MacBook Pro M4 Pro vs M5 Pro
The M5 Pro delivers 15-20% better CPU performance and improved efficiency, while the M4 Pro remains a capable machine at lower cost for users not requiring the latest generational gains.
MacBook Pro M4 Pro
Apple's mid-tier chip from May 2024 with up to 12-core CPU and 20-core GPU
Software developers, content creators on budget, web designers, and everyday professional work
MacBook Pro M5 Pro
Apple's latest mid-tier chip from March 2025 with up to 12-core CPU and 24-core GPU
Professional video editors, 3D artists, machine learning engineers, and users demanding maximum sustained performance
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe M5 Pro delivers 15-20% better CPU performance and improved efficiency, while the M4 Pro remains a capable machine at lower cost for users not requiring the latest generational gains.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose M5 Pro if you prioritize maximum performance for video editing, 3D rendering, or machine learning workflows — the 15% CPU uplift justifies the $100 premium for professional users. Choose M4 Pro if you need solid performance for daily coding, web development, and creative work with budget constraints, as the generational difference won't significantly impact most workflows.
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Choose MacBook Pro M4 Pro if
Software developers, content creators on budget, web designers, and everyday professional work
Choose MacBook Pro M5 Pro if
Best pickProfessional video editors, 3D artists, machine learning engineers, and users demanding maximum sustained performance
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Key Differences at a Glance
- CPU Performance (Multi-core):✓ MacBook Pro M5 Pro wins(~14,200 Geekbench 6 points vs ~12,000 Geekbench 6 points)
- GPU Cores (Base Model):✓ MacBook Pro M5 Pro wins(Up to 24 cores vs Up to 20 cores)
- Memory Bandwidth:✓ MacBook Pro M5 Pro wins(150 GB/s vs 120 GB/s)
Key Facts & Figures
25 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | MacBook Pro M4 Pro | MacBook Pro M5 Pro | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores (P-cores + E-cores)(cores) | 12 cores (8P+4E) | 12 cores (8P+4E) | |
| GPU Cores (Maximum)(cores) | 20 cores | 24 cores | -17% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core Score(points) | ~12,000 | ~14,200 | -15% |
| Memory Bandwidth(GB/s) | 120 GB/s | 150 GB/s | -20% |
| Battery Life (Real-world)(hours) | 16-18 hours | 18-20 hours | -11% |
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,999 | $2,099 | -5% |
| Standard Unified Memory(GB) | 16GB | 16GB | |
| Process Node(nm) | 3nm (5-core upgrade from M3) | 3nm (enhanced) | |
| CPU Cores (Maximum)(cores) | 12 cores | 12 cores | |
| Maximum Unified Memory(GB) | 36GB | 36GB | |
| Base Storage(GB) | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD | |
| Battery Life (Light Use)(hours) | 20 hours | 20 hours | |
| Base CPU Core Count(cores) | 12 | 12 | |
| Maximum GPU Core Count(cores) | 16 | 16 | |
| Maximum Memory(GB) | 36 | 36 | |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core Score(points) | 2,750 | 2,750 | |
| Video Encoding Performance(% faster vs M5) | 18 | 18 | |
| Thermal Design Power (Sustained)(watts) | 45 | 45 | |
| Price per GPU Core(USD/core) | 125 | 125 | |
| CPU Core Count(cores) | 12 cores | 12 cores | |
| Display Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz ProMotion | |
| Maximum RAM(GB) | 36GB | 36GB | |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core(points) | ~17,800 | ~17,800 | |
| Weight(kg) | 3.7 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
| Thunderbolt Ports(ports) | 4 ports | 4 ports |
Sourced from publicly available data · Jul 2026
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- ~12,000 Geekbench 6 pointsCPU Performance (Multi-core)~14,200 Geekbench 6 points
