iPadOS 26 and the M5 iPad Pro: Apple’s Most Significant Desktop Convergence Yet
Reviewing iPadOS 26 and Dreaming about the Upcoming M5 iPad Pro Hardware
With the release of iPadOS 26 on September 15, 2025, Apple has delivered what many are calling the most transformative update to iPad software in its history. The revolutionary Liquid Glass design and powerful windowing system represent a fundamental shift in how we interact with tablets. Combined with anticipated M5 iPad Pro hardware launching as early as October, we’re witnessing a pivotal moment where Apple’s software ambitions are finally catching up to—and preparing for—its exceptional hardware capabilities.
The iPadOS 26 Revolution: More Than Just a Pretty Face
The new Liquid Glass design isn’t merely cosmetic—it fundamentally reimagines the iPad experience. This translucent, dynamic interface reflects and refracts its surroundings while maintaining focus on content, bringing visual consistency across Apple’s entire ecosystem. But the real game-changer lies beneath the surface.
For the first time, iPadOS features a Mac-style windowing system that allows users to freely position and resize windows, complete with familiar traffic light controls. The new Exposé feature lets you swipe up to see all open windows spread out, while background tasks finally allow resource-intensive operations like video rendering to continue while you work in other apps. The addition of a Mac-style menu bar accessible with a swipe down from the top brings desktop-level functionality to every app.
The supercharged Files app now offers resizable columns, collapsible folders, and the ability to customize folders with colors and emoji. The new Preview app provides dedicated PDF editing capabilities with Apple Pencil Markup and AutoFill built in. Perhaps most significantly, Stage Manager is now available on all iPadOS 26-compatible devices, not just Pro models, democratizing advanced multitasking across the iPad lineup.
The M5 iPad Pro: Where Hardware Meets Ambition
While Apple typically saves major processor announcements for Macs, the M5 chip is expected to debut in the iPad Pro this fall, potentially arriving at an October event. This timing would mark exactly ten years since the original iPad Pro announcement on September 9, 2015.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that M5 iPad Pro models have entered mass production for a second-half 2025 release. The new models are expected to feature:
Dual front-facing cameras: One positioned for landscape use, another for portrait orientation, solving a long-standing complaint about video call positioning
Larger displays: 11.5-inch and 13.5-inch models replacing the current 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions
Enhanced performance: The M5 chip with up to 12 GPU cores and improved Neural Engine for AI tasks
Increased base storage: Starting at 512GB, up from the current 256GB minimum
The AI Revolution Demands More Power
Apple’s struggles with Apple Intelligence have been well-documented, but the company is clearly preparing for a more AI-centric future. The expanded Apple Intelligence features in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 include Live Translation, visual intelligence, and enhanced Siri capabilities—all requiring significant processing power and memory.
RAM: The Unsung Hero
Currently, Apple Intelligence requires devices with at least 8GB of RAM, explaining why only iPhone 15 Pro models and iPads with M-series chips support these features. While storage requirements have stabilized at 7GB, the complexity of on-device AI models suggests future iterations will demand more memory.
For the M5 iPad Pro, I anticipate Apple will offer configurations with 16GB as standard, with options extending to 24GB or even 32GB for professionals running multiple AI workloads simultaneously. This isn’t just about raw performance—it’s about enabling workflows that were previously impossible on a tablet.
Why Not Pro Chips for Pro iPads?
The absence of M-series Pro chips in iPad Pro models remains puzzling. MacBook Pros, Mac Studios, and Mac minis all offer Pro and Max variants, delivering significant performance gains for creative professionals. Given that the iPad Pro now matches or exceeds entry-level MacBook Pro pricing, offering M5 Pro or M5 Max options would provide clear differentiation and justify the premium positioning.
This would be particularly beneficial for users running professional applications like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, or DaVinci Resolve on iPad, where the additional GPU cores and memory bandwidth would translate directly to improved rendering times and smoother real-time effects processing.
The Battery Life Conundrum
Despite impressive engineering that made the M4 iPad Pro the thinnest Apple device ever, battery life remains a challenge. Testing shows the M4 iPad Pro achieves 13-15 hours in optimal conditions, exceeding Apple’s quoted 10-hour estimate. However, real-world usage with demanding applications often falls short of this benchmark.
The irony is palpable: Apple has demonstrated exceptional battery optimization in the iPhone lineup, with the iPhone 16 Plus reportedly achieving over 20 hours of screen time. If Apple can deliver such endurance in a phone, surely doubling or tripling the iPad Pro’s battery life isn’t beyond reach—especially given the larger form factor that could accommodate a bigger battery. Even the new iPhone Air delivers impressive battery performance in relation to how thin it is.
The upcoming M5’s improved efficiency on TSMC’s advanced process node could help, but Apple needs to prioritize endurance over thinness. Professional users would gladly accept a slightly thicker device for genuine all-day battery life.
Critical Features Still Missing
Despite iPadOS 26’s significant improvements, several fundamental limitations persist:
Desktop-class app compatibility: The inability to run full macOS applications remains the iPad’s Achilles heel. While Apple has ported professional apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, the absence of third-party desktop software limits professional adoption.
Browser restrictions: All iPad browsers must use WebKit, Apple’s rendering engine, preventing true Chrome, Firefox, or Edge experiences. The lack of browser extension support further hampers productivity workflows that professionals rely on.
JIT compilation limitations: The prohibition on Just-In-Time compilation prevents proper virtualization and emulation, blocking development tools like full VS Code, Docker, or virtual machines that developers need.
Terminal access: The absence of command-line access prevents system-level customization and blocks entire categories of professional workflows, from web development to data science.
Display resolution control: Unlike macOS, iPadOS offers no control over display scaling or resolution, limiting how users can optimize their workspace for different tasks.
The Path Forward
The convergence of iPadOS 26’s desktop-inspired features and the imminent M5 hardware represents a inflection point for the iPad platform. For the first time, the software narrative is driving hardware expectations rather than playing catch-up.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests we’ll see the M5 iPad Pro alongside other products including updated Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini, and potentially new Vision Pro hardware. This coordinated release strategy positions the iPad Pro as part of Apple’s broader ecosystem push rather than a standalone product.
The rumored pricing suggests the 11-inch M5 model will start around $1,099, with the 13-inch version beginning at $1,399—maintaining current pricing despite the hardware improvements. This positions the iPad Pro firmly in laptop territory, where it must compete not just on capability but on versatility.
iPadOS 26 demonstrates Apple is finally serious about the iPad as a productivity platform. The combination of refined multitasking, desktop-class window management, and enhanced file handling creates a foundation for professional workflows that was previously absent.
When paired with M5 hardware featuring enhanced AI capabilities, increased memory options, and improved efficiency, the iPad Pro could finally fulfill its promise as a laptop replacement for many users. However, success hinges on Apple’s willingness to remove the remaining artificial limitations that separate iPadOS from macOS.
The hardware has always been impressive—now the software is catching up. Whether Apple will take the final steps to unlock the iPad’s full potential remains to be seen, but iPadOS 26 and the M5 iPad Pro suggest we’re closer than ever to a truly convergent computing future.