Picture: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple’s M5-equipped iPad Execs are already in “late testing” phases inside the corporate. They may reportedly enter into mass manufacturing within the second half of 2025.
Following its common improve cycle, Apple can even refresh the MacBook Professional lineup with the M5 chip later this yr.
M5 iPad Professional in late-stage inside testing at Apple
In Might final yr, Apple gave its iPad Professional lineup a serious improve. The gadgets debuted with a thinner design and a stupendous new Tandem OLED show. In an uncommon transfer, the Cupertino large additionally used the brand new Professional iPads because the debut system for its M4 chip. It appears Apple might proceed with the identical pattern this yr.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, within the newest version of his Energy On e-newsletter, claims Apple is within the late phases of testing the M5 iPad Execs, codenamed J817, J820, and J821. They may reportedly enter mass manufacturing in H2 2025 and will go on sale in late Q3 or early This fall. This might align with Apple’s 18-month refresh cycle for its flagship iPads.
Contemplating the M4 iPad Professional launched vital design adjustments, the M5 improve will doubtless be about an inside spec bump.
Reportedly, Apple’s next-gen M5 chip entered mass manufacturing earlier this yr. TSMC will fabricate it on its N3P node, a minor improve over its present 3nm fab. It will lead to solely a 5% increase in efficiency and a modest 5–10% acquire in effectivity.
Gurman sources point out Apple is already testing the M6 iPad Professional with its in-house modem. They may, nevertheless, solely debut in 2027.
M5 MacBook Execs coming later in 2025
Alongside the brand new iPads, Apple will improve its MacBook Professional lineup with the M5 chip “later this yr.” The brand new fashions ought to go official in late October, sticking to the corporate’s ordinary timeline of unveiling new Macs.
Nevertheless, don’t count on 2025 MacBook Execs to include any main adjustments. Gurman believes that it’s going to solely occur round 2026 with the M6 refresh.