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Key Points
- The Apple M5 chip is expected to debut first in the iPad Pro in autumn 2025, continuing the “iPad first” strategy seen with the M4 chip.
- New MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro/Max chips are now likely delayed until early 2026, pushed from late 2025 due to complex chip development.
- Apple’s AI-focused smart home hub (codenamed J490), combining iPad and HomePod features, is delayed until at least the first half of 2026 because its core AI functionality and Siri updates are not yet ready.
- Early 2026 is projected to be a busy period for Apple, with updates expected for the iPhone 17e, MacBook Air, Apple Studio Display, and entry-level iPads and iPad Air.
The latest intel on the Apple (Pingguo 苹果) M5 chip points to a major strategy shift, with new leaks suggesting a delayed timeline for some of the most anticipated hardware, including the MacBook Pro and a new smart home device.
Here’s the breakdown of what renowned Apple leaker Mark Gurman is reporting for the company’s late 2025 and early 2026 product roadmap.
The New Normal: iPad Pro Gets the M5 Chip First…Again
Get ready for a new trend out of Cupertino.
For the second time in a row, Apple’s latest and greatest self-developed chip is set to debut on a tablet.
The autumn 2025 lineup is expecting a new iPad Pro that will be the first device to feature the M5 chip.
This follows the same playbook as the M4 chip, which unexpectedly launched on the iPad Pro in May 2024.
This “iPad first” strategy could become Apple’s new standard for chip releases.
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Why the MacBook Pro is Hitting Snooze Until 2026
The new 14-inch and 16-inch M5 MacBook Pro models, originally expected by the end of 2025, are now likely pushed to early 2026.
So, what’s the hold-up?
- Complex Chips: Analysts believe the delay is tied to Apple needing more R&D time for the more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max chips required for the Pro laptops.
- Simpler Start: The iPad Pro, on the other hand, only needs the base M5 chip, allowing it to get out the door sooner.
Heads up for Pro users: The next MacBook Pro release will reportedly be the last model to use the current design language introduced back in 2021.
After that, future models are expected to get a completely new chassis and make the jump to vibrant OLED displays.
A Packed Early 2026: Here’s What Else is on the Roadmap
The MacBook Pro delay creates a jam-packed schedule for early next year.
Here’s a quick look at what else is on deck:
- 📱 iPhone 17e: An update to the entry-level iPhone, moving from the A18 to the A19 chip. This signals Apple may be accelerating its entry-level phone updates to an annual cycle, a big change from the slower iPhone SE cadence.
- 💻 MacBook Air: A refresh is planned to coincide with the delayed MacBook Pro launch.
- 🖥️ Apple Studio Display: The external Mac monitor, last updated in 2022, is also due for a refresh in the first half of the year.
- ✍️ Entry-Level iPads: The standard iPad and iPad Air are getting updates around March or April 2026. Expect the iPad Air to be upgraded from the M3 to the M4 chip, with minimal other changes.
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“One More Thing” on Hold: Apple’s AI-Powered Smart Home Hub
For investors and capital markets, incremental chip upgrades are table stakes.
The real excitement comes from major redesigns or entirely new product categories.
Apple had one of those “one more thing” products in the pipeline—a smart home hub combining features of an iPad and a HomePod, codenamed J490.
But its release is now delayed until at least the first half of 2026.
The reason? The AI isn’t ready.
This device’s core functionality relies heavily on a massively upgraded, AI-powered Siri assistant.
Apple already confirmed the big Siri update promised in June 2024 won’t land until 2026, possibly as part of iOS 26.4.
Until the new Siri is ready for primetime, the smart home hub remains on the shelf.
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What This All Means
This evolving roadmap highlights a few key shifts in Apple’s strategy:
- The iPad is becoming the launchpad for Apple’s cutting-edge base-model chips.
- Complex chip development (M5 Pro/Max) can create a domino effect, delaying flagship products like the MacBook Pro.
- Apple’s ambitious push into next-gen AI is the biggest bottleneck holding back new hardware categories.
For now, all eyes are on the iPad Pro to see the debut of the groundbreaking Apple M5 chip and what it signals for the future of the entire ecosystem.
- iPad as Chip Launchpad: The iPad is establishing itself as the primary device for debuting Apple’s base-model chips (e.g., M4, M5).
- Chip Complexity Impacts Flagships: Development of advanced chips like M5 Pro/Max can directly cause delays for major products like the MacBook Pro.
- AI is the Bottleneck: Apple’s next-generation AI capabilities, particularly for Siri, are currently delaying the release of innovative new hardware categories.
References
- 最新苹果爆料：M5芯片或又在iPad首发 智能家居硬件推迟到明年 – Cailianshe (财联社)
- Mark Gurman’s Author Page – Bloomberg
- M5 MacBook Pro delayed until 2026, Apple smart home hardware also pushed – 9to5Mac
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