Apple’s next-gen M5 chip is coming soon, debuting in this fall’s new iPad Pro model. But despite this being the second year in a row the iPad gets an M-class chip first, this time will be different for two key reasons.
M5 chip debuting on iPad Pro will be different than last year’s M4
In May 2024, Apple did something it never had before: it debuted its next-gen M-class chip in an iPad.
iPad Pro was no stranger to M-class chips, but until the M4, every other chip had arrived on the Mac first.
Though Apple never officially defined it, the ‘M’ designation has long been assumed to refer to the Mac. M1, M2, and M3 all started on the Mac, and only hit the iPad later.
With M4, the iPad Pro benefited long before the Mac did. And rumors indicate Apple’s next chip is coming to iPad first too.
The next generation M5 is launching this fall with the new iPad Pro, and won’t come to the Mac until early 2026.
But there are two reasons this time will be different.
- Shorter exclusivity window
- State of iPad software
#1: Shorter M5 exclusivity window for iPad
Simply put, last year the M4 iPad Pro was the only device with an M4 for a solid six months.
Apple’s first M4 Macs arrived in November, half a year after the M4 iPad Pro shipped in May.
But this time, the iPad’s M5 exclusivity should be much shorter.
The M5 iPad Pro is expected to ship some time this fall. It could be September, October, or even as late as November.
No matter when it does arrive, the M5 MacBook Pro is expected to follow not long after. Mark Gurman says it will ship “very early” in 2026.
So in the shortest gap scenario, the M5 iPad Pro arrives in November, and M5 comes to the Mac two months later in January.
More likely we’re looking at a 3-4 month wait. But that’s still a big improvement over last year’s M4 delay.
#2: iPadOS 26 changes the game for iPad software
The state of iPad software has also drastically changed since last year.
When the M4 arrived, it was entirely unclear how iPadOS 18 would benefit from the performance gains.
iPad software has historically lagged behind hardware capabilities. So getting a cutting edge new chip, but the same old iPadOS, seemed a bit anticlimactic.
Thanks to iPadOS 26 though, things will be very different this year.
For the first time, a new iPad Pro model will finally have software that matches its powerful hardware.
This is something we’ve wanted for years, and Apple is set to finally deliver.
Top comment by Davy Crockett
For the first time, a new iPad Pro model will finally have software that matches its powerful hardware.
Followed the link, I don't see anything there that my M1 is incapable of doing. Worst part of all of this, I'm losing the version of multi-tasking/window management that I use the most and I feel works best on a tablet.
What am I missing?
Even though the M5 iPad Pro sounds like it will mostly be a spec bump update, this might be the first time iPadOS could genuinely take advantage of such a change.
Powerful iPadOS 26 features like windowing and the ability to run many apps at once should benefit from an improved M5 chip.
I’ve used the iPad Pro as my primary computer for a decade, and thanks to iPadOS 26, this is the first time I can remember getting excited about a new chip.
When the M5 arrives as part of Apple’s new iPad Pro, we won’t be taken by surprise this time. But that’s not the only reason things will be different this time around.
Best iPad accessories
- AirPods Pro 2 (now only $169, down from $249)
- 100W USB-C power adapter for fast charging
- tomtoc Tablet sleeve bag for protection and style
- Baseus 10ft USB-C cable for extended reach
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