MacBook Pro M2 Pro vs M5 — benchmarks, battery life, pricing, and real-world performance compared for 2025 buyers.

Introduction

Apple’s lineup just got shaken up. With the new 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip, many MacBook buyers are asking: Is the M2 Pro MacBook still a good purchase in 2025? In this MacBook M2 vs M5 comparison, we’ll break down performance, price, efficiency, and use cases — so you can make an informed decision.

MacBook M2 vs M5: What’s New in the M5 MacBook Pro

Apple officially announced the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip in October 2025. Apple
According to Apple, the M5 delivers up to 3.5× faster AI performance compared to the M4, thanks to a 10-core GPU where each core has a Neural Accelerator. Apple
Apple also claims a 30% increase in memory bandwidth (up to 153 GB/s) and up to 1.6× higher graphics performance vs M4. Apple
Storage is also improved: Apple says SSD performance can be “up to 2× faster” than on the previous generation. Apple
Official USB-C, display, and general design remain very similar to the previous 14-inch Pro models. MacRumors

MacBook M2 vs M5 Performance: Benchmarks & Real-World Gains

MacBook Pro M5 14-inch 2025 model on desk

In leaked Geekbench 6 results, a MacBook Pro with M5 reportedly scored 4,263 on single-core — this would be one of the highest single-core scores ever recorded on Geekbench 6. Gizmochina
The same source reported a multi-core score of 17,862, around ~20% faster than the M4’s multi-core performance. MacRumors
According to Apple, workloads like compiling code (Xcode), creative apps, and AI-based tasks benefit significantly: M5 offers “next-level” CPU multithreaded performance and a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple
In Tom’s Hardware’s early tests, the M5 14″ model showed ~10-20% CPU performance uplift and significantly faster SSD speeds. Tom’s Hardware
Real-world benchmark example: Tom’s Hardware’s 25 GB file copy test achieved 1,917 MB/s on the M5 SSD, compared to ~1,167 MB/s on the M4 model. Tom’s Hardware
On GPU tasks, the M5’s 10-core GPU + Neural Accelerators pushed performance significantly, especially for AI workloads. Apple

MacBook M2 vs M5: GPU & Neural Performance Differences

When comparing the MacBook M2 vs M5, you’ll notice the M5 has a clear advantage in GPU or neural performance.

Spec	MacBook Pro 14″ (M2 Pro)	MacBook Pro 14″ (M5)
CPU	10-core (6P + 4E)	10-core (faster per-core performance)
GPU	Up to 19-core	10-core next-gen GPU w/ Neural Accelerators
Neural Engine	16-core	10 Neural Accelerators (1 per GPU core)
Memory Bandwidth	200 GB/s	~153 GB/s
SSD Speed	~3,000 MB/s	~6,000 MB/s (2.5× faster)
Battery Life	Up to 18 hours	Up to 24 hours
Launch Price	£2,149 (original), now cheaper used	£1,799 starting
Best For	Pro workflows, great value in 2025	AI tasks, future-proofing, creative workloads

Buy MacBook Pro (M2 Pro) on Amazon

Buy MacBook Pro (M5) on Amazon

How the M2 Pro MacBook Still Holds Its Ground

Let’s look at the older, but still very capable, MacBook Pro 14″ (M2 Pro).

Strengths of M2 Pro:

Proven real-world performance: excellent for development, video editing, and design work
Lower cost on used or refurbished markets: many M2 Pro models are cheaper now that the M5 is out
Great energy efficiency: Apple Silicon continues to perform well in battery-sensitive workflows
Long-term support: macOS updates + stability for pro workloads

MacBook Pro M2 Pro 14-inch laptop 2023 model

Price Comparison (2025)

Here are some representative UK prices:

Model	Approx. Price*
MacBook Pro 14″ (M5, 512 GB)	~£1,679 (or similar new / pre-order-era pricing)
MacBook Pro 14″ (M5, 1 TB)	£1,799 (based on current available SKUs)
MacBook Pro 14″ (M2 Pro, 16 GB / 512 GB)	~£945 (refurbished / renewed)

* Prices vary depending on seller, stock, and configuration.

Efficiency, Battery & Practical Use

The 14″ M5 Pro offers impressive power efficiency, especially for AI / neural-engine tasks, thanks to the new Neural Accelerators. Apple
Apple claims up to 24 hours of battery life for the 14″ M5 model — though “real-world use” results vary. Apple
For creators, developers, and casual users: unless your workflow pushes AI inference or high-GPU loads constantly, the M2 Pro remains more than capable.

Who Should Upgrade / Buy Which

✅ Buy the M5 If:

You’re working with AI / ML / large local models
You want the latest and fastest Apple Silicon
You plan to keep the machine for many years
You need very fast SSD + GPU → pro creative work

Buy M5 MacBook Pro on Amazon

✅ Stick with or Buy M2 Pro If:

You’re budget-sensitive (refurb M2 Pro is cheaper)
Your workloads don’t need top-tier AI / GPU power
You prefer a tried-and-true system with plenty of power
You value long-term macOS stability over cutting-edge chip performance

Buy M2 Pro MacBook Pro on Amazon

Risks & Considerations

Depreciation: M2 Pro resale value may drop further as M5 becomes more mainstream
Future-proofing: If M5 Pro / Max / Ultra chips are announced soon, there may be more powerful options
Support: Apple usually supports their chips well, but OS features may favor newer silicon in the long run
Stock & Availability: Depending on region, M5 may be in limited supply initially

Verdict

The M5 MacBook Pro is a significant upgrade, especially for AI-heavy or GPU-intensive workflows, and its performance gains are backed by both Apple and independent benchmarks. But if you’re buying now, the M2 Pro MacBook remains an incredibly strong, cost-effective option — particularly if you choose a refurbished or renewed model.

If your work doesn’t demand bleeding-edge AI or graphics, sticking with the M2 Pro is still a smart choice in 2025. But for those chasing the future of Apple Silicon and local AI inference, the M5 is tough to ignore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the M5 MacBook Pro worth it if I already have an M2 Pro?
A: Only if you need more GPU / AI power or care about future-proofing. For many pro use cases, M2 Pro is still very capable.

Q: How much faster is the M5 than the M2 Pro?
A: According to leaked benchmarks, M5’s single-core Geekbench score is ~4,263, and multicore ~17,862, which is significantly faster than many older chips. MacRumors

Q: Does the M5’s faster SSD matter?
A: Yes — in high-file-transfer workflows (video editing, large datasets) you’ll notice the speed boost, per early testing. Tom’s Hardware

Q: Will Apple release M5 Pro / Max soon?
A: Probably. If you can wait and need extreme performance, waiting might be beneficial. But current M5 is already a hefty jump.

Affiliate Disclaimer

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.

MacBook M2 vs M5 — Is the M2 Pro Still Worth It in 2025?

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