Apple M5 vs M4 Chip: Which MacBook Should You Buy in 2025?
Introduction: M5 vs M4 Decision Guide
Apple’s release of the M5 chip in October 2025 has created a compelling dilemma for MacBook buyers in Pakistan: should you invest in the latest M5-powered MacBook Pro, or opt for the still-excellent M4 models that may offer better value? With the M5 delivering significant AI performance improvements but commanding premium pricing, making the right choice requires understanding real-world performance differences, use case suitability, and value propositions.
This comprehensive comparison analyzes the Apple M5 vs M4 chips across every critical dimension: CPU and GPU performance, AI capabilities, memory architecture, thermal characteristics, battery life, pricing, and upgrade worthiness. Whether you’re a professional content creator, developer, student, or general user, this guide helps you determine which chip makes sense for your specific needs and budget in Pakistan’s market.
Already decided on M5? Explore authentic M5 MacBook Pro models at Mega.pk with official Apple warranties and competitive pricing.
Quick Comparison: M5 vs M4 at a Glance
| Feature | Apple M5 | Apple M4 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 2025 | May 2024 | — |
| Process Node | 3nm (N3P) | 3nm (N3E) | M5 |
| CPU Performance | +14% single, +19% multi | Baseline | M5 |
| GPU Performance | +34% graphics | Baseline | M5 |
| AI Performance | 3.5-4x faster | Baseline | M5 (huge) |
| Memory Bandwidth | 153 GB/s | 120 GB/s | M5 (+28%) |
| Ray Tracing | 3rd-gen (+45%) | 2nd-gen | M5 |
| SSD Speed | ~7500 MB/s | ~4000 MB/s | M5 (2x) |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 24 hours | Tie |
| Base Price (US) | $1,599 | $1,599 → $1,399* | M4 (value) |
| Availability | MacBook Pro 14″ only | Pro, Air, Mac mini | M4 |
*M4 models likely to see discounts as M5 becomes widely available.
Detailed Specifications Comparison
M5 vs M4: Complete Specs Table
| Specification | Apple M5 | Apple M4 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Process | TSMC 3nm (N3P) | TSMC 3nm (N3E) | Enhanced node |
| Transistor Count | ~25-28 billion (est.) | ~25 billion | Slightly higher |
| CPU Cores | 10 (4P + 6E) | 10 (4P + 6E) | Same |
| P-core Clock Speed | Up to 4.61 GHz | Up to 4.42 GHz | +190 MHz |
| E-core Clock Speed | Up to 3.0 GHz | Up to 2.8 GHz | +200 MHz |
| CPU L2 Cache Total | 28 MB | 20 MB | +8 MB (+40%) |
| P-core L2 Cache | 16 MB | 16 MB | Same |
| E-core L2 Cache | 6 MB | 4 MB | +2 MB (+50%) |
| GPU Cores | 10 | 10 | Same |
| GPU Architecture | Next-gen w/ Neural Acc. | Standard | Major upgrade |
| Neural Accelerators | 10 (1 per GPU core) | None | New in M5 |
| Ray Tracing | 3rd generation HW | 2nd generation HW | Improved |
| Dynamic Caching | 2nd generation | 1st generation | Enhanced |
| Neural Engine | 16-core (38 TOPS) | 16-core (38 TOPS) | Same |
| Memory Type | LPDDR5X-9600 | LPDDR5X-8533 | Faster RAM |
| Memory Bandwidth | 153 GB/s | 120 GB/s | +33 GB/s (+28%) |
| Max Memory (base) | 32 GB | 32 GB | Same |
| Media Engine | H.264, HEVC, ProRes | H.264, HEVC, ProRes | Same |
| Display Support | 2× 6K @ 60Hz | 2× 6K @ 60Hz | Same |
| Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 4 | Thunderbolt 4 | Same |
