M5 iPad Pro: Expected Price, Specs, Release Date, and Rumors
- The iPad Pro 8 could debut with Apple’s cutting-edge M5 chip. Curious what that means for performance?
- OLED screens and lightning-fast processors—Apple's not playing around with its 2025 iPad Pro.
- Early 2025 might just bring the most powerful iPad Pro yet. What are you waiting for? Read on.
Release Date Estimate
Anticipation for the next iPad Pro is already building, even though Apple has been somewhat inconsistent with its release schedule for this flagship tablet. Looking back at recent years:
- 7th-gen iPad Pro: May 2024
- 6th-gen iPad Pro: October 2022
- 5th-gen iPad Pro: April 2021
- 4th-gen iPad Pro: March 2020
With this unpredictable pattern, it’s tough to pin down an exact launch date. However, early 2025 seems like a reasonable bet for the 8th-generation iPad Pro.
Apple Scoop's Prediction:
Given past trends, we can expect the iPad Pro 8 to hit shelves sometime in early to mid-2025.
Photo via MacRumors // A concept render of Apple's upcoming iPad Pro 8th Gen, expected to feature the new M5 chip.
iPad Pro 8th Generation Pricing Rumors
Pricing for the next iPad Pro is likely to remain similar to current models. As of now, the 2024 iPad Pro offers two screen sizes—11 inches and 13 inches—and that’s expected to carry over into the next model. Based on previous pricing, here’s what we anticipate:
- 11-inch model: Starting at $999
- 13-inch model: Starting at $1,299
Of course, the price can climb significantly depending on your customization. Opting for additional features like cellular connectivity, higher storage, or specialized glass could push the cost to as much as $2,599.
Pre-Order and Availability
Like many Apple product launches, pre-orders for the 8th-generation iPad Pro should open the same day it’s officially announced. Typically, shipping begins within a week of the announcement. Expect Apple to stick to this formula.
iPad Pro 8th Generation Features
The 8th-gen iPad Pro will most likely come equipped with iPadOS 18, though if Apple decides on a later release, it could launch with iPadOS 19. Either way, the focus will be on enhanced features tied to Apple Intelligence, Apple's machine learning and AI-powered tools.
Photo via Apple.com // The current iPad Pro, iPad Pro 7th generation released earlier in 2024, is expected to be replaced by the 8th-generation version in mid-2025.
Apple Pencil Compatibility
For those who’ve invested in the Apple Pencil Pro, good news—Apple tends to maintain backward compatibility across multiple iPad generations, so it’s highly likely your Pencil will work seamlessly with the 8th-gen iPad Pro.
Specs and Hardware
A new iPad Pro always brings upgraded hardware, and this one will likely be no different. The current iPad Pro lineup boasts the M4 chip, so it’s reasonable to expect the next model to be powered by the Apple M5, Apple’s upcoming processor. This chip is expected to be based on TSMC’s 3nm N3P process, a refinement of the 3nm technology used in the M4, promising even better power efficiency and performance.
Photo via Apple Inc. // Some features of Apple's M4 chip, the chip that powers the 2024 iPad Pro.
Storage and RAM
The 8th-gen iPad Pro will likely offer the following storage configurations:
- 256GB
- 512GB
- 1TB
- 2TB
For RAM, expect a bump to 16GB and possibly even 32GB for the higher storage tiers.
Display
Apple introduced tandem OLED technology with the 2024 iPad Pro, featuring two OLED panels stacked together for improved brightness and battery life. This groundbreaking display tech should return for the 8th-gen iPad Pro, as it has received positive reviews and has no apparent downsides.
The M5 Chip: What to Expect
The M5 chip is set to debut with this iPad. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the chip will likely be produced using TSMC’s 3nm N3P process, an upgrade from the M4’s N3E process. This means improved power efficiency and possibly more performance cores. While some rumors floated the idea of Apple transitioning to a 2nm process, that seems unlikely until at least 2026.
The M5 could also feature SoIC packaging, which allows for better thermal management and electrical performance. This technology could give Apple the flexibility to increase performance without compromising the iPad's sleek design.
Final Thoughts
The 8th-generation iPad Pro is shaping up to be another impressive iteration of Apple’s flagship tablet. With expected upgrades like the M5 chip, continued support for tandem OLED displays, and possibly even higher RAM configurations, it’s clear Apple isn’t holding back on pushing the limits of what a tablet can do.
While we’ll have to wait for more official details, early 2025 looks set to be a big year for iPad enthusiasts. Keep an eye out for Apple's next event, as that’s where the real details will start to emerge.
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