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ZDNET's key takeaways
The upcoming M5 iPad Pro has allegedly already been leaked in unboxing videos.
All three M5 products are expected to be incremental upgrades.
The new Vision Pro could have a more comfortable-to-wear "Dual Knit Band" head strap.
Apple is expected to announce three new "Pro" devices this week, according to a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman. The company is said to be prepping to launch an iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and a new base 14-inch MacBook Pro -- all powered by the next-generation Apple M5 chipset.
The three new Apple products could launch as early as tomorrow, October 15, without a physical launch event. Here's everything we know about them.
1. M5 iPad Pro
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The new iPad Pro is said to feature a minimum of 12GB of RAM, an M5 chip, and two front cameras -- one on each orientation. While there is no specific information about the functionality of the two front-facing cameras, they are touted to deliver a better video-calling experience in both portrait and landscape mode.
The M5 iPad Pro was recently leaked in a pair of unboxing videos by Russian YouTubers. If the videos are to be believed, you can expect a familiar design without the "iPad Pro" moniker inscribed on the back of the device.
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These unboxing videos also gave us a peek at Geekbench 6 results, which portray the Apple M5 as a powerful chip. It could offer up to 12% faster multi-core CPU performance and up to 36% faster GPU performance compared to the M4-powered iPad Pro.
2. A new Vision Pro
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The Apple Vision Pro was one of the most expensive consumer products from the company that didn't catch on. But Apple seems to be committed to this product line. The upcoming Vision Pro is said to offer a more comfortable "Dual Knit Band" head strap and come in an all-new Space Black color option.
The M5 Vision Pro is rumored to include an R2 chip for improved input processing. While it is expected to be built on TSMC's latest 2nm process, earlier reports have suggested that Apple's first chips using that process won't be ready until later next year.
Also: I finally tried Samsung's XR headset, and it beats my Apple Vision Pro in meaningful ways
The new Vision Pro could weigh the same as its predecessor and continue to support Wi-Fi 6, rather than Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 wireless connectivity.
3. 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 processor
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
According to Gurman, a new 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip is ready for launch, ahead of the M5 Max and M5 Pro MacBook Pro debuts. The new device is expected to have no significant changes apart from the chipset boost.
Also: A touchscreen MacBook may finally launch next year - what we know
The higher-end MacBook Pro models with M6 processors, which are still two generations away, are expected to bring more prominent changes. For instance, earlier reports have pointed towards the addition of a touchscreen, an OLED display, and built-in support for cellular connectivity in a thinner design.
Gurman further states that new HomePod mini, Apple TV, and AirTag models are "still very much on the road map," but there are no words on the launch timeline yet. This M5 product release cycle is said to be followed by an upgraded entry-level iPad and iPad Air, Studio Display, iPhone 17e, and M5 MacBook Air in early 2026.