Apple's M5 Chip: A Leap Towards AI-Centric Computing

Why Apple's M5 chip might be their biggest bet yet

Apple's M5 chip production is set to begin in the second half of 2025, causing a delay for the refresh of the iPad Pro, according to The Elec. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also reported that mass production of the M5 iPad Pro will take place then, while the company plans to maintain an annual update cycle for its iPad Pro models. The upcoming iPad Pro will reportedly be the first device to feature the new M5 chip, which was anticipated to debut alongside the OLED iPad Pro in late 2025. Earlier speculation suggested that the refreshed models might be unveiled at a spring event in March to April 2025, alongside the M4 MacBook Air models. However, this event may instead focus solely on the MacBook Air and iPad Air, without featuring the updated iPad Pro. Kuo emphasized that although the M5 iPad Pro will integrate the latest chip technology, there will be no significant external design changes compared to the existing M4 version. The appearance of the device is likely to remain identical, following the significant redesign introduced earlier this year with the M4 chip. Additionally, there are indications that the M5 chip will be geared toward artificial intelligence capabilities, reflecting industry's growing focus on AI. As Apple develops its technologies, the M5 chips will likely utilize TSMC's advanced System on Integrated Chip (SoIC) technology, which is designed to enhance transistor density and performance while ensuring lower energy requirements. These new processors are expected to deliver improved speed and performance, operating at 3 nanometer technology standards, marking a continuation of Apple's strategy to consistently upgrade its Silicon offerings. Industry reports suggest that production of the M5 chips will take place at TSMC, which has an established collaboration with companies like AMD and Nvidia for similar AI-focused technologies. While many details about the M5 chip's capabilities remain unclear, the emphasis on AI integration hints at enhancements in graphics processing units (GPUs) and neural engines. Apple's substantial investments in 5G networking could also complement the performance benefits realized through these chips, as network capabilities are critical for effective AI implementation.

Apple Forgoes 2nm Fabrication For M5 Chip Due To High Costs, Opts For TSMC's System-On-Integrated-Chip Technology; Mass Production Begins Late 2025

Apple's M4 chip was unveiled with the launch of the OLED iPad Pro models back in April, and the company has gradually introduced the M4 Pro and M4 Max variants of the chipset recently. The M4 Pro and M4 Macs boast impressive performance gains over the M3 chip, and it only brings us to question what performance gains can we expect with the M5 chip. Apple has now ordered M5 chips from TSMC ahead of 2025 production plans. According to a new report from The Elec, Apple has already ordered M5 chips for iPad Pro and Macs from TSMC, which will deliver enhanced computational and graphical performance. The M5 chips are slated to feature enhanced ARM architecture and will be fabricated on TSMC's advanced 3nm process technology. The company's current M4 chips are also built on the 3nm process, but the forthcoming variants will bring additional performance gains. Apple has ditched 2nm technology for the M5 chip, possibly due to its cost, and it will wait another year or so to adopt it for the M and A series of chips for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, this does not necessarily mean that the M5 chip will not be an upgrade over the existing M4 chip in terms of performance, and the company will achieve this feat using TSMC's System on Integrated Chip technology or SoIC. Apple has deepened its partnership with TSMC for its next-generation hybrid SoIC packaging that uses thermoplastics carbon fiber composite molding technology. This 3D chip-stacking method will allow the chips to improve their thermal management and minimize electrical leakages compared to the traditional 2D design. The new chips allegedly entered a small-scale trial production phase back in July, and if there are no technical issues involved, the supplier will move to the next phase. Apple is eager to bring M5 chips to the iPad and Macs starting next year, and as mentioned, the chips will bolster enormous gains in performance while being more power efficient. The chips will enter the mass production stage in the second half of 2025, which means that the company could skip the iPad Pro upgrade in the Spring and reserve the upgrade for latter next year or in the Spring of 2026. The MacBook Pro models could be the first devices to get Apple's M5 chip, while the M5 MacBook Air models are slated to launch in the Spring of 2026. There is a chance that the M5 iPad Pro models will launch alongside the M5 MacBook Pro models, but the final word rests with Apple, so be sure to take the news with a grain of salt. Apple also plans to use the M5 chip in its AI server infrastructure to bolster premium Apple Intelligence features, which could be in the works. It was recently reported that the company is working on LLM Siri, a new large language model for the company's digital assistant, which will replace ChatGPT integration, which will be available to users in the Spring of 2026. While it is too early to draw conclusions, Apple has big plans for Apple Intelligence, and having raw power from the M5 chips could open new doors for the company.

