Bloomberg: iPad Pro OLED models may get M4 SoC with a focus on AI

Apple may equip its upcoming iPad Pros with a new M4 socket. Insiders report this to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. Apple is expected to announce the new tablets at an event on May 7.

There is a “strong possibility” that Apple will debut the M4 chip in the upcoming iPad Pros, insiders tell Gurman. The biggest change of this SoC would be an improved neural engine. The chip should pave the way for the new generative AI functions that Apple says it will announce this year.

In this way, Apple could explain its AI chip strategy in May 'without distractions', the journalist writes. During the WWDC developer fair in June, the tech giant would then focus on the associated AI software in iPadOS 18, among others. According to Gurman, Apple is holding discussions with various companies to integrate their online AI chatbots, including OpenAI and Google. The tech giant is also working on its own AI models for functions that run locally on the device.

Bloomberg previously shared details about the arrival of an M4 chip. Gurman recently wrote that this chip will be used in new MacBook Pros, iMacs and Mac Minis, new versions of which will be available later this year. The alleged debut of the M4 in an iPad Pro would be striking. Apple previously always introduced its new M chips in a Mac device and only later brought those chips to new iPads. The current M3 chip is also only six months old.

There have been rumors going around for years about the arrival of a new iPad Pro. In addition to an alleged M4 SoC, Apple would also provide it with an OLED screen for the first time. Gurman previously called the upcoming tablet 'the biggest iPad Pro redesign' since 2018.

Apple is expected to announce the new iPad Pro on May 7. The manufacturer recently announced an event on that date. The accompanying invitation contained an image that included an Apple Pencil stylus, which only works on Apple's iPads. According to Gurman, the Apple Pencil will also receive an upgrade next month, in the form of haptic feedback.

The current iPad Pro from 2022, with an M2 SoC and mini LED screen. Source: Apple