The new iPad Pro family is scheduled to launch on May 7, during Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ event. So far, the company has done a tremendous job in preventing hardware leaks of its latest tablets but looking at the company’s past custom chipset releases, we assumed that the newer models would sport the M3 chipset. However, the latest report states that the technology giant could skip this Apple Silicon and introduce the new M4, granting the new iPad Pro models advanced AI capabilities. In short, we could see Apple’s first AI-centric products getting announced very soon.
The report shares no M4 specifications, but the upcoming Apple Silicon could feature a bigger Neural Engine compared to the M3 for advanced AI features
The update comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who provided the information in the latest edition of his ‘Power On’ newsletter. Sadly, the reporter does not share the M4’s specifications, but he believes that the new iPad Pro lineup will be positioned as Apple’s first AI-powered device. The unveiling of the new slates could also be a preview of what else is expected later in the year, particularly during Apple’s WWDC keynote and its focus on artificial intelligence.
“I’m hearing there is a strong possibility that the chip in the new iPad Pro will be the M4, not the M3. Better yet, I believe Apple will position the tablet as its first truly AI-powered device — and that it will tout each new product from then on as an AI device. This, of course, is all in response to the AI craze that has swept the tech industry over the last couple years.”
It is unlikely that the M4 was developed from scratch on an entirely new architecture, so our hunch tells us that the M3 design could be tweaked while giving the impression that an entirely new Apple Silicon will be introduced. Since the new iPad Pro models will be marketed as Apple’s first AI machines, the M4 may feature a larger Neural Engine to handle those tasks. After all, Apple’s A18 and A18 Pro will reportedly sport this change, as it will be necessary to run generative AI features in iOS 18.
Apple’s previous iPad Pro models can feature 16GB unified memory configurations, so the company will probably retain this option as AI-focused tasks are RAM-intensive. Apart from that, we should see a revamped keyboard accessory that looks similar to a MacBook keyboard while delivering a premium feel thanks to its larger trackpad and aluminum deck.
The design of the 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro models are expected to remain largely the same, but as our readers have heard on so many occasions, that OLED upgrade should be sufficient to entice a purchase. In short, many changes await us during the official announcement, so like always, we will have all the necessary updates ready for you.