Apple won't use TSMC 2nm chip for M5 chip over high costs, will use SoIC packaging in late 2025

TL;DR: Apple has ordered next-gen M5 chips from TSMC for iPad Pro and Macs, with production in 2H 2025. The M5 chips will use TSMC's 3nm process and SoIC technology for better thermal management, with the new M5 chips to enhance AI capabilities in consumer devices and cloud services. Apple has reportedly ordered next-gen M5 chips for its new iPad Pro and Macs from TSMC, with mass production expected in 2H 2025. In a new report from TheElec, we're learning that Apple's new M5 chips will be made on TSMC's new 3nm process node, and not the advanced 2nm node that was previously expected. Apple's current-gen M4 chips are made on TSMC 3nm process node, but the new M5 chips are NOT being made on 2nm most likely because of the higher costs involved. Instead, Apple is expected to use TSMC's new System-on-Integrated-Chip (SoIC) technology, with the 3D chip-stacking approach boosts thermal management and reduces electrical leakage compared to traditional 2D designs for its new M5 processors. Apple has reportedly expanded its cooperation with TSMC for the next-generation hybrid SoIC packaging technology, which also combines thermoplastic carbon fiber composite molding technology. This new packaging technology reportedly entered a small trial production phase in July 2024. It's expected that Apple's new M5 processors will be used in new iPad Pros and Macs, but also in Apple's AI server farms. According to a particular report, because the company is using a dual-use SoIC design, Apple can use its new M5 processor in its AI server infrastructure to increase its AI capabilities across both consumer devices (iPads, Macs, etc) and cloud services.

Apple Orders M5 Chips From TSMC Ahead of Late 2025 Production

Apple has ordered M5 chips from TSMC as the company begins production development of its next-generation processor for future devices, claims a new Korean-language report by The Elec. The M5 series is expected to feature an enhanced ARM architecture and will reportedly be manufactured using TSMC's advanced 3-nanometer process technology. Apple's decision to forgo TSMC's more advanced 2nm process for the M5 chip is believed to be primarily due to cost considerations. Despite this, the M5 will feature significant advancements over the M4, notably through the adoption of TSMC's System on Integrated Chip (SoIC) technology. This 3D chip-stacking approach enhances thermal management and reduces electrical leakage compared to traditional 2D designs. Apple is said to have expanded its cooperation with TSMC on the next-generation hybrid SoIC package, which also combines thermoplastic carbon fiber composite molding technology. The package reportedly entered a small trial production phase in July. Apple's forthcoming M5 chip is anticipated to bring significant enhancements in performance and efficiency across various devices. Production could begin as early as the second half of 2025, with the first M5-equipped devices potentially launching by the end of next year or early 2026. Assuming Apple maintains its typical upgrade cycle for its custom silicon, here are the devices we're expecting to benefit first: References to what are believed to be Apple's M5 chip have already been discovered in official Apple code. According to one report, thanks to its dual-use SoIC design, Apple also plans to deploy the M5 chip within its AI server infrastructure to bolster AI capabilities across both consumer devices and cloud services. Today's report reinforces Apple's continued reliance on TSMC as its exclusive chip manufacturing partner. The Taiwanese foundry has been crucial to Apple's successful transition away from Intel processors beginning in 2020, with the company unable to produce its custom chips without TSMC's advanced manufacturing capabilities.