In the world of mobile editing, there’s always the ongoing debate about which device delivers the best performance—especially when it comes to multitasking and processing power. I’ve always loved using foldables for editing because of their larger screens and flexibility, but recently, I decided to add another contender to the ring: the iPad Pro M5. With its M5 chip promising to take mobile processing to the next level, I was eager to see how it would stack up against today’s top foldables, like the Honor Magic V5 and the Vivo X Fold 5. Could the iPad’s large, stunning display compete with the foldables’ multitasking capabilities? Let’s dive into the results!
The iPad Pro M5 vs. Foldables: Design and Multitasking
When it comes to design, the iPad Pro M5 has a clear advantage with its large, beautiful screen, which is perfect for multitasking and editing. But how do the foldables compare? The Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 both feature impressive foldable displays, which offer a larger surface for multitasking in tablet mode, giving them an edge in this area. But the iPad is known for its smooth workflow, and I wanted to see just how it compared when both the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 are unfolded.
Starting with multitasking, both foldables shine here. On the Honor Magic V5, multitasking is a breeze, allowing you to run multiple apps side by side with ease. Similarly, the Vivo X Fold 5 also offers smooth multitasking and supports up to four apps running at once when using Work Bench. The iPad Pro M5, however, requires a bit more effort. While you can run apps side by side, similar to that of Work Bench it isn’t as intuitive. It requires a long press and drag to place apps into split-screen mode, which, compared to the foldables, feels clunkier.
Performance: iPad Pro M5 vs. Foldables
Next, let’s talk about performance. The iPad Pro M5 is powered by Apple’s M5 chip, which is one of the fastest mobile processors around. So, I wanted to see how well it held up against the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5. To test this, I used a video editing app called InShot to process a 4K video and see how quickly each device could export it.
Surprisingly, the iPad Pro M5 didn’t blow the foldables out of the water as I had expected. Despite being equipped with Apple’s fastest chip, the iPad Pro was slower to process the video than both the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5, with the Vivo X Fold 5 finishing first. In fact, the iPad lagged behind, even with its superior chip. The Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 both delivered excellent results, showing that they can handle demanding tasks just as well as, if not better than, the iPad.
Camera Performance: Apple vs. Android
When it comes to cameras, the iPad Pro M5 is undeniably impressive, but it’s not quite a match for the Honor Magic V5 or Vivo X Fold 5 when it comes to versatility. The iPad Pro M5 has good cameras for a tablet, but they aren’t designed for the same level of detail and precision as the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5. In my test shots, I found that the Vivo X Fold 5 performed better, offering clear and detailed images, especially in low-light conditions. The Honor Magic V5 came close, but the iPad Pro M5 still held its own with its crisp shots and improved image stabilization.
Customization and Flexibility
One of the key strengths of foldables like the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 is their customization and flexibility. For example, the Honor Magic V5 allows you to stack widgets and customize the home screen extensively. The Vivo X Fold 5 offers a “workbench” feature that allows you to run four apps simultaneously, which is incredibly useful for those who need to juggle multiple tasks. The iPad Pro M5, on the other hand, offers limited customization options compared to these foldables, and apps are not as flexible in terms of layout.
Final Thoughts: Is the iPad Pro M5 Really Necessary?
After all of these tests, my conclusion is clear: while the iPad Pro M5 offers a beautiful, large screen and superb performance for certain tasks, it’s not necessarily the go-to device for mobile editing anymore. The Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 both provide incredible multitasking abilities and a smooth workflow for editing, which makes them great alternatives to the iPad for productivity on the go. That said, the iPad Pro would be preferred for is size and app compatibility for full form editing programs like DaVinci Resolve.
So, while the iPad Pro M5 is still a powerhouse in its own right, foldables might just be the future of mobile productivity. What do you think? Will foldables take the lead, or does the iPad Pro M5 still reign supreme? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!