M5 iPad Pro launch at iPhone 17 event now looks likely — what we know

With Apple's "Awe Dropping" event kicking off today (September 9) to show off all-new products, with the iPhone 17, AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch 11 and plenty more expected to steal the show, we'd expect there wouldn't be time for any other big reveals. But now, there may be room for another surprise: the M5 iPad Pro.

A new leak has provided details on the rumored next-gen iPad Pro that will be powered by an M5 chip, revealing Wi-Fi and Cellular versions in both 11-inch and 13-inch models. As with the M4 iPad Pro, these models are to be expected, but this was coupled with information on the upcoming Apple Watch models.

According to the leak, from an anonymous and reliable tipster on X (via 9to5Mac), the Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 are all set to be announced today. However, with the timing of new details on the expected M5 iPad Pro, too, there's reason to believe Apple may reveal its next tablet.

Of course, it's been heavily rumored that the M5 iPad Pro is expected to launch in October. This would track, as Apple has recently made its iPad announcements fall more in line with Mac releases (as they now share the same M-series chips, and the M5 MacBook Pro is set to be on the way).

However, while the timing of the leaks isn't too convincing, there is one big reason why we may see the M5 iPad Pro be revealed today...

Apple celebrates a big iPad Pro anniversary

There are a few products we don't expect to see at the iPhone 17 event, and the iPad Pro would be one of them. That said, Apple has announced iPhones and iPads on the same stage before, and we may see a brief return to form at the big "Awe Dropping" show.

This is due to September 9 being the 10-year anniversary of the first iPad Pro's announcement. The first-ever iPad Pro was announced on September 9, 2015, and, with this in mind, today's event would make for a fitting celebration to announce the M5 iPad Pro.

Last year's iPad Pro was also the first to reveal Apple's M4 chips, so it makes sense that the next M5 chip would follow suit. Not only this, but with iPadOS 26 expected to launch this September, along with iOS 26, it gives Apple a reason to show off the updated OS's capabilities on an all-new tablet.

Now, it wouldn't be all too surprising to see the M5 iPad Pro make its official debut at the "Awe Dropping" event. That said, it's already looking to be a very stacked showcase, and there may be other wild cards thrown in, including AirTags 2 or even a new Apple Vision Pro color.

In any case, it won't be long until we find out, as Apple's big event kicks off at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. BST / 3 a.m. AEST today (September 9). For all the last-minute updates and announcements as they happen, don't miss a beat in our Apple Event live blog.

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