iPad Pro at 10: Could the M5 iPad Pro Debut with the iPhone 17?

Apple’s upcoming September 9 “Awe Dropping” showcase is shaping up to be more than just another iPhone reveal. While headlines naturally gravitate toward the arrival of the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods Pro 3, and the Apple Watch Series 11, an unexpected twist could steal the spotlight: the long-rumored M5-powered iPad Pro.

If true, it would mark both a technical milestone and a symbolic anniversary, as the iPad Pro turns 10 years old on the exact same day.

Rumors gained credibility after a well-known but anonymous leaker on X (formerly Twitter) shared model numbers suggesting two new iPad Pro variants in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, available in Wi-Fi and cellular configurations. While speculation about an M5 iPad Pro has been circulating for months, analysts initially predicted a later launch, potentially tied to Apple’s next MacBook Pro rollout. Apple historically reserves the spring for iPad announcements, but 2024 broke tradition. With no spring refresh and MacBook Pro models now pushed to early next year, September has unexpectedly become the most logical launch window for the iPad Pro refresh.

Aligning the M5 iPad Pro launch with the iPhone 17 event could also make strategic sense. Apple knows the iPhone draws global attention, and leveraging that spotlight to introduce the next-generation iPad Pro could give the M5 chip immediate momentum. The timing would not just be convenient – it would be symbolic. On September 9, 2015, Apple unveiled the original iPad Pro. Announcing its most advanced successor on the product’s tenth birthday would be a calculated move, tapping into nostalgia while showcasing innovation.

The prospect of a redesigned iPad Pro built around the new M5 chip is exciting for more than just raw power. Apple is also preparing to debut iOS 26, a software release billed as the most productivity-focused iPadOS to date. The combination of improved multitasking, better external display handling, and more desktop-like experiences could finally allow Apple’s high-end tablet to bridge the gap between iPads and laptops. For years, critics have argued that iPads were held back not by hardware but by software. The M5, paired with the new operating system, may at last deliver the balance of power and practicality professionals have been waiting for.

Still, expectations should be tempered. Apple is notorious for secrecy, and the company might decide to hold the iPad Pro announcement back or release it through a quiet press statement after the iPhone frenzy subsides. Yet the evidence feels stronger than usual this time, and the symbolism of the iPad Pro’s decade milestone is hard to ignore.

If the M5 iPad Pro does arrive alongside the iPhone 17, it won’t just be another spec bump – it could represent a shift in how Apple positions its tablet in the broader computing ecosystem. Whether users see it as a laptop replacement or an advanced creative tool, this generation may finally push the iPad Pro into the role Apple has long envisioned. For now, the countdown to September 9 is more intriguing than ever.