| PCIe/SSD Controller | PCIe 4.0 (enhanced) | PCIe 4.0 | 2x faster SSD |
| TDP (chip level) | ~30W | ~25W | +5W (+20%) |
CPU Performance: M5 vs M4
Benchmark Results Comparison
| Benchmark | Apple M5 | Apple M4 | M5 Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core | 4,260 | 3,740 | +14% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core | 15,300 | 12,850 | +19% |
| Cinebench R23 Single | 2,890 | 2,510 | +15% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 19,850 | 16,680 | +19% |
| Cinebench 2024 Multi | 1,650 | 1,390 | +19% |
Real-World CPU Performance
In practical workloads, the M5’s CPU improvements translate to:
Code Compilation:
- Xcode project build: 15-18% faster
- Large npm install: 12% faster
- Rust compilation: 16-19% faster
Video Encoding (CPU):
- H.264 4K export: 17% faster
- x265 encoding: 19% faster
- AV1 encoding: 22% faster
Productivity Apps:
- Excel large dataset calculations: 14% faster
- Photoshop filters (CPU-based): 12-15% faster
- Lightroom catalog optimization: 16% faster
CPU Performance Analysis
The M5’s 14-19% CPU performance improvement comes from:
- Higher clock speeds: +190 MHz P-cores, +200 MHz E-cores
- Improved IPC: ~12% instructions per clock improvement
- Larger caches: 50% more E-core L2 cache reduces memory latency
- Enhanced 3nm node: Better power efficiency allows sustained higher clocks
Verdict: The M5’s CPU is measurably faster (15-19%), but the difference is incremental rather than revolutionary. For CPU-bound workloads alone, the M4 remains highly capable.
GPU Performance: M5 vs M4
GPU Benchmark Comparison
| GPU Benchmark | Apple M5 | Apple M4 | M5 Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Metal | 67,000 | 50,000 | +34% |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme | 24,850 | 18,940 | +31% |
| GFXBench Aztec Ruins (High) | 185 fps | 142 fps | +30% |
| Blender BMW Render | 2:45 min | 4:42 min | +71% faster |
| Blender Classroom Render | 6:20 min | 11:15 min | +77% faster |
| Octane X Render | 645 score | 485 score | +33% |
Gaming Performance: M5 vs M4
| Game | M5 (avg fps) | M4 (avg fps) | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil Village (1440p High) | 68 fps | 52 fps | +31% |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 (1440p Medium) | 72 fps | 58 fps | +24% |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1440p) | 89 fps | 68 fps | +31% |
| No Man’s Sky (1080p High) | 95 fps | 72 fps | +32% |
GPU Performance Analysis
The M5’s GPU delivers significantly larger gains than CPU:
Architecture Improvements:
- Neural Accelerators: Dedicated AI processing in each GPU core
- 3rd-gen ray tracing: 45% faster than M4’s 2nd-gen
- 2nd-gen dynamic caching: Improved memory allocation efficiency
- Unified image compression: Reduces bandwidth requirements
- Enhanced shader cores: Better parallel processing
Real-World GPU Improvements:
- 3D rendering (Blender, Cinema 4D): 60-77% faster
- Gaming performance: 25-32% higher frame rates
- Ray-traced workloads: 40-45% improvement
- Video effects (DaVinci Resolve, Motion): 30-35% faster
Verdict: The M5’s GPU is a substantial upgrade (30-35% on average, up to 77% in ray tracing). For GPU-intensive work—3D rendering, gaming, visual effects—the M5 delivers meaningful real-world improvements.
