Apple is expected to launch 8+ new products this week, headlined by the iPhone 17 lineup. But a surprise appearance of the forthcoming M5 iPad Pro is now looking even more likely too.
New signs point to higher likelihood of M5 iPad Pro launch at September event
This week’s iPhone 17 event is shaping up to be packed with new product announcements. We’re expecting four iPhone 17 models, Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and more.
Apple has a handful of rumored products in the pipeline that could also make September 9 appearances.
However, until recently, I didn’t believe the M5 iPad Pro would be among them.
I figured the keynote was already too full, especially for a product that will debut the first M5 chip—thus meriting a lengthier introduction.
But a couple recent developments have me starting to change my mind.
First, a highly reputable leaker with an anonymous X account posted twice in succession last night.
The two posts included device details for the M5 iPad Pro line (11-inch and 13-inch models in Wi-Fi and cellular configs) and the new Apple Watch lineup (including the SE 3).
I found the timing of these posts curious, since they arrived right on the cusp of Apple’s big September 9 event. Additionally, the Watch products are almost certainly launching at that event—which makes me think the new iPad Pros might be too.
The post alone didn’t convince me, but then I did a little digging.
This September marks the 10-year anniversary of the first iPad Pro being introduced. But I didn’t realize exactly what day the anniversary fell on.
After a quick search, I learned that September 9, 2015 was the exact date of that first iPad Pro announcement.
That’s right: exactly 10 years to the day from this week’s September event.
Launch timing for M5 iPad Pro: wrap-up
All signs already pointed to the M5 iPad Pro arriving this fall. Since that’s the case, it sure would make a lot of sense for Apple to launch it on the 10-year anniversary of the first iPad Pro.
Not just because of the anniversary, but also because iPadOS 26 is launching soon. And it’s easily the biggest productivity upgrade ever for iPad software. The best reason yet to “go Pro.”
The timing of the X account’s post, combined with the 10-year iPad Pro anniversary, and iPadOS 26 enabling a new wave of iPad productivity, makes September 9 look like the perfect date to launch the M5 iPad Pro.
And if it does, we might be looking at one of the most jam-packed Apple hardware events in years.
Do you expect Apple to launch the M5 iPad Pro this week? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPad accessories