iPad Pro’s Redesign and M4 Chip Launch
Apple launched the iPad Pro this year with powerful specs. The device has now received a more streamlined profile, coupled with the M4 chip, which brings much better performance along with a finer design. The iPad Pro line-up has been evolved much for better performance and an enhanced aesthetic. Still, it seems that Apple is spacing its next upgrade since the reports are now emerging that the iPad Pro with the new M5 chip won’t hit the market till late 2025.
Analyst Insights: Mass Production Timeline
Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently illuminated the timeline for the M5 iPad Pro in a post on Medium. According to Kuo, Apple intends to start mass production of the M5-equipped iPad Pro in the latter half of 2025, thereby pointing towards a possible launch by the end of next year. There is still a scarcity of specific details on the refresh, but Kuo confirmed that Apple intends to maintain its annual update cycle for the iPad Pro series.
Apple launched the M4-powered iPad Pro in April this year. It can be expected that the version with the M5 chip might not land at the same time of year. Instead, a new OLED iPad Pro featuring an M5 chip may reach the market during the second half of 2025, according to the schedule set by Apple for future products.
Spring Event Focus: No iPad Pro Updates Expected
Initial rumors suggested Apple would announce the M5 iPad Pro at its spring event next year, around March or April, in conjunction with announcing the M4 MacBook Air. However, new reports from DigiTimes indicate that this spring event will be an iPad Air and MacBook Air refresh only, and the iPad Pro refresh will have to wait.
Kuo also emphasized that the OLED iPad Pro will be the first device from Apple to come with the M5 chip, even before the MacBook Pro models. This strategy shows how Apple is looking to make the iPad Pro a next-generation product in its line.
Possible Launch Scenarios
If Apple sticks to Kuo’s timeline, the M5 iPad Pro may launch with the M5 MacBook Pro. But it is also possible that Apple may stagger the releases, giving each product its time in the spotlight. The refresh of the iPad Pro is much-awaited, but Apple’s plans are always subject to change, so one needs to take these predictions with a grain of salt.
Minimal Design Changes for the M5 iPad Pro
There are not likely to be radical external changes to the iPad Pro even though the M5 chip promises a significant performance improvement. Given the fact that the device has just been redesigned this year, it is unlikely that the M5 version will come with a different design language.
Although the OLED display and better innards will make the performance better, users may not have enough reasons to upgrade based on looks alone.
Conclusion
The M5 iPad Pro is yet another step forward in Apple’s quest to deliver powerful tablets. However, with its release date pegged for late 2025, consumers will have to wait patiently as Apple fine-tunes its next-generation iPad Pro. Meanwhile, the current M4 iPad Pro remains the best option for professionals and tech enthusiasts alike.