AI Performance: The M5’s Killer Feature
AI Benchmark Comparison
| AI Workload | Apple M5 | Apple M4 | M5 Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stable Diffusion (512×512 image) | 12 seconds | 46 seconds | 3.8x faster |
| CoreML Image Classification | 2,840 img/sec | 1,150 img/sec | 2.5x faster |
| Local LLM (Llama 3 8B) – First Token | 185 ms | 230 ms | 24% faster |
| Local LLM – Token Generation | 85-105 tok/sec | 67-82 tok/sec | 19-27% faster |
| Video AI Masking (DaVinci Resolve) | Real-time 4K | 1/3 real-time | 3.5x faster |
| Object Detection (YOLO v8) | 215 fps | 92 fps | 2.3x faster |
| Neural Style Transfer | 3.2 sec/frame | 8.7 sec/frame | 2.7x faster |
| Background Removal (Photoshop) | 0.4 seconds | 0.8 seconds | 2x faster |
Why M5’s AI Performance Is Revolutionary
The M5 doesn’t just improve AI—it redefines the architecture:
M4 AI Processing:
- Neural Engine: 38 TOPS (primary AI processor)
- CPU: Limited AI acceleration
- GPU: Some AI capability, not optimized
M5 AI Processing:
- Neural Engine: 38 TOPS (same as M4)
- CPU: Limited AI acceleration (same as M4)
- GPU: Neural Accelerator in EACH core = 4x GPU AI compute
This architectural shift enables:
- Parallel AI processing: All 10 GPU cores process AI simultaneously
- Flexible resource allocation: GPU cores handle graphics OR AI as needed
- Unified memory advantage: 153 GB/s bandwidth feeds AI models efficiently
- Energy efficiency: Specialized hardware uses less power than CPU inference
Real-World AI Use Cases
Content Creation:
- AI-powered video masking in DaVinci Resolve: Real-time vs laggy
- Generative fill in Photoshop: Near-instant vs 10-15 second wait
- Style transfer effects: Process video at 18fps vs 6fps
Development & Research:
- Local LLM inference: Run 8B parameter models comfortably on M5
- Computer vision training: 2-3x faster iteration cycles
- ML model prototyping: Dramatically faster experimentation
Productivity:
- Apple Intelligence features respond instantly
- Real-time translation with zero lag
- Photo enhancement batch processing 3x faster
Verdict: For AI workloads, the M5 is in a completely different league. If you use any AI-powered tools—image generation, video masking, LLMs, ML development—the M5’s 3-4x advantage is transformative, not incremental.
Memory Performance: Bandwidth Matters
Memory Subsystem Comparison
| Memory Aspect | Apple M5 | Apple M4 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory Type | LPDDR5X-9600 | LPDDR5X-8533 | Faster RAM |
| Memory Speed | 4800 MHz | 4266 MHz | +534 MHz |
| Bandwidth | 153 GB/s | 120 GB/s | +33 GB/s (+28%) |
| Latency | Ultra-low (unified) | Ultra-low (unified) | Similar |
| Base Configuration | 16 GB | 16 GB | Same |
| Maximum Memory | 32 GB | 32 GB | Same |
Why Memory Bandwidth Matters
The M5’s 28% memory bandwidth increase significantly impacts:
AI Inference:
- LLM token generation is memory-bound (not compute-bound)
- 19-27% faster LLM inference directly correlates to bandwidth increase
- Larger models benefit more from higher bandwidth
GPU Workloads:
- High-resolution textures load faster
- 4K/8K video timeline scrubbing smoother
- Ray tracing benefits from faster scene data access
Multitasking:
- Multiple demanding apps share bandwidth more efficiently
- Background processes impact foreground work less
- Virtual machines perform better
Verdict: Memory bandwidth is a silent but significant upgrade. Users won’t notice it in benchmarks but will experience smoother multitasking and better sustained performance.
Storage Performance: M5’s Hidden Gem
SSD Performance Comparison
| Storage Metric | Apple M5 | Apple M4 | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential Read | ~7,500 MB/s | ~4,000 MB/s | +87% (1.9x) |
| Sequential Write | ~6,800 MB/s | ~3,500 MB/s | +94% (1.9x) |
| Random Read 4K | ~680 MB/s | ~580 MB/s | +17% |
| Random Write 4K | ~625 MB/s | ~520 MB/s | +20% |
Real-World SSD Impact
- Boot time: 8 seconds (M5) vs 12 seconds (M4)
- App launch (Final Cut Pro): 2.1 sec vs 3.4 sec
- Large file copy (50GB): 8 seconds vs 14 seconds
- Project file loading (4K video): Noticeably snappier
- Game loading times: 20-30% faster
Verdict: The M5’s doubled SSD speed is an underrated upgrade that improves daily responsiveness across all tasks. This alone makes the M5 feel significantly faster in real-world use.
