Apple is reportedly working on a refreshed iPad Pro model for 2026, and if recent analyst chatter holds true, it could come with some notable upgrades. Chief among them: a next-generation M5 chip and, perhaps more intriguingly, a dual front-facing camera setup, something we’ve never seen on an iPad before.
Now, assuming this pans out, it looks like Apple is intent on pushing the iPad Pro even further into “pro” territory. This would build on the 2024 model’s momentum, which debuted with the M4 chip and an eye-catching new display.
Key Takeaways
- Expected Release: The M5 iPad Pro is reportedly planned for 2026.
- New Processor: It would be powered by Apple’s upcoming M5 silicon.
- Camera Upgrade: The model may feature two front-facing cameras—a first.
- Likely Purpose: The dual setup is thought to support spatial video capture for Apple Vision Pro.
If Apple follows its usual silicon roadmap, the M5 should bring substantial performance leaps, both in raw speed and energy efficiency. The M4 already gave us a major bump in AI processing, thanks to its revamped Neural Engine. The M5, naturally, is expected to take that further making it even more capable for tasks like 4K editing, heavy design workflows, or just juggling multiple pro apps without breaking a sweat.
The camera detail is what really stands out here. While the 2024 iPad Pro introduced a landscape-aligned front camera—which felt long overdue for video calls, this rumored dual-camera setup is something else entirely. If it’s truly being designed for spatial photo and video capture, that opens the door to creating 3D content straight from an iPad. And that content, not coincidentally, would fit right into Apple’s growing spatial computing ecosystem, especially with the Apple Vision Pro in mind.
This upcoming iPad would be the successor to what is currently Apple’s thinnest iPad Pro yet, featuring the Ultra Retina XDR display, a tandem OLED panel that brings higher brightness levels and deeper contrast. The new report doesn’t get into details on other possible design changes, but knowing Apple, it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw refinements to screen sizes or maybe even a tweak in materials.
Still, we should take all of this with the usual pinch of caution. These details stem from industry analysis, not official Apple announcements. Nothing’s confirmed until Apple says it is. If the company’s pattern holds, we won’t hear much officially until sometime in 2026. What does seem likely, though, is that pricing will stay right where it is, in the premium bracket, consistent with the iPad Pro’s position in the lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When will the M5 iPad Pro be released?
A1: Current analyst reports point to a potential release for the M5 iPad Pro sometime in 2026.
Q2: What is the biggest new feature reported for the 2026 iPad Pro?
A2: Besides the M5 processor, the most discussed new feature is a dual front-facing camera system.
Q3: Why would an iPad Pro have two front cameras?
A3: The primary speculated reason for two front cameras is to allow the device to capture spatial (3D) video and photos, which can be viewed on the Apple Vision Pro headset.
Q4: How much better will the M5 chip be than the M4?
A4: Specific performance metrics for the M5 are not yet known. However, based on Apple’s history, the M5 chip is expected to offer significant gains in processing speed, graphics performance, and AI capabilities over the M4.
Q5: Will the new iPad Pro cost more?
A5: Apple has not released any pricing information. However, the iPad Pro is a premium product, and its price will likely reflect its advanced features, staying in a similar or potentially higher range than current models.
