Tablets are increasingly serving as the unofficial proving ground for Apple’s next-generation chip technology. The 2024 iPad Pro was the first to showcase the M4 chip before it made its way into Mac devices.
Continuing this trend, the upcoming refresh of the iPad Pro could potentially be among the initial devices to feature an M5 series processor. According to Bloomberg, the next iPad Pro is currently in advanced internal testing, with expectations of its release in the Fall.
Earlier this year, Apple equipped the Mac lineup, including MacBook Air, Pro, and Studio models, with the M4 series. Given that the M4 Pro and M4 Max processors were just unveiled last year, it seems likely that the fundamental M5 will debut later this year, followed by its Pro, Max, or Ultra variants.
Considering the relatively new Mac hardware, the latest iPad Pro looks primed to be the first to adopt the next-gen M5 processor. Reports indicate that the updated models, codenamed J817, J818, J820, and J821, are in the final testing phases at Apple and are scheduled for production in the latter half of this year.
What to Expect from the M5 iPad Pro
Regarding design changes, Apple is not likely to implement any significant modifications, following its established pattern. The iPad Pro underwent a substantial redesign in 2024, featuring a sleek silhouette, one less camera, and a new keyboard accessory.
In terms of processing power, the M5 series will reportedly be built using a 3nm process and will utilize ARM’s next-generation CPU architecture. Besides the iPad Pro set for 2025, new MacBook Pro models with M5 processors are also anticipated to launch later this year.
An M5 update for the MacBook Air is also reportedly in the works, although it’s likely to debut next year. The larger shift for the iPad will focus on software. According to Bloomberg, Apple is preparing a comprehensive revamp of its software design.
During the upcoming WWDC developer conference, we may gain insights into Apple’s future artificial intelligence endeavors. While Siri and Apple’s current AI offerings have received mixed reviews, there are hopes for more sophisticated AI features across Apple’s software ecosystem to be unveiled this June.
