Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5)
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) has the edge: it is faster and has Wi-Fi 7. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) still has more memory, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
- Speed Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) is quicker. Its Apple M5 Pro is built for heavy creative work, while the Apple M5 in the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) has the power for photo and video editing.
- Memory Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) has 32 GB of memory against 24 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Wi-Fi Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) has newer Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7 against Wi-Fi 6E.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M5 Pro is the more powerful processor.
- You have fast broadband: its Wi-Fi 7 gets more out of a modern router.
- You prefer the newer model: it came out in 2026.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You need a long battery life: its maker claims up to 24 hours.
- You keep big files on the laptop: it has 1 TB of storage.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) leads on performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) is faster, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) has more memory.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 Pro (15-core CPU) | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple M5 Pro (16-core GPU) | Apple M5 10-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 24 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory type | Unified memory, 307GB/s bandwidth | Unified memory (153GB/s bandwidth) |
| Maximum memory | 24 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
Both screens are closely matched.
Size, sharpness and smoothness are near enough the same, so neither has a real edge to look at.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14.2" | 14.2" |
| Resolution | 3K (3024 x 1964) | 3K (3024 x 1964) |
| Aspect ratio | 3024:1964 (about 16:10) | 3024:1964 (about 1.54:1) |
| Panel | Mini-LED | Mini-LED |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | Yes | Yes |
| Brightness | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3), 1 billion colours | Wide colour (P3), 1 billion colours |
| HDR | XDR: 1,000 nits sustained full-screen, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content); Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, HLG playback | XDR: 1,000 nits sustained, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content); Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, HLG playback |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 22 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery capacity | 72.4 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 (also charges via any Thunderbolt 5 / USB-C port) | MagSafe 3 (or USB-C / Thunderbolt 4) |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 96W or higher USB PD power source | Fast-charge capable with a 96W or higher USB PD power source |
| Weight | 1.6 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm |
| Materials | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Silver | Space Black |
| Colours available | Space Black, Silver | Space Black, Silver |
Ports and wireless
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Wi-Fi 7, and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C; all charge, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 120Gb/s), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x HDMI, 1x SDXC card slot, 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; all support charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x HDMI (version not stated by Apple), 1x SDXC card slot, 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 5 (up to 120Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 120Gb/s) | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| External displays (max) | 3 | 2 |
| Card reader | SDXC | SDXC |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 wireless networking chip | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 12MP Center Stage, 1080p video |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) / 79 (ISO) keys, 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) / 79 (ISO) keys, 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | Force Touch trackpad (pressure-sensing, Multi-Touch gestures); size not published |
| Speakers | Six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos | Six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MGDN4B/A | — |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |