Apple M5 Chip Boosting Performance to Launch with MacBook Pro Models This Year, iPad Pro Release Pushed to 2026

Apple is gearing up for an exciting year with significant updates planned across its entire Mac lineup, particularly with the anticipated launch of the M5 chip. While speculation has been rife about the timing of the new OLED iPad Pro featuring the M5 chip, recent insights suggest that this top-tier iPad may experience a delay. According to leading analysts, the first introduction of the M5 chip is set to occur with the upcoming MacBook Pro models later this year, after which it may eventually reach the iPad Pro.

Upcoming Launch of MacBook Pro Featuring M5 Chip and Delayed iPad Pro Upgrades

Reports indicate that Apple has already entered mass production of its M5 chip for various new devices, including the iPad Pro. However, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg recently revealed in his Power On newsletter that the latest version of Apple’s silicon will debut with the MacBook Pro models during the latter part of 2025, potentially by year-end.

Visually, the new M5 MacBook Pro models will resemble their predecessors, with the primary distinction being the cutting-edge M5 chip. This upgrade is expected to bring significant improvements in both computational and graphical capabilities, marking the beginning of a new enhancement cycle for the Mac series with these models.

The report also mentions plans to upgrade the recently redesigned Mac mini and possibly the iMac simultaneously with the M5 chip, suggesting a collective rollout in the final quarter of 2025. This aligns with Apple’s traditional product release schedules.

In contrast, the iPad Pro is likely to remain underwhelming with just the M4 chip through the end of this year, or possibly into early next year. There won’t be any design changes for the iPad Pro this year, following its recent ultra-slim redesign. If Apple were to unveil the M5 iPad Pro later this year, it would represent a notable shift from the company’s typical timelines. Nonetheless, there’s a chance they could adhere to their usual schedule and postpone the release of the upgraded iPad Pro until next year. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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