Following its major iPhone event, Apple is reportedly preparing for another significant product launch before the end of the year. New regulatory filings and corroborating leaks strongly suggest that an updated iPad Pro with the next-generation M5 chip and new MacBook Pro models are imminent. These developments, spotted in documentation from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), point to a late-year refresh for Apple’s professional-tier devices, continuing the company’s pattern of updating its iPad and Mac lines after its annual iPhone unveiling.
Evidence from Regulatory Filings and Leaked Information
The key evidence comes from a series of model numbers—A3357 through A3362 and A3434—published on the FCC website. Industry analysts from publications like 9to5Mac and MacRumors have linked these identifiers to upcoming Apple hardware. The model numbers A3357 to A3362 are believed to correspond to new iPad Pro models in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, with Wi-Fi and Cellular variants. The A3434 model number is strongly associated with a new MacBook Pro. This regulatory step is a standard but crucial prerequisite for a product’s public release in the United States, indicating that a launch is likely only weeks away.
The M5 iPad Pro: Performance and Context
The new iPad Pro is expected to be the centerpiece of this launch, featuring the powerful M5 chip. This rumor was bolstered by a recent unboxing video that claimed to show the device, showcasing significant performance gains over the current M4 model. If Apple follows its typical schedule, this would be the first update to the iPad Pro since May 2024. The introduction of the M5 chip would further solidify the iPad Pro’s position as a top-tier mobile computing device, offering performance that rivals professional laptops and enhances its capabilities for creative workflows, video editing, and advanced applications.
The Broader Product Ecosystem Update
Alongside the iPad Pro, the launch of new MacBook Pro laptops with the M5 chip is highly anticipated. A report from Bloomberg has stated that Apple is nearing mass production of these machines, aligning perfectly with the FCC filings. This would represent the next step in Apple’s transition to its proprietary silicon, bringing performance and efficiency improvements to its flagship laptops. While a new “Head Mounted Device” with model number A3416 was also listed, potentially indicating a successor to the Vision Pro, reports confirm that a more affordable Apple Vision Air model has been canceled, making the professional headsets the sole focus for now.
The convergence of regulatory filings, credible media reports, and visual leaks creates a compelling case for an upcoming Apple launch event focused on professional hardware. The debut of the M5 chip in both the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro would represent a substantial performance upgrade for users at the high end of the creative and professional markets. While the company’s exact timeline remains unconfirmed, all signs point to Apple unveiling these powerful new devices in the very near future, ensuring that its pro-level ecosystem remains at the cutting edge of technology.
