Apple Inc. has refreshed its flagship iPad Pro, Vision Pro headset, and 14-inch MacBook Pro, marking the company’s final round of major product updates before the holiday-shopping season.
The new devices, unveiled Wednesday, feature Apple’s latest in-house processor, the M5 chip, offering a notable boost in performance while maintaining the same pricing and overall design as their predecessors.
Preorders for all three devices began immediately, with shipments and in-store availability set for October 22.
Prices remain unchanged from previous models, a sign that Apple is focusing on performance improvements rather than design overhauls to drive sales during the crucial fourth quarter.
M5 chip brings power boost to iPad Pro
The updated iPad Pro headlines the launch lineup with the addition of the M5 chip, which Apple says makes the tablet powerful enough to outperform many high-end laptops.
The new silicon arrives alongside significant software upgrades introduced with iPadOS 26 last month, giving the device long-awaited multitasking improvements.
The updated operating system allows users to manage multiple apps on-screen with ease, using Mac-like windowing controls that enable resizing and rearranging applications more intuitively.
The interface also introduces a menu bar within apps and support for folders in the home screen dock, improving navigation and productivity.
Apple is maintaining the iPad Pro’s existing 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, starting at $999 and $1,299, respectively.
Both models feature an ultra-thin build and a multilayered “tandem OLED” display, which enhances brightness and energy efficiency.
The design continuity signals Apple’s confidence in the iPad’s hardware, while the software and chip upgrades aim to address long-standing user demands for more robust multitasking.
After a period of sluggish iPad sales in the June quarter, Apple is hoping that the enhanced performance and new OS capabilities will reignite consumer interest.
Some customers, analysts say, may have delayed purchases in anticipation of this refresh.
Vision Pro gets M5 upgrade and comfort improvements
The Vision Pro mixed-reality headset also receives the M5 chip, replacing the M2 processor used in the original model.
The upgrade delivers a substantial leap in performance, allowing the device to better handle augmented reality workloads and emerging AI-driven features.
Apple also introduced a new ergonomic head strap designed to alleviate discomfort during prolonged use, one of the main criticisms of the first-generation headset.
Since its early 2024 release, the Vision Pro has been viewed as a technological achievement but struggled to gain mass-market traction due to its $3,499 price tag and relatively heavy build.
Despite its niche appeal, the Vision Pro remains a showcase of Apple’s hardware and display technology, offering a premium visual experience for movies and immersive applications.
However, the company has been slow to expand its library of 3D content, limiting its appeal to early adopters.
Increasingly, Apple has positioned the Vision Pro as a tool for businesses and professional users, rather than a consumer entertainment device.
Meanwhile, reports suggest the company has paused plans for a cheaper, lighter version of the headset and is shifting its attention toward smart glasses, where competitors such as Meta Platforms Inc. are gaining ground.
Meta’s recently launched Ray-Ban Display glasses have been cited as evidence of the social media giant’s rapid progress in the category.
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