Will the New iPad Pro Really Have the M4 Chip?

[MacRumors]

While Apple's upcoming iPad Pro models have been expected to feature the M3 chip for over a year, recent reports have unexpectedly suggested that the new devices will instead feature the as-yet-unannounced M4 chip.

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Last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that he now believes there is a "strong possibility" that the upcoming iPad Pro models will be equipped with Apple's next-generation M4 chip, rather than the M3 chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro and iMac six months ago. He said a key new feature of the M4 chip will be an upgraded Neural Engine that boosts performance for AI tasks, and he believes Apple will market the next iPad Pro as an AI-powered device.

Introducing the M4 chip in an iPad and only six months after the previous chip generation would be unprecedented moves. Yet this is not the first time that the new iPad Pro models have been rumored to feature the M4 chip. In March, the chip details of 16 new Apple devices were revealed by a source with a proven track record of sharing accurate information about Apple's plans.

The disclosed technical information contained four identifiers for an unreleased chip that relates to the upcoming 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro models display sizes. This sequence of identifiers suggested that the iPad Pro will contain the M4 chip, rather than the M3. With Gurman now supporting this possibility and the potential of an AI focus, it seems like an increasingly likely eventuality.

If Apple does introduce the M4 chip in the new iPad Pro, its Apple silicon roadmap would appear to be moving faster than expected. It is possible that TSMC's N3E production volume remains low, making it more suitable for a device like the iPad rather than the iPhone or Mac at this point in time.

Apple is expected to announce the new iPad Pro models at its "Let Loose" event on May 7. Do you think the new iPad Pro will contain the M4 chip and why? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Article Link: Will the New iPad Pro Really Have the M4 Chip?

 

[breenmask]

it will have disappointment.

 

[Verified Whiskey]

I’m going to be disappointed if it doesn’t come out with the M4 chip. Not that I was wanting or even expecting it to, but because stocks will likely take a hit because investors did want that and these so-called analysts drove that disappointment directly.

 

[HouseLannister]

Yes. No. Maybe.

 

[incidentallycheckout]

Maybe but it doesn't matter really if they keep iPadOS limited. It already can't take advantage of even the M1.

 

[now i see it]

Nowadays, it they delay a product long enough, the chip inside the next model still needs to keep pace with current chips - hence M4

 

[Realityck]

It’s more likely to be a different M3 SoC designed for iPads. That way consumers are not confused by a different TSMC SoC ID being used.

 

[revelcos]

Unlikely. I will be surprised if they use M4

 

[atonaldenim]

I read the 9to5Mac report (which this post strangely doesn’t credit) and I have to agree with the commenter there that if iPad Pro does get never before seen silicon, an “M3X” iPad-specific chip variant seems to me the most plausible scenario.

They’ve already done that kind of thing a few times with iPad, and it wouldn’t appear to disrupt the Mac upgrade cycle as much. We’ll see…

 

[djinn]

I think releasing the M4 will be a double edge sword. Yes it's great to have the speeds and feeds but a lot of us will be asking and hoping for improvements around iPad OS.

 

[Realityck]

Nowadays, it they delay a product long enough, the chip inside the next model still needs to keep pace with current chips - hence M4

Hardware delays are the least of Apple‘s problems, software matters way more now. The EU DMA now eye balling iPadOS now, and other things planned to be shown at WWDC that involve iPadOS 18.

 

[visualseed]

Either we will be surprised, or a very specific leaker will be surprised by Apple security.

 

[visualseed]

Hardware delays are the least of Apple‘s problems, software matters way more now.

Correct. they still don't come anywhere near taking advantage of the M1 iPad Pro

 

[Serqetry]

Mark Gurman says it'll be M4. But if it's not, his mind wipe ray will make sure you forget he said that. Perfect track record every time!

 

[Newgoblin49]

We’ve all been Gurman’d

 

[TheLinkster]

I'll take it with a grain of Gurman.

 

[Two Appleseeds]

Hell naw. It makes no sense. This was probably leaked Gurman in some crazy internal sting operation at Apple. That or he just made it up.

 

[sw1tcher]

While Apple's upcoming iPad Pro models have been expected to feature the M3 chip for over a year, recent reports have unexpectedly suggested that the new devices will instead feature the as-yet-unannounced M4 chip.

Last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that he now believes there is a "strong possibility" that the upcoming iPad Pro models will be equipped with Apple's next-generation M4 chip, rather than the M3 chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro and iMac six months ago....

... but obviously things can still theoretically change

 

[PotentPeas]

M4? The name is just marketing. It could be something different than M3 with a "better neural engine" but they may call it M3X or M3 AI+ or whatever they want to, if they're not ready to start the M4 generation yet.

 

[SpaceMagic]

As others have said, who cares what chip is in there if it's a heavily restrictive device. Plug your Samsung phone into a monitor and see what you get compared to the iPad...

 

[Rogifan]

So is Apple going to announce software features that only work with new hardware?

 

[aandre]

While Apple's upcoming iPad Pro models have been expected to feature the M3 chip for over a year, recent reports have unexpectedly suggested that the new devices will instead feature the as-yet-unannounced M4 chip.

Last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that he now believes there is a "strong possibility" that the upcoming iPad Pro models will be equipped with Apple's next-generation M4 chip, rather than the M3 chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro and iMac six months ago. He said a key new feature of the M4 chip will be an upgraded Neural Engine that boosts performance for AI tasks, and he believes Apple will market the next iPad Pro as an AI-powered device.

Introducing the M4 chip in an iPad and only six months after the previous chip generation would be unprecedented moves. Yet this is not the first time that the new iPad Pro models have been rumored to feature the M4 chip. In March, the chip details of 16 new Apple devices were revealed by a source with a proven track record of sharing accurate information about Apple's plans.

The disclosed technical information contained four identifiers for an unreleased chip that relates to the upcoming 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro models display sizes. This sequence of identifiers suggested that the iPad Pro will contain the M4 chip, rather than the M3. With Gurman now supporting this possibility and the potential of an AI focus, it seems like an increasingly likely eventuality.

If Apple does introduce the M4 chip in the new iPad Pro, its Apple silicon roadmap would appear to be moving faster than expected. It is possible that TSMC's N3E production volume remains low, making it more suitable for a device like the iPad rather than the iPhone or Mac at this point in time.

Apple is expected to announce the new iPad Pro models at its "Let Loose" event on May 7. Do you think the new iPad Pro will contain the M4 chip and why? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Article Link: Will the New iPad Pro Really Have the M4 Chip?

I don’t understand it. The MacBook Air with M3 just came out and we already have the M4? How often does Apple release new chips?

 

[Jim Lahey]

It needs a headphone jack and data through the keyboard before it needs a quantum chip.

 

[Portavoz]

I'll go with M3X as opposed to a proper M4 that shows up in Macs later. In the end though it doesn't matter with the same ole iPadOS limitations.

 

[NT1440]

I’m gonna say no, with the caveat that it makes sense for Apple and TSMC to get off N3B as soon as possible as it’s a dead end with Apple being pretty much the only volume purchaser of it 🤷‍♂️