Apple M5 vs M4 Pro: Real-World Performance Test Results

Core Insights - The M5 MacBook Pro introduces significant improvements in storage capacity and SSD performance compared to the M4 Pro, with Apple claiming up to 2× faster SSD performance [2][4] - The M4 Pro remains superior in raw performance, particularly for demanding tasks, while the M5 focuses on efficiency and AI capabilities [5][56] Performance Comparison - The M5's read speeds are comparable to the M4 Pro, but the M4 Pro's SSD is approximately 15.7% faster in write speeds [3][4] - In synthetic benchmarks, the M5 scores 4,198 in single-core performance, about 5.8% faster than the M4 Pro's 3,966, while the M4 Pro excels in multi-core tasks with a score of 22,605, roughly 26% higher than the M5's 17,938 [12][13] - The M5's GPU features a dedicated Neural Accelerator in each core, resulting in over 4× the GPU speed compared to the M4, but the M4 Pro still outperforms the M5 in graphics-heavy tasks [18][20] AI and Creative Workflows - The M5 shows a significant leap in AI performance, with the GPU quantized score at 23,391, a 53% boost over the M4 Pro's 15,259 [25] - For video editing, the M4 Pro consistently outperforms the M5, completing tasks like rendering and exporting faster due to its higher core count and memory bandwidth [49][50] Battery Life and Efficiency - The M5 is built on a more advanced 3nm process, offering better power efficiency, but the M4 Pro's larger battery allows it to last longer in real-world tests, achieving 20 hours and 35 minutes compared to the M5's 18 hours [51][53][54] Target Audience - The M5 is designed for everyday users and creative professionals seeking efficiency and AI features, while the M4 Pro targets professional creators requiring maximum performance for intensive workloads [56][60]