Apple’s latest announced iPad Pro is the M5 generation, unveiled in October 2025. The next models are reportedly planned for spring 2027, but Apple has not announced them or confirmed a release date or specifications. Here are four expectations to weigh against what is known today.
What is the next iPad Pro, and when might it arrive?
“New iPad Pro” here means the successor to the M5 models—not a product Apple has announced. A July 1, 2026 report from MacRumors, citing Bloomberg, says Apple is planning new 11-inch and 13-inch models for spring 2027. That is a reported plan, not a confirmed launch window. The report gives no exact date, price, regional availability, or final configuration.
Apple announced the current M5 generation on October 15, 2025. Its 11-inch and 13-inch models have tandem OLED displays. Apple’s announcement is the firm comparison point; details about the successor remain unconfirmed.
Four things to expect—and what remains uncertain
1. Spring 2027 is the reported target
The reported timing is spring 2027. Apple has not confirmed that window, so anyone planning a purchase should treat it as an estimate rather than a scheduled release.
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- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 11-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
2. No major redesign is expected
The same report says major design changes are not expected, with the focus instead on internal upgrades. That is a forecast, not confirmation that the next models will look identical or retain every current feature.
3. The processor could be M6 or M7
The report leaves the successor chip unsettled: it could be M6 or M7, depending on readiness. Neither name is confirmed, and there is no verified performance figure for the future models. It would be premature to assume a particular speed improvement.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
4. Vapor-chamber cooling has reportedly been tested
Apple has reportedly tested vapor-chamber cooling. Such a system could help manage heat during sustained workloads, but testing does not establish that it will ship in the next iPad Pro. No measured benefit or real-world performance result has been reported.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you buy the M5 iPad Pro or wait?
Base the decision on when you need a tablet and how much value you place on features that are confirmed today versus upgrades that remain rumors. The M5 is the current announced generation, with tandem OLED displays in both sizes; the next models’ chip, cooling system, price, and release date are not confirmed.
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- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 11-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
- Buy now if you need an iPad Pro before the reported spring 2027 window and the M5 model meets your needs.
- Consider waiting if your current device is adequate and you are willing to wait for Apple to announce the successor and its actual specifications.
- Do not wait solely for a promised speed gain. No verified performance comparison for the rumored models is available.
Apple’s M5 iPad Pro announcement provides the confirmed details to compare against any future announcement. For the 11-inch model’s technical specifications, see Apple Support’s specifications page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brilliant 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color - Go far with all-day battery life
- Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU - Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi 6E and 5G cellular models available
- 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, 10MP Ultra Wide back camera, and LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR
- iPadOS 16 makes your new iPad even more capable with powerful newly created productivity and collaboration features
- USB-C connector supports Thunderbolt/USB 4 - Works with Apple Pencil (2nd gen) & Magic Keyboard/Smart Keyboard Folio
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
