iPad Pro M6 may bring improved thermals, thanks to dedicated vapour chamber

Earlier this month, Apple unveiled the all-new iPad Pro powered by the M5 chip. While the next-generation iPad Pro is expected to launch in 2027, the rumour mill has already started leaking its details. A newsletter by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed a key feature that will be seen on the 9th-generation iPad Pro.

Next iPad Pro’s chipset, heat dissipation details emerge

Apple is packing increasingly powerful processors inside its iPad Pro models. For instance, the M5 chip on the iPad Pro delivers unmatched processing and graphics power, with a significant leap in on-device AI performance for professional workflows like 3D rendering and video editing.

The iPad Pro, expected to arrive with the next-generation M6 chip built on a 2nm manufacturing process, could be even more powerful than the M5-powered tablet. The inclusion of a more capable chip could prompt Apple to integrate a vapour chamber cooling unit.

The addition of a vapour chamber cooling system for the anticipated 2nm M6 chip on the iPad Pro would mark a significant step forward in sustaining peak performance for longer durations. It would enhance thermal management during demanding professional tasks such as 3D rendering and high-resolution video editing, effectively minimising thermal throttling that currently limits the chip’s potential within its slim chassis.

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However, this won’t be the first time Apple has introduced a cooling system in the iPad Pro series. Last year, the M4 iPad Pro featured a copper heatsink to dissipate heat through the Apple logo on the back, combined with graphite layers to spread the heat evenly. The same cooling setup is available on the M5 iPad Pro, but the upcoming M6 model is expected to offer superior heat dissipation through an advanced vapour chamber system.

The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, which debuted in September this year, were the first iPhones to feature an Apple-designed vapour chamber cooling mechanism. Now that the M6 iPad Pro is also expected to adopt a VC unit, it is likely that future MacBook models may inherit similar technology.

M6 iPad Pro launch timeframe (rumoured)

According to Gurman, the M6 iPad Pro is expected to debut by spring 2027, as the iPad Pro series generally follows an 18-month upgrade cycle.

Keep reading Unboxed by Croma for the latest updates from the world of Apple.