Tag: Apple M5

  • MacBook Pro with M5 Launch Delayed; New iPad and More Leaked

    MacBook Pro with M5 Launch Delayed; New iPad and More Leaked

    Key Takeaways

    1. Apple is expected to launch new iPhones and Apple Watches in September 2025, along with an iPad Pro featuring the M5 chip in October.
    2. A successor to the Apple Vision Pro with an upgraded M4 chipset and improved head strap is anticipated by the end of 2025.
    3. New products like Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are expected to include Apple’s own WiFi chip; however, the new MacBook Pro has been delayed to early 2026.
    4. The MacBook Air M5 is set to launch in early 2026, alongside refreshed budget-friendly iPads and the iPad Air with the M4 chip.
    5. A new Apple Studio Display and a smart home hub are likely to debut in the first half of 2026, while a more affordable MacBook with an iPhone processor is also rumored.


    Based on leaked identification numbers and code from an internal version of iOS 18, a new report from Bloomberg provides further details on the products Apple is expected to launch within the next twelve months.

    Expected Launches in Late 2025

    The product lineup for the second half of 2025 doesn’t hold many surprises, as it’s likely that Apple will unveil new iPhones and Apple Watches in September, as is the custom. Following this, there is an expectation of the iPad Pro powered by the Apple M5 chip in October, which will likely see minimal upgrades apart from the system-on-chip. Additionally, the Apple Vision Pro is anticipated to have a successor, which will feature an upgraded Apple M4 chipset and a more comfortable head strap. The following Apple products are expected to launch by the end of the year:

    Apple roadmap for H2 2025

    Earlier speculations have also suggested a new Apple TV 4K and a HomePod mini, both of which are anticipated to incorporate Apple’s own WiFi chip for the first time. Notably, a new MacBook Pro, which should have been based on the Apple M5 Pro and M5 Max, is missing from this list. Bloomberg reports that the launch of this product has been delayed until early 2026. This iteration is said to be the last with the current design before the MacBook Pro transitions to a thinner and lighter chassis with an OLED screen.

    Looking Ahead to Early 2026

    The MacBook Air M5 is also expected to be introduced early next year. In March or April 2026, Apple may refresh its most budget-friendly iPad along with the iPad Air, equipping them with newer processors. However, the iPad Air is expected to lag a generation behind the iPad Pro, featuring the Apple M4 chip. Aside from the new processor, there are no significant changes or updates planned. Particularly exciting is the possibility of a new Apple Studio Display, since the current model is now over three years old. Additionally, the long-anticipated smart home hub could debut in the first half of 2026. Notably absent from Bloomberg’s list is a more affordable MacBook utilizing an iPhone processor, which is also rumored to launch early in 2026.

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  • Apple Roadmap Leak Reveals Hardware Upgrades for Mac Devices

    Apple Roadmap Leak Reveals Hardware Upgrades for Mac Devices

    Key Takeaways

    1. Apple is set to release the M5 chip this year, primarily for MacBook devices, with the M5 Pro and M5 Max also in development.
    2. Upcoming devices such as the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Mini will be powered by the M5 series, while the new iPad Pro is not included in this release cycle.
    3. The M5 Pro and M5 Max will feature advanced packaging technology to enhance performance and heat management by separating the CPU from the GPU.
    4. The MacBook Air will not receive an M5 upgrade until 2026, but an A18 Pro-powered MacBook Air is confirmed to be in development.
    5. The next generation, M6 series chips, are anticipated for late 2026 and may include an integrated 5G modem, produced using TSMC’s advanced N2 process.


    A previous roadmap has confirmed that Apple is actively developing its next generation of M-series chips. These chips will be released each year, with the Apple M5 expected to make its debut this year alongside a MacBook, rather than an iPad Pro. Apple Insider has provided new insights into what Cupertino plans for the upcoming months. The Apple M5 is anticipated to power several devices during the latter half of 2025.

    Upcoming Devices

    To begin with, there will be a MacBook Pro featuring the M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max. In addition, an iMac powered by the M5 is set to launch alongside a Mac Mini equipped with both the M5 Pro and M5. In short, any device released in 2024 will receive an M5 upgrade. The M5, along with the M5 Pro and M5 Max, is likely to be produced using TSMC’s N3P technology. Curiously, the new iPad Pro is missing from this list, even though it has begun mass production.

    Performance Enhancements

    Moreover, the M5 Pro and M5 Max will utilize TSMC’s System-in-Integrated-Chips-Moulding-Horizontal (SoIC-mH) packaging. This innovative design will enable Apple to separate the CPU from the GPU, leading to improved performance and heat management. Furthermore, the Mac Pro is anticipated to get a significant upgrade, but it remains uncertain which chip will be included in it.

    If the latest Mac Studio serves as any indication, it could use the Apple M3 Ultra or the yet-to-be-revealed M4 Ultra (with the code name Hidra) mentioned in a previous roadmap. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air, much like its predecessor, will not see an M5 upgrade until 2026. In addition, Apple Insider has confirmed that the previously rumored A18 Pro-powered MacBook Air is indeed real.

    Future Developments

    The excitement continues with the upcoming Apple M6 series. For one thing, it may be the first of Apple’s M-series chips to incorporate an integrated 5G modem, although it is unclear if this will be Apple’s own C1. Another significant enhancement for the MacBook Pro lineup could be a tandem OLED screen, similar to what is currently featured on the iPad Pro, although some reports suggest otherwise.

    The Apple M6, M6 Pro, and M6 Max are expected to be released in the latter half of 2026. These chips are projected to be manufactured using TSMC’s N2 (2 nm) process. TSMC N2 marks the introduction of Nanosheet (also known as GAAFET) transistors, which promise to deliver a substantial improvement in both performance and thermal efficiency.

