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Will the New iPad Pro Really Have the M4 Chip?

Another relevant article
www.macworld.com

A new iPad Pro is coming to take the tablet crown (and your money)

A lot has happened since Apple last updated the iPad Pro. What should we expect on May 7?
www.macworld.com www.macworld.com

No anxiety about performance​

Rumors this past week have suggested that the new iPad Pro might skip right past the M3 and go to an M4 processor. I don’t find myself particularly convinced, given that Apple hasn’t even finished rolling out its M3 Macs yet, but some devices have missed processor generations before (the iMac sat out the M2, for example).

Still, what isn’t up for dispute is that Apple will bring even more performance to the iPad line with a speed boost between around 20 and 40 percent, depending on what chips it ends up using. While that certainly might feel like a nice improvement for those using their iPads for heavy lifting like video and audio editing, it’s unlikely to make a big difference for those using the tablets as content-consuming devices; the OLED displays will make far more of a difference for your streaming shows.

Those M4 rumors also suggest that the new iPad Pro might be positioned as a powerhouse for generative AI because it’s all generative AI nowadays. What that means is anyone’s guess: Apple’s chips have long built in a Neural Engine accelerator specifically designed for machine learning tasks, but given that the company has even pushed the latest MacBook Air as “the world’s best consumer laptop for AI“, there’s little doubt that Apple will at least market the new iPad Pro as such, even if there’s no substantial changes to its silicon designs.
 
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N3E will be backwards compatible with future 3NM processes, and it’s likely both Apple and TSMC probably want to move away from their current Apple only N3B process.
Also, the A17Pro received a updated neural engine while the M3 did not.

So yes, I think it’s likely that the iPad Pro features a different chip than the M3.
The question is, do they consider that a bump big enough to call M4?

I think it’s likely, given the recent reporting that starting in the fall Apple plans to basically upgrade the entire Mac line and possibly a short as six months.
They are clearly hoping that the AI improvements will create a post pandemic upgrade wave, I could absolutely see them starting with the iPad Pro, which desperately needs a great back to school season.
 
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It depends on what Apple’s plans for iPadOS/iOS are this summer. If Apple is really going to try and position itself as an “A.I. first” company, then introducing an “AI first” Apple Silicon chip in the iPad, then again in the iPhone, makes a ton of sense. The problem for this rumor, though, is we wouldn’t see Apple’s full vision until it announces new OSes at WWDC. So if it does have M4, I expect a release date after WWDC when Apple shows it’s vision to the world.
 
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I'm going with Apple releasing AI features that only work with the iPhone 16. So why make the iPad Pro come with more AI capability? M3 FTW.
 
I don't know why it would surprise so many people. I believe these reports, for a couple reasons. First, the M4 chips were rumored to enable new AI features. Apple is going to want the newest iPads to be able to take advantage of that. Second, the industry is getting more competitive. Qualcomm is coming out with new chips comparable with M3, so it would be wise for Apple to move faster with their updates to stay ahead.
 
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Lounge vibes 05 said:
They are clearly hoping that the AI improvements will create a post pandemic upgrade wave, I could absolutely see them starting with the iPad Pro, which desperately needs a great back to school season.
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Isn't that Mark Gurmans speculation, not Apples? He's the one hyperventilating about AI in his articles. Just like how much he talked up the Apple headset being so great. You know save that part of the industry, convince consumers that everyone needs one. ;)
 
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I wonder if M4 will just be an M3 refresh, like M2 more or less was for M1. A few improvements across the board, overhauled neural engine, different memory configuration options.
 
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They'll get a M3X or something like that to fragment things even more. But hey, if that means the Airs will get M3, I'm all for it.
 
erikkfi said:
I say M3 with a beefed-up “neural engine.” M3 Plus?
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I’ve seen multiple comments about a new M3 version, but I’m skeptical Apple goes this route. They seem to want to keep the Apple Silicon product line-up as simple as possible. Introducing a new “iPad only” chip just muddies the waters and makes marketing that much harder.
 
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Populus said:
Thanks! It’s an interesting point and I mostly agree with it! But still… the next iPad Pro is probably having the M4.
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The most interesting point of contention is that Apple has not named any SoC as a M4 yet. No TMSC or Apple documentation or roadmap shows that. Perhaps Apple will discuss this at WWDC? :cool:
 
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Realityck said:
Isn't that Mark Gurmans speculation, not Apples? He's the one hyperventilating about AI in his articles. Just like how much he talked up the Apple headset being so great. You know save that part of the industry, convince consumers that everyone needs one. ;)
Click to expand...
Well Tim clearly thought it was important enough to the shareholders to mention it on the earnings call.
Plus, it’s where they have been making dozens and dozens of acquisitions these past couple years…
Clearly, they think it’s important, just look at the recent MacBook Air M3 press release.
 
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Lounge vibes 05 said:
N3E will be backwards compatible with future 3NM processes, and it’s likely both Apple and TSMC probably want to move away from their current Apple only N3B process.
Also, the A17Pro received a updated neural engine while the M3 did not.

So yes, I think it’s likely that the iPad Pro features a different chip than the M3.
The question is, do they consider that a bump big enough to call M4?

I think it’s likely, given the recent reporting that starting in the fall Apple plans to basically upgrade the entire Mac line and possibly a short as six months.
They are clearly hoping that the AI improvements will create a post pandemic upgrade wave, I could absolutely see them starting with the iPad Pro, which desperately needs a great back to school season.
Click to expand...
I completely agree and share your reasoning. Yes, the next iPad Pro will be the icebreaker of the next Apple Silicon generation.
 
Orange Bat said:
I’ve seen multiple comments about a new M3 version, but I’m skeptical Apple goes this route. They seem to want to keep the Apple Silicon product line-up as simple as possible. Introducing a new “iPad only” chip just muddies the waters and makes marketing that much harder.
Click to expand...
I mean, they already have base M, pro, max and ultra.
 
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Orange Bat said:
I’ve seen multiple comments about a new M3 version, but I’m skeptical Apple goes this route. They seem to want to keep the Apple Silicon product line-up as simple as possible. Introducing a new “iPad only” chip just muddies the waters and makes marketing that much harder.
Click to expand...
I think Apple has proven they can still do a great job of marketing despite a confusing product lineup with too many options and unclear names.
 
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