Apple's next-generation iPad Pro featuring the M5 processor is set to begin mass production in the second half of 2025, according to renowned industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The upcoming tablet will be assembled by China's BYD Electronics, marking a shift in Apple's manufacturing partnerships. This same company is also slated to exclusively produce Apple's new display-equipped HomePod launching in late 2025.
The M5 chip powering the new iPad Pro will be manufactured using TSMC's 3-nanometer process technology and will incorporate advanced System on Integrated Chip (SoIC) technology. While Apple opted not to use TSMC's cutting-edge technology due to cost factors, the M5 is still expected to deliver substantial performance improvements over the current M4 chip found in the 2024 iPad Pro models.
The timing suggests Apple is maintaining its annual update cycle for the iPad Pro line, following the May 2024 release of the OLED display models featuring the M4 chip. However, external design changes appear minimal, as the device recently received a comprehensive redesign with a slimmer profile.
One minor aesthetic modification being considered is changing the orientation of the rear Apple logo to landscape position, though no other major feature updates have been revealed so far.
The M5 iPad Pro is positioned to be Apple's first device to showcase the new M5 processor technology, potentially launching before M5-equipped MacBook Pro models. With mass production beginning in late 2025, the device is expected to reach consumers by year's end.