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  • Apple M6, M7 SoCs and Powerful AI Chip with 6x M3 Ultra Cores

    Apple M6, M7 SoCs and Powerful AI Chip with 6x M3 Ultra Cores

    Key Takeaways

    1. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 series, new Apple Watch models, and a MacBook Pro with the M5 SoC in Fall 2025.
    2. Apple is developing new SoCs, including the M6 “Komodo” and M7 “Borneo,” which may debut in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
    3. A new AI server chip, codenamed “Baltra,” is in development and could feature 64 to 192 CPU cores and 160 to 480 GPU cores, expected to release in 2027.
    4. The current Apple M3 Ultra chip boasts significant performance improvements over the M2 Ultra, with up to 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores.
    5. Apple is also working on another SoC named “Sotra” for future Macs, though details about its specifications and target devices remain unclear.


    Like in the past few years, Apple is likely to unveil many new products in the Fall of 2025. We might witness the launch of the new iPhone 17 series, various accessories like updated Apple Watch models, and a new MacBook Pro before 2025 wraps up. This upcoming MacBook Pro could feature the new Apple M5 SoC.

    New Developments in SoCs

    Bloomberg has reported that besides the M5, Apple is also developing several other SoCs, including a new AI server chip. According to the report, Apple is working on the M6 “Komodo” and the M7 “Borneo” SoCs. If they stick to their usual launch timeline for SoCs, we could see the Apple M6 and M7 debut in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

    Exciting AI Chip News

    In a more exciting twist, the report mentions that Cupertino is creating a new AI server chip with the codename “Baltra.” Supposedly, Apple’s new AI chip is in collaboration with Broadcom and is expected to hit the market in 2027. This chip may have an enormous core count, as Apple appears to be testing configurations with 2x, 4x, and 6x the CPU and GPU cores compared to the M3 Ultra.

    For some context, the Apple M3 Ultra features up to 32 CPU cores, 80 GPU cores, and a 32-core Neural Engine for AI functions. Apple has stated that the M3 Ultra is about 1.5x quicker than the M2 Ultra when it comes to CPU performance and 2x faster for GPU tasks.

    Speculations on Core Counts

    Thus, Apple’s new AI server chip could potentially feature anywhere from 64 to 192 CPU cores and 160 to 480 GPU cores. These figures are substantial, so we should reserve judgment until more information is available.

    In addition to the M6, M7, and the “Baltra” AI server chip, it seems Apple is also working on an SoC codenamed “Sotra” for the Macs. No technical specs have been shared about this SoC, nor do we know whether it is aimed at future desktop Macs or MacBooks. If we were to make an educated guess, a high-end desktop chip appears to be the most logical choice, given that Apple’s current M-series SoCs serve the laptop market quite effectively.

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  • Apple M5 Starts Mass Production at TSMC’s N3P Node

    Apple M5 Starts Mass Production at TSMC’s N3P Node

    Apple’s new chip for laptops and tablets, called the M5, has begun mass production. This means we can expect it to be available around mid to late 2025, probably with either an iPad Pro or a MacBook Pro. Unlike earlier reports suggested, it won’t utilize TSMC’s N2 node but will rely on the N3-based N3P instead. This choice should provide a 5% boost in performance and enhance power efficiency by up to 10%.

    Improvements in Design

    Even though it won’t feature TSMC’s cutting-edge N2 gate-all-around technology (Nanosheets), the Apple M5 will include several significant upgrades. Among these is the SoIC-mH (System-on-Integrated-Chips-holding-Horizontal) packaging, enabling a more compact design. Additionally, the new substrate design will permit more chips to be stacked vertically, making the architecture more efficient. The report also hints at the introduction of an Apple M5 Ultra chip.

    Future Production Plans

    Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo hinted at the M5 Ultra’s production starting in 2026, signaling a comeback of the Ultra-branded chips from Apple after a two-generation gap. Kuo also mentioned that the Apple M5 will uniquely separate the unified CPU and GPU, which could be a strategic move to enhance AI performance—an area that has gained significant attention recently.

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  • TSMC’s 2nm Process Costs Over $30,000 Per Wafer

    TSMC’s 2nm Process Costs Over $30,000 Per Wafer

    The next major development for TSMC is its future N2 manufacturing process. As of early October, this technology is still under development, but an article from Commercial Times reveals potential costs associated with producing chips using this advanced method.

    Cost of N2 Technology

    The information suggests that creating a single 300-mm wafer with N2 technology will exceed $30,000. This is a significant amount, especially compared to past processes.

    In comparison, wafers made with N3 technology (commonly known as the 3nm process) are priced at around $18,500. Older technologies like N4 and N5 are even cheaper, costing about $15,000 each. This indicates that the expense of utilizing the upcoming N2 technology could be nearly double that of the N4 and N5 processes.

    Benefits of N2 Technology

    The increased costs might be largely justified by the various advantages the new technology promises to deliver. As reported by Tom’s Hardware, the 2nm process is expected to be highly efficient, boasting over 25% lower energy usage compared to N3E.

    It is important to mention that these figures are not officially provided by TSMC, so they should be viewed with caution. Additionally, pricing may fluctuate based on several factors, including order size and customer needs.

    Potential Early Adopters

    Apple is likely to be one of the first companies to adopt N2 technology. This includes the M5 series chips for devices like iPads, Mac minis, iMacs, and MacBooks, as well as the next A-series chips for iPhones. Other companies such as Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, Mediatek, and Nvidia may join later on in the process.

    Commercial Times (in Chinese) via Tom’s Hardware