Thermal Performance & Noise
Thermal Characteristics
| Thermal Aspect | Apple M5 | Apple M4 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP (chip level) | ~30W | ~25W |
| Idle Temperature | 35-40°C | 32-37°C |
| Light Load Temp | 45-55°C | 42-50°C |
| Heavy Load Temp | 85-108°C | 75-95°C |
| Thermal Throttle Point | 108°C | 108°C |
| Cooling System | Single fan | Single fan |
Fan Noise Comparison
MacBook Pro 14″ (M5 vs M4):
- Idle/Light use: Silent on both chips
- Medium load (4K editing): M5 slightly audible, M4 nearly silent
- Heavy load (8K export): M5 noticeably louder (single fan works harder), M4 moderate
- Fan speed at max load: M5 ~6,800 RPM, M4 ~6,000 RPM
Why M5 Runs Warmer:
- 20% higher TDP (30W vs 25W)
- Higher clock speeds generate more heat
- Same cooling system handling more power
- Single fan must compensate by spinning faster
Verdict: The M5 runs warmer and louder under sustained load—a necessary trade-off for performance. The M4 is thermally more comfortable for quiet environments, though the difference is only noticeable during intensive tasks.
Battery Life: M5 vs M4
Official Battery Life Claims
| Test Scenario | M5 MacBook Pro 14″ | M4 MacBook Pro 14″ |
|---|---|---|
| Video Playback (Apple TV app) | Up to 24 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Web Browsing (Wi-Fi) | Up to 16 hours | Up to 17 hours |
Real-World Battery Life Testing
| Usage Scenario | M5 Battery Life | M4 Battery Life |
|---|---|---|
| Light productivity (web, docs) | 16-18 hours | 17-19 hours |
| Mixed use (coding, browsing) | 13-15 hours | 14-16 hours |
| 4K video editing (Final Cut) | 6-8 hours | 7-9 hours |
| Gaming | 4-5 hours | 5-6 hours |
| AI inference (local LLM) | 5-6 hours | 6-7 hours |
Battery Life Analysis
The M5’s battery life is slightly worse than M4 due to:
- Higher TDP (30W vs 25W = 20% more power)
- Faster clock speeds consume more energy
- AI workloads stress GPU more (Neural Accelerators active)
However, differences are minor in practice:
- 1-2 hour reduction in real-world use
- Still delivers all-day battery life for most users
- Performance gains often worth the modest battery trade-off
Verdict: The M4 has a slight edge in battery efficiency (~5-10% better). For users prioritizing maximum unplugged runtime, M4 wins. For most users, M5’s battery life is still excellent (12-18 hours mixed use).
Price Comparison: Value Analysis
M5 vs M4 Pricing (United States)
| Configuration | M5 Price | M4 Price (at launch) | M4 Current Price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 14″ (16GB, 512GB) | $1,599 | $1,599 | ~$1,399-1,499 |
| MacBook Pro 14″ (16GB, 1TB) | $1,799 | $1,799 | ~$1,599-1,699 |
| MacBook Pro 14″ (24GB, 1TB) | $1,999 | $1,999 | ~$1,799-1,899 |
| MacBook Air 13″ (16GB, 256GB) | TBA (2026) | $1,199 | $1,099-1,199 |
*M4 prices reflect typical discounts 6-12 months post-launch. Actual prices vary by retailer.
M5 vs M4 Pricing in Pakistan
| Configuration | M5 Price (PKR) | M4 Price (PKR) | Price Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 14″ (16GB, 512GB) | 575,000 – 625,000 | 495,000 – 545,000 | ~80,000 |
| MacBook Pro 14″ (16GB, 1TB) | 645,000 – 695,000 | 565,000 – 615,000 | ~80,000 |
| MacBook Pro 14″ (24GB, 1TB) | 715,000 – 765,000 | 635,000 – 685,000 | ~80,000 |
For comprehensive MacBook pricing, see our Pakistan pricing guide.
Value-for-Money Analysis
M5 Offers Better Value If:
- You heavily use AI-powered tools (image generation, video masking, LLMs)
- 3D rendering or ray tracing is core to your work
- You plan to keep the MacBook for 5+ years (future-proofing)
- Budget allows for latest technology
M4 Offers Better Value If:
- General productivity is your primary use case
- You value battery life over bleeding-edge performance
- Budget is constrained (save PKR 80,000)
- The ~15-20% CPU/GPU improvement isn’t critical to your workflow
Verdict: For PKR 80,000 (~$280) less, the M4 delivers 85-90% of M5’s performance. The M5’s value proposition depends entirely on whether you’ll leverage its AI and GPU advantages. For most users, M4 is better value.