- Up to 20 coresGPU Cores (Base Model)Up to 24 cores
- 120 GB/sMemory Bandwidth150 GB/s
- 3.5 TFLOPS per wattPower Efficiency4.1 TFLOPS per watt
- ~16-18 hoursBattery Life (Real-world)~18-20 hours
- $1,999 USDStarting Price$2,099 USD
- May 2024Release TimelineMarch 2025
- CPU Performance (Multi-core)
MacBook Pro M4 Pro
~12,000 Geekbench 6 points
MacBook Pro M5 Pro
~14,200 Geekbench 6 points
- GPU Cores (Base Model)
MacBook Pro M4 Pro
Up to 20 cores
MacBook Pro M5 Pro
Up to 24 cores
- Memory Bandwidth
MacBook Pro M4 Pro
120 GB/s
MacBook Pro M5 Pro
150 GB/s
- Power Efficiency
MacBook Pro M4 Pro
3.5 TFLOPS per watt
MacBook Pro M5 Pro
4.1 TFLOPS per watt
- Battery Life (Real-world)
MacBook Pro M4 Pro
~16-18 hours
MacBook Pro M5 Pro
~18-20 hours
- Starting Price
MacBook Pro M4 Pro
$1,999 USD
MacBook Pro M5 Pro
$2,099 USD
- Release Timeline
MacBook Pro M4 Pro
May 2024
MacBook Pro M5 Pro
March 2025
Full Comparison
| Attribute | MacBook Pro M4 Pro | MacBook Pro M5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores (P-cores + E-cores)(cores) | 12 cores (8P+4E) | 12 cores (8P+4E) |
| GPU Cores (Maximum)(cores) | 20 cores | 24 cores |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core Score(points) | ~12,000 | ~14,200 |
| Memory Bandwidth(GB/s) | 120 GB/s | 150 GB/s |
| Maximum Unified Memory(GB) | 36GB | — |
Show 4 more attributesBase CPU Core Count(cores) 12 — Geekbench 6 Single-Core Score(points) 2,750 — CPU Core Count(cores) 12 cores — Geekbench 6 Multi-Core(points) ~17,800 — | ||
| Battery Life (Real-world)(hours) | 16-18 hours | 18-20 hours |
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,999 | $2,099 |
| Price per GPU Core(USD/core) | 125 | — |
| Standard Unified Memory(GB) | 16GB | 16GB |
| Process Node(nm) | 3nm (5-core upgrade from M3) | 3nm (enhanced) |
| CPU Cores (Maximum)(cores) | 12 cores | — |
| Base Storage(GB) | 512GB SSD | — |
| Display Resolution(pixels) | 3,072 x 1,920 | — |
| Display Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120Hz ProMotion | — |
| Battery Life (Light Use)(hours) | 20 hours | — |
| Maximum GPU Core Count(cores) | 16 | — |
| GPU Configuration | 20-core dedicated (max) | — |
| Maximum Memory(GB) | 36 | — |
| Video Encoding Performance(% faster vs M5) | 18 | — |
| Thermal Design Power (Sustained)(watts) | 45 | — |
| Maximum RAM(GB) | 36GB | — |
| Weight(kg) | 3.7 lbs | — |
| Thunderbolt Ports(ports) | 4 ports | — |
Show 4 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·4 cons across both
MacBook Pro M4 Pro
Pros
- Lower entry price at $1,999 USD
- Still delivers 12-core CPU sufficient for most professional workflows
- 16GB unified memory standard reduces upgrade costs
- Proven 5nm process with excellent thermal efficiency
- Support for up to 36GB unified memory configurations
Cons
- 15-20% slower CPU performance compared to M5 Pro in benchmarks
- Lower memory bandwidth (120 GB/s vs 150 GB/s) impacts video/3D work
MacBook Pro M5 Pro
Pros
- 15% faster multi-core performance (14,200 vs 12,000 Geekbench 6 points)
- Enhanced GPU with up to 24 cores for graphics-intensive tasks
- Superior memory bandwidth at 150 GB/s for video/3D pipelines
- 18-20 hour real-world battery life, 2+ hours longer than M4 Pro
- Improved power efficiency with 4.1 TFLOPS per watt architecture
Cons
- $100 higher starting price ($2,099 vs $1,999)
- Minimal gains for everyday coding or document work
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
For professionals: yes. The M5 Pro offers 15% better CPU performance, 24% more GPU cores, and 2+ extra hours of battery life, making it ideal for video editing, 3D rendering, or machine learning. For casual users: no. Daily coding, writing, and browsing see minimal real-world differences between generations.
Resources & Learn More
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