions and come from user-submitted results.
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| Result | Score | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 leak reported October 1, 2025 | 4,133 single-core | Result attributed at the time to a presumed M5 iPad Pro; Tom’s Hardware reported it in a single-thread desktop comparison. Source. |
| Geekbench 7.1.0 submission dated September 25, 2026 | 3,557 single-core; 15,181 multi-core | One user-submitted result for an 11-inch M5 iPad Pro, not the 2025 Geekbench 6 leak. Individual submission. |
| Geekbench 6 model chart, accessed October 4, 2026 | 3,583 single-core; 16,082 multi-core | Chart figures based on user-submitted Geekbench 6 results; displayed values can change as submissions change. Geekbench model chart. |
These numbers should not be compared as if they came from one controlled test. Geekbench 6 and Geekbench 7 are different versions, and an individual submission is not the same thing as a chart figure summarizing user submissions. The single-core 4,133 leak also cannot be set beside a multi-core result to claim an overall winner.
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- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 11-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
What makes an M5-to-desktop comparison fair?
- Match benchmark versions: Keep Geekbench 6 scores separate from Geekbench 7 scores.
- Compare like with like: Single-core results answer a different question from multi-core results.
- Name the configurations: Specify the iPad’s storage tier and CPU core count, as well as the desktop processor and its power configuration.
- Separate synthetic scores from real work: A benchmark does not substitute for results in the applications and sustained workloads that matter to you.
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