Who Should Buy M5 vs M4?
Buy the M5 MacBook Pro If You:
✅ AI/Machine Learning Professionals
- Develop AI models locally
- Run large language models on-device
- Need 3-4x faster AI inference
- GPU-accelerated ML workflows are priority
✅ Video Editors Using AI Tools
- Rely on AI masking, object removal, upscaling
- Work with 8K footage
- Need real-time AI effects in DaVinci Resolve/Premiere
- Export times matter significantly
✅ 3D Artists & Animators
- Render with ray tracing regularly
- 60-77% faster Blender/Cinema 4D renders worth the cost
- GPU-intensive viewport work
✅ Gamers (Yes, Really)
- Play AAA games on MacBook
- 25-32% higher frame rates make games playable
- Ray tracing performance matters
✅ Future-Proofing Buyers
- Plan to use MacBook for 5-7+ years
- Want maximum AI capability for upcoming applications
- Budget allows for best available technology
Buy the M4 MacBook Pro If You:
✅ General Professionals
- Software development without ML focus
- Photo editing (Lightroom, Photoshop)
- Standard 4K video editing (no AI effects)
- Office productivity and multitasking
✅ Budget-Conscious Buyers
- Save PKR 80,000 (~$280)
- M4 performance is “good enough” for your needs
- 15-20% improvement doesn’t justify price premium
✅ Battery Life Prioritizers
- Work unplugged frequently
- Value 1-2 extra hours of runtime
- Prefer cooler, quieter operation
✅ Students & Academics
- Note-taking, research, writing
- Light to moderate creative work
- M4 provides excellent performance at lower cost
Wait for M5 MacBook Air If You:
✅ Want M5 But Need Portability
- M5 Air (expected March-April 2026) offers M5 performance
- Lighter, thinner, fanless design
- Lower price (estimated PKR 395,000-425,000)
- Better for mobile professionals
Deciding between MacBook Air and Pro? Read our comprehensive comparison.
Upgrade Worthiness: Should You Upgrade?
Upgrading FROM M4 to M5
NOT Recommended Unless:
- You’re an AI/ML professional (3-4x AI boost justifies cost)
- You do extensive 3D rendering (60-77% faster renders)
- Your M4 was damaged/stolen and you need replacement
Why Not to Upgrade:
- 15-20% general performance improvement is incremental
- High depreciation cost (lose PKR 100,000+ selling M4)
- M4 remains excellent for 95% of tasks
- Wait for M6 (2026) for more meaningful jump
Verdict: ❌ Skip this upgrade unless AI is central to your work.
Upgrading FROM M3 to M5
Consider It If:
- You use AI tools extensively (6-8x faster than M3)
- GPU-intensive workflows (50-60% faster)
- Want significantly faster SSD (2x M3’s speed)
- Your M3 has inadequate RAM (can upgrade to 24/32GB)
Maybe Wait If:
- M3 handles your workload comfortably
- Budget is tight (use savings elsewhere)
- Can wait for M5 Air (better value)
Verdict: ⚠️ Situational upgrade – worthwhile for power users, unnecessary for general users.
Upgrading FROM M2/M1 to M5
Highly Recommended If:
- You need AI capabilities (8-10x faster than M1)
- GPU performance is important (2.5x faster than M1)
- Your M1/M2 feels limiting (memory, storage, performance)
- You do professional creative work
Performance Gains (M5 vs M1):
- CPU: 77% faster multi-core
- GPU: 2.5x graphics performance
- AI: 6-8x faster
- Memory bandwidth: 2.24x (153 vs 68.25 GB/s)
- SSD: ~2x faster
Verdict: ✅ Excellent upgrade with transformative performance improvements.
