# How much faster is the MacBook Pro M5 compared to M4?

> Expert benchmark comparison of Apple M5 vs M4 chips

*Published: 2026-03-31 | Updated: 2026-03-31 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/answers/macbook-pro-m5-faster-than-m4-performance-upgrade*

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## Product: Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M5, Space Black)

The [MacBook Pro M5](https://shopsavvy.com/products/74c47ae3-9a2d-479d-8561-67d0606df7f0) delivers meaningful improvements over the M4 across all performance dimensions.

## Benchmark Comparison

| Metric | M5 | M4 | Improvement |
|--------|-----|-----|-------------|
| Single-core (Geekbench 6) | 4,288 | ~3,900 | ~10% |
| Multi-core (Geekbench 6) | 17,926 | 15,114 | ~18% |
| Metal GPU Score | 76,000 | 55,000 | ~38% |
| AI/ML Quantized | — | — | Up to 53% |
| Clock Speed | 4.61 GHz | 4.46 GHz | 3% |

## Storage Speed

The M5's SSD delivers the biggest generational leap:

| Metric | M5 | M4 | Improvement |
|--------|-----|-----|-------------|
| Write Speed | 6,440 MB/s | 3,265 MB/s | 97% faster |
| Read Speed | 6,725 MB/s | 2,904 MB/s | 131% faster |

## Memory Bandwidth

154 GB/s (M5) vs 120 GB/s (M4)—a 28% improvement benefiting memory-intensive workloads.

## Real-World Impact

- iOS compilation: 45s → 35s (22% faster)
- Video rendering: Noticeably quicker
- Some benchmarks: 50% to 2x faster
- Day-to-day feel: Snappier overall

## Should You Upgrade?

**From M4:** Recommended only if you do heavy AI/ML work, video editing, or specifically benefit from faster SSD speeds. For most users, M4 remains excellent.

**From [M3 or earlier](https://shopsavvy.com/search?query=MacBook+Pro):** Substantial upgrade—definitely worth considering.

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*Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and analysis of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.*