The entire M4 family is yet to be announced, with the M4 Ultra and possibly an even more powerful chipset slated to arrive later in the year. According to the latest development, Apple has already commenced mass production of its next-generation silicon, the M5. Going by this schedule, the technology giant has transitioned into overdrive mode as the cutting-edge SoC will likely be found in a host of product lines, including the immediate successor to the Apple Vision Pro.
The new report mentions that an updated iPad Pro family will be the first product range to receive the M5, with Apple shifting to a better manufacturing process for this chipset
Where the M4 was mass produced on TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process, which is also known as 3nm ‘N3E,’ ETNews has published information spotted by 9to5Mac, mentioning that the M5 will leverage the improved 3nm N3P architecture, leading to efficiency improvements by up to 10 percent and a performance bump of 5 percent. In addition to the upgraded lithography, Apple’s M5 may also be outfitted with a significantly more capable Neural Engine, allowing it to support more demanding generative AI features that run completely on-device.
As for which product lineup Apple will choose to outfit the M5 in, we have reported that the updated iPad Pro series will be the first recipient and could launch by late 2025 or the first half of 2026. The Korean media outlet also mentions the exact details, which pretty much solidifies our belief that Apple is giving its tablet family preference once more. Also, the M5 could be the first SoC from the Cupertino firm to adopt TSMC’s Small Outline Integrated Circuit Packaging.
For those who do not know, this approach allows for the stacking of chips in a three-dimensional structure, resulting in better thermal management, reduced current leakage, and better electrical performance compared to the two-dimensional chip design. Given that the 11-inch and 13-inch are expected to retain the same design as their immediate successors, which includes the razor-thin chassis, selecting a new packaging technology for the M5 could be advantageous here.
The new silicon is also reported to be found in the second-generation Apple Vision Pro, along with refreshed 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, and assuming all of this hardware arrives later this year, we will update our readers accordingly, so stay tuned.
News Source: ETNews
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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