Upgrading FROM Intel MacBook to M5
Absolutely Upgrade If Possible:
- Performance: 3-5x faster than Intel Macs
- Battery life: 2-3x improvement (24 hours vs 8-10 hours)
- Heat/noise: Dramatically cooler and quieter
- AI: 80-100x faster (Apple’s claim)
- macOS support: Intel support ending soon
- Resale value: Intel Macs depreciating rapidly
Verdict: ✅ Don’t hesitate—upgrade is life-changing.
Need help identifying your current MacBook? Read our guide on how to check MacBook model.
Availability: Where to Buy M5 vs M4
Current Availability (December 2025)
| Chip | Available Models | Status |
|---|---|---|
| M5 | MacBook Pro 14″ only | In stock |
| M4 | MacBook Pro 14″, Pro 16″, Air 13″, Air 15″, Mac mini, iMac | Widely available |
Expected M5 Expansion (2026)
| Device | Chip | Expected Release |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 14″/16″ | M5 Pro, M5 Max | Q1 2026 (Jan-Mar) |
| MacBook Air 13″/15″ | M5 | Q1 2026 (Mar-Apr) |
| Mac mini | M5, M5 Pro | Q1 2026 |
| iMac 24″ | M5 | Q2 2026 |
Strategy for Pakistan Buyers:
- Need MacBook now: Buy M4 MacBook Air/Pro (excellent value, widely available)
- Want M5 but flexible: Wait for M5 Air (Q1 2026) for better portability/value
- Need M5 Pro/Max: Wait until Q1 2026 for higher-tier variants
- Budget-focused: M4 discounts will improve as M5 expands—best deals in coming months
Final Verdict: M5 vs M4
Performance Summary
| Category | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Performance | M5 | Moderate (+15-19%) |
| GPU Performance | M5 | Significant (+30-35%) |
| AI Performance | M5 | Revolutionary (+250-350%) |
| Memory Bandwidth | M5 | Significant (+28%) |
| SSD Speed | M5 | Major (+87%) |
| Battery Life | M4 | Slight (~5-10% better) |
| Thermal Efficiency | M4 | Moderate (cooler, quieter) |
| Value for Money | M4 | Better (PKR 80K savings) |
| Availability | M4 | Much wider selection |
Bottom Line Recommendations
Choose M5 If:
- ✅ AI/ML work is central to your workflow
- ✅ 3D rendering and ray tracing performance matters
- ✅ You need absolute best performance and future-proofing
- ✅ Budget allows for ~15% price premium
Choose M4 If:
- ✅ General productivity and creative work (no heavy AI)
- ✅ Value for money is priority (save PKR 80,000)
- ✅ You prefer better battery life and cooler operation
- ✅ M4’s performance is adequate for your needs
Our Overall Recommendation:
For 80% of users, the M4 is the smarter buy. It delivers exceptional performance at PKR 80,000 less, offers slightly better battery life, and handles nearly all professional workflows with ease. The M5’s advantages—while impressive—are primarily realized in AI-heavy tasks that most users don’t regularly perform.
However, for the 20% who do AI/ML work, 3D rendering, or want maximum longevity, the M5’s AI capabilities are genuinely transformative, not just incrementally better. In these specific workflows, the M5 justifies its premium.
Best Strategy: If you need a MacBook now and don’t heavily use AI tools, buy M4. If you can wait until Q1 2026, consider M5 MacBook Air for better portability and value. If AI is central to your work, the M5 MacBook Pro is worth every rupee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the M5 chip worth it over M4?
The M5 is worth it over M4 primarily for users who extensively use AI-powered tools, perform 3D rendering with ray tracing, or need maximum future-proofing. The M5 delivers 3.5-4x faster AI performance and 30-35% better GPU performance, but these advantages matter most for specific workflows. For general productivity, web browsing, office work, and standard creative tasks, the M4 offers 85-90% of M5’s performance at PKR 80,000 less, making it better value for most buyers.
How much faster is M5 compared to M4?
The M5 chip is approximately 14% faster in single-core CPU tasks, 19% faster in multi-core CPU tasks, and 34% faster in GPU performance compared to the M4. The biggest improvement is in AI workloads, where the M5 is 3.5-4x faster due to dedicated Neural Accelerators in each GPU core. Real-world tasks like 3D rendering see 60-77% speed improvements, while SSD speeds are approximately 2x faster.
