Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro)
Both are good choices with different strengths. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact and is lighter, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a bigger screen and has a bigger battery.
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Key differences
- Screen size Depends on you
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has the bigger screen (16.2" against 14.2"), while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact.
- Weight Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is 0.5 kg lighter: 1.6 kg against 2.14 kg.
- Battery life Apple MacBook Pro 16 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has the bigger battery: 100 Wh against 72.4 Wh.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14 if…
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 14.2-inch screen.
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.5 kg lighter.
- You do demanding work: its Apple M5 Pro is built for heavy creative work.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 16 if…
- You want more room to work: its 16.2-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You're often away from a plug: it has the bigger battery (100 Wh).
- You do demanding work: its Apple M5 Pro is built for heavy creative work.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsOn the specs both makers publish, these two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Both laptops are very close on performance.
Their processors are in the same class: both are built for heavy creative work, and both have 24 GB of memory.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 Pro (15-core CPU) | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple M5 Pro (16-core GPU) | Apple M5 Pro 20-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 24 GB | 24 GB |
| Memory type | Unified memory, 307GB/s bandwidth | unified memory (307 GB/s bandwidth) |
| Maximum memory | 24 GB | 24 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
On the screen, it comes down to what you need.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has the bigger screen (16.2" against 14.2"), while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a bigger screen.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14.2" | 16.2" |
| Resolution | 3K (3024 x 1964) | 3K (3456 x 2234) |
| Aspect ratio | 3024:1964 (about 16:10) | 16:10 |
| 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) |
| HDR | XDR: 1,000 nits sustained full-screen, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content); Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, HLG playback | XDR; Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10 and HLG |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is lighter, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a bigger battery.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 22 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery capacity | 72.4 Wh | 100 Wh |
| Charger | — | 140 W |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 (also charges via any Thunderbolt 5 / USB-C port) | MagSafe 3 or USB-C |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 96W or higher USB PD power source | Fast-charge capable with 140W or higher USB PD power source |
| Weight | 1.6 kg | 2.14 kg |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 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
Both have much the same ports and wireless.
You can plug in the same things on either.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 5 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, USB4 up to 120Gb/s), 1x HDMI, 1x SDXC card slot, 1x MagSafe 3, 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 5 (up to 120Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 120Gb/s) | Thunderbolt 5 / USB4 up to 120Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | 3 | 3 |
| Card reader | SDXC | SDXC |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 wireless networking chip | Apple N1 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 6 |
| 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 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| 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; 79-key ISO layout; 12 full-height function keys; ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | Six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos | high-fidelity six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers |
| Microphones | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming | studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | — | Touch ID |
Software and model
Both run macOS.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MGDN4B/A | — |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |