Apple’s 2024 performance with the M4 chip demonstrated significant power across all devices, but the company’s next step is likely to be an evolution with the upcoming M5 chip, which is expected to launch later this year.
Ming-Chi Kuo, a supply chain analyst, predicts the M5 processor will arrive in the second half of 2025, enabling new Apple devices like the updated Apple Vision Pro, iPads, iPhones, and MacBooks, as Techopedia examines current knowledge and expectations.
Apple M5 Chip: What Is It?
Apple’s M5 chip, the next generation of silicon, will power the 2025 MacBook, iPhone, and iPad ranges. It will aid Apple in the AI race, as Apple Intelligence is still being introduced in a staggered manner across devices like the iPhone 16 and iPad Pro 2024.
Cupertino-based tech giant Apple may shift its focus from AI products to user experience improvement, requiring significant on-board processing power. The iPhone 17 Ultra models, which are expected to have 12GB of RAM, are expected to handle edge AI applications better, powered by the M5 chip, up from 8GB.
Anticipated M5 Chip Specifications & Features
Apple’s Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) may begin production of 2nm chips this year, but mass production is expected to start later in the year. This is due to the “2-nanometer technology,” which features more transistors on a chip than the current 3nm standard, making the prospect of an M5 chip, more powerful than the M4 chip, appealing.
Apple’s A17 Pro chips could use a 2nm process, resulting in a 10-15% speed improvement and 25-30% power reduction compared to the 3nm process. This move could also improve battery life in smartphones and tablets. Despite Apple’s flagship products likely using TSMC’s 3nm process for another generation, 2nm could be a viable option if the stars align.
The jury is still out on the features of Apple’s upcoming iPhone or iPad, including AI inferencing and an improved version of Private Cloud Compute servers. These servers extend processing capabilities into the cloud while keeping user data private, including Apple.
Anticipated Date of Release for the Mac M5 Chip
It is anticipated that the Mac M5 chip will be released in May or June 2025, in conjunction with Apple’s yearly WWDC conference. It will be included in a new product, such as an updated version of the Apple Vision Pro.
Although there hasn’t been much of a response to Apple’s approach to spatial computing thus far, introducing the M5 with a new Vision Pro could be a wise move. However, we anticipate that iPhone and MacBook customers will be the ones to profit from a new chip in the fall of 2025.
We anticipate the M5 base variant will be released first, followed by the M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra, based on the prior release timeline.
The Path Ahead for Apple’s AI Journey Driven by M5 Chips
Apple is still in the early stages of integrating artificial intelligence into its products, with Apple Intelligence still in beta in current models and Siri remaining a voice assistant rather than a large language model (LLM). Despite the hype surrounding AI, Apple remains in a competitive position in the market.
Apple Intelligence has integrated generative AI into 2024 models, but the next generation is expected to fully utilize the technology. The M5’s increased power in device cores could make AI mainstream for less tech-savvy users, highlighting the potential for future advancements.
The Bottom Line
You can’t connect the dots going forward, according to a quote from Steve Jobs. You can only connect them looking backward.” The M4 marked a significant leap for Apple, but the software with the M5 is likely to be the most noticeable. We eagerly anticipate a world with powerful Apple Intelligence powered by the M5 chip.
