Apple's M5 Chipset: Release Date, Rumors, Features, and More
- Apple’s M5 chip might shake up the iPad lineup by the end of next year — think faster, smarter, and AI-powered.
- Major upgrades are coming to the iPad Pro, but don’t expect a total overhaul.
- Here’s why the M5 is more than just a chip: it’s Apple’s big AI move for future devices.
Apple's next-generation M5 chipset could launch by the end of 2025, powering the iPad Pro lineup either in late 2025 or early-to-mid 2026. This timeline aligns with other product updates from Apple, which recently released their lineup of M4-powered Mac models this earlier this week amid rumors of a M4 MacBook Air refresh in 2025.
Photo via WCCF Tech // Right now, the rumors are saying the Apple M5 chip can be expected in late 2025 or the first half of 2026.
Next Steps for Apple's iPad Pro
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models, which recently received an M4 upgrade, are likely to see only minor changes beyond the M5 chipset upgrade. “As for when to expect the next iPad Pro, the company has historically updated that device every 18 months or so," Gurman notes. "Given that the M5 chip is expected to arrive around the end of next year, it seems likely that the next iPad Pro won’t debut until late 2025 or the first half of 2026."
Photo via WCCF Tech // The highly anticipated M5 iPad Pro is likely to be the first device powered by Apple's next-generation Apple Silicon M5 chipset.
What the M5 Chip Brings to the Table
The M5 chipset, expected to utilize TSMC’s 3D chip-stacking technology known as System on Integrated Chip (SoIC), is anticipated to bring significant efficiency and thermal management improvements. SoIC technology, initially introduced in 2018, allows for a compact 3D stacking of chips, improving performance over traditional two-dimensional designs by reducing current leakage and enhancing thermal efficiency.
Industry expert Ming-Chi Kuo has shared that Apple is unlikely to move to TSMC’s 2nm process for the M5 until 2026, given the high production costs of the newer node.
Apple's M5 Dual-Purpose Silicon Strategy
In addition to consumer devices, Apple reportedly intends to incorporate the M5 into its AI server infrastructure. Apple’s M4 chips are expected to power AI servers by late 2025, setting a dual-use precedent for the M5, which will eventually bring increased AI performance to Macs and cloud-based AI applications alike.
The anticipated M5 variants include the base M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max, and possibly a M5 Ultra, with the Pro and Max models debuting shortly after the base variant. This chip’s ability to meet consumer, cloud, and AI processing needs demonstrates Apple’s broader strategy to integrate AI across its devices and services while retaining control over its supply chain.
Potential Price Points and iPad Lineup for 2025–2026
As for pricing, Apple's recent trend suggests minimal price shifts between M4 and M5 devices. The M4 iPad Pro saw a $200 price increase over its predecessor, yet industry watchers believe another price hike for the M5 variant is unlikely.
Apple’s next-gen iPad lineup, based on backend findings from developer Nicolás Álvarez, could feature four models identified by internal codes:
- iPad17,1 - M5 11-inch Pro Wi-Fi
- iPad17,2 - M5 11-inch Pro Cellular
- iPad17,3 - M5 13-inch Pro Wi-Fi
- iPad17,4 - M5 13-inch Pro Cellular
This rollout mirrors Apple’s steady approach to advancing the iPad’s computational capabilities in tandem with its Mac lineup.
Photo via GaGadget // A concept image of the Apple M5 chipset.
Advanced Packaging and AI Performance
The M5 chipset is expected to include a more powerful Neural Engine, a step up from the M4, which currently performs 38 trillion operations per second—a 60-fold improvement over Apple’s original Neural Engine. Apple’s M5 upgrade reflects an industry-wide push towards AI capabilities, not just for machine learning but also for enhancing app performance and power efficiency in Apple’s AI-driven software suite.
The Outlook
Apple’s M5 chip presents a substantial leap in power and efficiency, setting a new standard for both consumer-facing and cloud-based applications. Whether we see the M5 in a refreshed iPad Pro or a cutting-edge MacBook model, the impact will be significant.
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