Apple’s M5 chip production is set to begin in the second half of 2025, causing a delay for the refresh of the iPad Pro, according to The Elec. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also reported that mass production of the M5 iPad Pro will take place then, while the company plans to maintain an annual update cycle for its iPad Pro models.
Apple’s M5 chip production starts in late 2025, delaying iPad Pro refresh
The upcoming iPad Pro will reportedly be the first device to feature the new M5 chip, which was anticipated to debut alongside the OLED iPad Pro in late 2025. Earlier speculation suggested that the refreshed models might be unveiled at a spring event in March to April 2025, alongside the M4 MacBook Air models. However, this event may instead focus solely on the MacBook Air and iPad Air, without featuring the updated iPad Pro.
Kuo emphasized that although the M5 iPad Pro will integrate the latest chip technology, there will be no significant external design changes compared to the existing M4 version. The appearance of the device is likely to remain identical, following the significant redesign introduced earlier this year with the M4 chip.
Additionally, there are indications that the M5 chip will be geared toward artificial intelligence capabilities, reflecting industry’s growing focus on AI. As Apple develops its technologies, the M5 chips will likely utilize TSMC’s advanced System on Integrated Chip (SoIC) technology, which is designed to enhance transistor density and performance while ensuring lower energy requirements.
These new processors are expected to deliver improved speed and performance, operating at 3 nanometer technology standards, marking a continuation of Apple’s strategy to consistently upgrade its Silicon offerings. Industry reports suggest that production of the M5 chips will take place at TSMC, which has an established collaboration with companies like AMD and Nvidia for similar AI-focused technologies.
While many details about the M5 chip’s capabilities remain unclear, the emphasis on AI integration hints at enhancements in graphics processing units (GPUs) and neural engines. Apple’s substantial investments in 5G networking could also complement the performance benefits realized through these chips, as network capabilities are critical for effective AI implementation.
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