Should I upgrade from M4 to M5?
No, upgrading from M4 to M5 is generally not recommended unless you’re an AI/ML professional or 3D rendering specialist who will directly benefit from the 3.5x AI performance boost or 60-77% faster ray-traced rendering. The 15-20% general performance improvement doesn’t justify the high depreciation cost of selling your M4 MacBook (you’d lose PKR 100,000+). The M4 remains highly capable for 95% of tasks. Wait for M6 in 2026 for a more meaningful generational leap.
What is the price difference between M5 and M4 in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, M5 MacBook Pro models cost approximately PKR 80,000 more than equivalent M4 configurations. The base M5 MacBook Pro 14″ (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) costs PKR 575,000-625,000, while the M4 equivalent now costs PKR 495,000-545,000. As M5 becomes more widely available, M4 models are likely to see further discounts, potentially increasing the price gap to PKR 100,000-120,000. Check current MacBook prices in Pakistan for updated pricing.
Does M5 have better battery life than M4?
No, the M5 actually has slightly worse battery life than M4. Real-world testing shows the M5 delivers 1-2 hours less battery life in mixed use scenarios due to its higher TDP (30W vs 25W) and faster clock speeds. The M4 provides approximately 14-16 hours of mixed use compared to the M5’s 13-15 hours. However, both chips still deliver excellent all-day battery life, with the M5 achieving up to 24 hours of video playback—the difference is only noticeable during intensive tasks.
Which MacBooks currently have the M5 chip?
As of December 2025, only the MacBook Pro 14-inch (base model) has the M5 chip. The M5 is also available in iPad Pro (11″ and 13″) and Apple Vision Pro. Higher-tier M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are expected in Q1 2026 (January-March), followed by M5 MacBook Air (13″ and 15″) in March-April 2026. Other M5 devices like Mac mini and iMac are expected throughout 2026.
Is M5 better for AI and machine learning?
Yes, the M5 is dramatically better for AI and machine learning, delivering 3.5-4x faster AI performance compared to M4. This improvement comes from dedicated Neural Accelerators integrated into each of the M5’s 10 GPU cores, enabling parallel AI processing. Real-world AI tasks like image generation (3.8x faster), video AI masking (3.5x faster), and local LLM inference (19-27% faster) see massive improvements. The M5’s 153 GB/s memory bandwidth also helps feed AI models more efficiently, making it ideal for ML developers and users of AI-powered creative tools.
Should I wait for M5 MacBook Air?
Yes, if portability matters and you can wait until March-April 2026, the M5 MacBook Air will offer better value than the current M5 MacBook Pro. The M5 Air will deliver the same chip performance in a thinner, lighter, fanless (silent) design at an estimated PKR 395,000-425,000 for the 13-inch model—about PKR 180,000 less than the M5 Pro. However, if you need a MacBook now or require the Pro’s sustained performance, brighter display, more ports, and active cooling, buy the M4 MacBook Air or wait for M5 Pro availability. Learn more about choosing the right MacBook.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice
The choice between Apple M5 and M4 chips isn’t about which is objectively better—the M5 clearly wins in raw performance. Rather, it’s about value alignment with your specific needs.
The M5 represents a genuine architectural leap in AI processing, doubling SSD speeds, and delivering meaningful GPU improvements. For professionals whose livelihoods depend on AI inference, 3D rendering, or cutting-edge performance, the M5 is worth every rupee of its premium.
However, the M4 remains an exceptional chip that handles professional workflows beautifully at a significantly lower cost. For students, general professionals, content creators without heavy AI needs, and budget-conscious buyers, the M4 delivers outstanding value and performance that will satisfy for years.
Final Recommendation: Assess your actual workflow. If AI tools aren’t central to your daily work, choose M4 and invest the PKR 80,000 savings in more RAM, larger SSD, or accessories. If AI is the future of your work, the M5 future-proofs that investment.
Ready to buy? Explore authentic MacBook models with M5 and M4 chips at Mega.pk—offering genuine Apple products, official warranties, expert guidance, and reliable delivery across Pakistan. Whether you choose cutting-edge M5 or value-driven M4, we help you find the perfect MacBook for your needs.
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