Apple is gearing up for another major hardware refresh — but this time, without the fanfare of a live event.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is ready to release new versions of the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, each powered by the company’s new M5 chip.
Rather than hosting a traditional keynote, Apple will unveil the products through a series of press releases and YouTube promos, continuing its trend of quiet fall rollouts for mid-cycle hardware updates.
No Event — Just Press Releases This Time
The reports stated that Apple will not hold a launch event for these M5-equipped devices. Instead, the company will make the announcements through:
- A series of Apple Newsroom press releases
- Short promotional YouTube videos for each product
The timing of the announcement remains fluid, with Gurman noting that Apple could delay until after Columbus Day (U.S.) and Thanksgiving (Canada), which both fall on Monday, October 13, 2025.
If so, the press releases could arrive as early as Tuesday, October 14, or later in the week.
Mark Gurman, Power On newsletter:
“The products set to be updated this week include the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and likely the base 14-inch MacBook Pro — all with the M5 chip.”
iPad Pro: M5 Chip Confirmed, 12GB RAM Baseline
The next-generation iPad Pro appears to be the most thoroughly detailed of the three new products. Two unboxing videos that surfaced in Russia last week confirmed key hardware specifications.
Confirmed Features
- Apple M5 chip
- 12GB of baseline RAM (up from 8GB minimum in M4 models)
- Same external design as the current model
- No “iPad Pro” engraving on the back (a small branding change)
One of the leaked videos included Geekbench 6 benchmark results, showing:
- +12% faster multi-core CPU performance
- +36% faster GPU performance compared to the M4 chip
| Component | M4 iPad Pro (2024) | M5 iPad Pro (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 9-core | 9-core (3 performance + 6 efficiency) |
| GPU | 10-core | +36% faster GPU |
| RAM | 8–16GB | 12–24GB (expected) |
| Display | Tandem OLED | Same |
| Camera | 12MP single front | Possibly dual, unconfirmed |
Dual Front Cameras Still Unverified
Earlier rumors suggested that the new iPad Pro would feature two front-facing cameras, enabling seamless FaceTime calls in both portrait and landscape orientations. However, the Russian unboxing videos did not show a second front camera, leaving that feature uncertain.
Analysis:
Apple seems to be prioritizing raw performance and efficiency over hardware redesigns this cycle. The jump to 12GB of RAM and GPU optimization indicates a focus on pro workflows like 3D design, media editing, and on-device AI inference.
Vision Pro: M5 Upgrade and New Comfort Band
Apple’s spatial computing headset, the Vision Pro, will also receive an incremental refresh this week. Gurman says the updated version will include the M5 chip — though earlier rumors had pointed to an M4 upgrade instead.
Expected Enhancements
- M5 chip for improved processing performance
- New “Dual Knit Band” for greater comfort
- Space Black color option
- Continued support for Wi-Fi 6 (no Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7)
Interestingly, leaked FCC filings inadvertently revealed these hardware details before being pulled from public view.
| Feature | Current Vision Pro (2024) | Updated Vision Pro (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | M2 + R1 chips | M5 (single chip) |
| Band | Solo Knit Band | Dual Knit Band |
| Color Options | Silver | Silver + Space Black |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 (no change) |
| Display | micro-OLED | Same |
| Input Processing | R1 chip | Possibly replaced by R2 (unconfirmed) |
R2 Chip Rumor Still Unlikely
A previous report suggested that Apple might introduce a new R2 input-processing chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process, but Gurman now says that’s unlikely.
TSMC’s first 2nm chips are expected in late 2026, meaning the Vision Pro’s R2 silicon won’t debut until a future generation.
Is This Vision Pro 2? Not Quite
Despite the internal upgrades, Apple will likely market this model as a spec-bumped Vision Pro, not a full Vision Pro 2.
Multiple reports claim that Apple has paused development of both a lightweight “Vision Air” and a true second-generation Vision Pro to focus on more affordable smart glasses.
Industry analyst Daniel Kim (Display Supply Chain Consultants):
“Apple seems to be recalibrating Vision Pro development. This update is more about comfort, color options, and chip parity across the M5 product family.”
MacBook Pro: Base 14-Inch Model First to Get M5
Apple’s base 14-inch MacBook Pro is also ready to join the M5 lineup.
The upgrade follows Apple’s usual pattern of staggered chip rollouts, starting with entry-level models before releasing higher-end versions featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max processors in early 2026.
What to Expect
- M5 chip (10-core CPU, 12-core GPU configuration likely)
- No major design changes — same aluminum chassis and mini-LED display
- Same port layout and keyboard as current model
| Model | Chip | Launch Window | Notable Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4) | M4 | April 2024 | Design unchanged |
| 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5) | M5 | October 2025 | Faster, more efficient |
| 14/16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/Max) | M5 Pro / M5 Max | Early 2026 | GPU + CPU scaling |
| Future MacBook Pro (M6) | M6 (2nm) | Late 2027 | OLED display, thinner, touchscreen |
Looking Ahead: Big Redesign in 2027
According to Gurman, the two-generations-away MacBook Pros (with M6 chips) will deliver major upgrades:
- OLED displays
- Touchscreen input
- Thinner, lighter chassis
- Built-in cellular connectivity
Other Products Still in the Pipeline
Gurman added that several other Apple devices remain on the company’s roadmap:
- Apple TV (new hardware refresh)
- HomePod mini (updated smart audio chip)
- AirTag 2 (improved U2/U3 precision tracking)
- Entry-level iPad and iPad Air (early 2026)
- MacBook Air and Studio Display (early 2026)
- iPhone 17e (budget iPhone, early 2026)
None of these products are expected to appear this week but are slated for early next year launches.
Why Apple Skipped a Launch Event
Skipping a formal event for these releases reflects Apple’s evolving launch strategy. With the M5 chip largely delivering incremental performance boosts, Apple can safely roll out updates through press releases without the need for stage presentations.
This approach saves production costs and avoids “event fatigue,” while still maintaining weekly media momentum through sequential announcements.
Tech journalist Maya Hernandez (TechScope Weekly):
“Apple is turning its product cycle into a steady drip-feed. Every few weeks, there’s a new drop — it keeps attention consistent without overhyping incremental upgrades.”
What Happens Next
The M5 cycle begins this week with the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and 14-inch MacBook Pro. Over the next six months, the M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra chips are expected to expand across Apple’s Mac lineup, eventually reaching:
- Mac Studio
- Mac mini
- Mac Pro
These chips will mark Apple’s final 3-nanometer generation before the company transitions to 2-nanometer M6 silicon in 2027.
FAQs
Q1. Which Apple products are launching this week?
The iPad Pro (M5), Vision Pro (M5), and 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5).
Q2. Will Apple hold a launch event?
No — announcements will come via press releases and YouTube promos.
Q3. What’s new in the iPad Pro?
The M5 chip, 12GB base RAM, and minor design tweaks.
Q4. What about Vision Pro 2?
This is a spec refresh, not a full second-generation model.
Q5. When will the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips arrive?
Early 2026, in higher-end MacBook Pro models.
