Apple is gearing up for another leap in its iPad lineup, and the next iPad Pro M5 chip at its core is shaping up to be a performance-focused device that builds directly on the success of the current 2024 model. While design changes are expected to be minimal, under-the-hood upgrades and software enhancements promise to deliver a much more capable experience for power users and professionals. This information is also featured on 9to9trends YouTube, so don’t forget to check it out.

The 2024 iPad Pro was a Massive Leap: Thin Design, OLED Brilliance, and the M4 Chip
The current-generation iPad Pro, released in Spring 2024, brought one of the biggest hardware redesigns in years. Apple’s obsession with thinness reached new heights—literally—delivering a device that’s just 5.3mm thin for the 11-inch model and 5.1mm for the 13-inch variant. Despite being so thin, the device retained durability while packing in powerful internals.
But perhaps the most striking change was the Tandem OLED display. Apple combined its ProMotion technology with this OLED panel, offering high brightness, ultra-deep contrast, and buttery-smooth refresh rates. Many reviewers and users, including those at The Verge and DisplayMate, have called it the best OLED implementation Apple has ever shipped in a mobile product.
M4 Chip Delivered Raw Power, But iPadOS 26 Finally Unlocked It
While the M4 chip offered incredible performance, early users criticized iPadOS for not fully utilizing the hardware’s capabilities. That began to shift with iPadOS 26, currently in beta and due for public release later this year. Apple is pushing the iPad further into productivity territory by introducing improved multitasking, an updated Files app, and the addition of the Preview app, which previously existed only on macOS.
These changes aren’t cosmetic—they have real implications. Users can now work across multiple windows more freely, handle larger files efficiently, and manage workflows that were previously limited to Macs. And all of this seems to be laying the groundwork for what the M5 iPad Pro will offer next.
What to Expect from the iPad Pro M5: Design Will Stay the Same, But Performance Will Take a Big Leap
According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and MacRumors, the design of the iPad Pro isn’t changing anytime soon. Apple has invested heavily in the thin chassis and the new OLED panel, so it makes sense to retain them for at least a few more generations. That means users should not expect any external changes apart from a possible slight increase in screen brightness.
Instead, the biggest upgrade will come in the form of the M5 chip—Apple’s upcoming generation of silicon. Based on the company’s timeline, the M5 will bring higher performance and improved power efficiency. Apple is likely to offer two configurations of the M5 chip, depending on storage tier, just as it currently does with the M4 model.
RAM Is Getting a Serious Upgrade: Base 16GB and Up to 24GB for High-End Models
One of the most criticized aspects of the current iPad Pro is the RAM limitation on base models, which come with just 8GB, despite being equipped with a Mac-grade M4 chip. That’s about to change. Sources suggest the iPad Pro M5 will start with 16GB of RAM, even in base storage variants. Higher-end models (1TB and 2TB) are expected to feature up to 24GB of RAM.
Why does this matter? With iPadOS 26’s enhanced multitasking, having more memory means better performance when running multiple apps, importing large media libraries, or exporting high-resolution video. Professionals who use iPads as a replacement for laptops will benefit the most from this jump in memory.
iPadOS 26 and M5 Together: A Combination That Brings Desktop-Class Productivity to a Tablet
iPadOS 26 isn’t just an incremental update—it’s a strategic move to finally match Apple Silicon’s power with real productivity features. Apple is clearly working to narrow the gap between iPad and Mac without merging the two. The addition of a native Preview app, the overhaul of the Files app, and new window-based multitasking experiences make the iPad a more legitimate work machine than ever. The M5 chip, combined with higher RAM options, will offer seamless transitions between memory-intensive tasks, such as photo editing, video production, and professional app usage like Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve for iPad.
When Is It Coming? Two Possible Launch Windows for the iPad Pro M5
There are currently two plausible launch timelines for the next iPad Pro, based on industry leaks and Apple’s historical product cycle. The first possible window is late 2025, around Apple’s typical fall event timeframe—usually between late October and early November. This event is often used to unveil new M-series chips and professional Macs, so it would make sense for the iPad Pro M5 to debut alongside new MacBook Pros.
However, if Apple misses that window or decides to delay it, a second launch window would be early 2026, possibly between January and April. Apple has held spring keynotes in both March and April in recent years, and even occasionally in January. Either way, it’s safe to say the next iPad Pro M5 is less than a year away.
What About Pricing? Apple Likely to Maintain Current Price Tiers for M5 Models
As of now, Apple is not expected to change iPad Pro M5 price—unless external factors like tariffs force an adjustment. That means the 11-inch iPad Pro M5 will likely start at $999, and the 13-inch variant will begin around $1,299. Additional costs will depend on storage and RAM configurations, especially for the 1TB and 2TB models, which will include 24GB RAM and possibly enhanced GPU options. While pricing may remain steady, the value proposition increases significantly thanks to the M5 chip, expanded RAM, and maturing iPadOS. Apple is aiming to keep the iPad Pro at the top of the tablet market, not just for media consumption, but for full-fledged professional work.
Final Thoughts: A Modest Refresh on the Outside, But a Major Upgrade Where It Counts
If you’re hoping for a radically redesigned iPad Pro M5, you’ll need to be patient—Apple is playing the long game with its current form factor and display technology. But if you care about performance, multitasking, and future-proofing your workflow, the iPad Pro M5 is likely to be one of the most significant iPad updates in years. With more RAM, a powerful chip, and increasingly capable software, this will be the iPad that finally delivers on the “Pro” name in full. Stay tuned—leaks are still trickling in, and once more details emerge about storage configurations or Apple’s final event plans, we’ll know exactly how far Apple is pushing its next-generation tablet.
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Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API