Apple Might Launch the M5 Chip in iPad Pro Before Macs Again, Says Report

Highlights

• Apple is expected to launch the M5 chip in the iPad Pro this fall, continuing the trend started with the M4 chip.
• The M5-powered 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, originally planned for late 2025, may now be pushed to early 2026.
• Repeating the iPad-first chip rollout suggests a deliberate shift, possibly due to the base M5 chip being production-ready.

Apple’s M-series chips first showed up in 2020 with the launch of the M1 in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. But last year, Apple did something unexpected. It introduced the M4 chip in the iPad Pro before bringing it to Macs. Now, it looks like Apple is planning to do the same thing again with the upcoming M5 chip. Here’s what we know so far.

M5 MacBook Pro Could Be Delayed Until 2026

A new report by Mark Gurman offers a glimpse into Apple’s product roadmap and it includes a surprising update on the M5 MacBook Pro. Originally, the M5 MacBook Pro was expected to arrive this fall, following the pattern Apple has kept with previous chip releases, M3 in 2023 and M4 in 2024.

However, Gurman now says Apple is changing those plans. According to his Bloomberg report, “The company had been planning to release new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros — code-named J714 and J716 — later this year with M5 chips. But Apple is now internally targeting a launch early next year, meaning that the current MacBook Pro release cycle may last a little longer than usual. The timing remains fluid, and Apple previously launched the M1, M3 and M4 MacBook Pros in either October or November.”

The report adds, “Though those computers were originally slated for a 2025 release, Apple is considering pushing them back to 2026.”

There’s no word yet on why the MacBook Pros are being delayed, and the report doesn’t give any further details. But despite the delay, one M5-powered device is still on track to launch this year.

M5 iPad Pro Could Launch Before the M5 MacBook

Just like last year, Apple appears set to debut its newest M-series chip in the iPad Pro, before it lands in any Mac.

The M4 chip made its first appearance in the iPad Pro in May 2024, a full six months ahead of its Mac debut. It was the first time an M-chip had launched outside of a Mac product.

Now, according to Gurman, the iPad Pro will once again be the first to get the newest chip. The M5-powered iPad Pro is expected to arrive this fall and could remain the only M5 product available until sometime in 2026.

Doing this once may have seemed like a one-off. But doing it again, which is starting to look like a deliberate strategy.

One possible reason could be that Apple needs more time to finalise the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips that power high-end MacBook Pros. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro will likely use just the base M5 chip, which may already be ready for production.

In any case, it seems like Apple’s habit of launching new M-series chips in the iPad Pro, before the Mac, might be here to stay.

FAQs

Q1. Will the M5 chip debut in the iPad Pro before Macs?

Answer. Just like last year, Apple appears set to debut its newest M-series chip in the iPad Pro, before it lands in any Mac. The M5-powered iPad Pro is expected to arrive this fall and could remain the only M5 product available until sometime in 2026.

Q2. Why might the M5 MacBook Pro be delayed until 2026?

Answer. According to Bloomberg, “Apple is now internally targeting a launch early next year, meaning that the current MacBook Pro release cycle may last a little longer than usual.” The report adds Apple is considering pushing them back to 2026.

Q3. What could be the reason for Apple’s iPad-first chip rollout strategy?

Answer. One possible reason could be that Apple needs more time to finalise the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips that power high-end MacBook Pros. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro will likely use just the base M5 chip, which may already be ready for production.

Also Read: iPad Pro with M5 chip to launch in late 2025, reports Kuo

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