Apple is preparing a new vapor chamber cooling system for an upcoming iPad Pro, targeting a launch as early as 2027. This change is part of a plan to boost device performance and clearly separate its premium tablets from the iPad Air, Bloomberg News reported Sunday.
The vapor chamber, already included in this year’s iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, helps manage heat without needing a fan. This lets the iPad sustain high performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and AI processing. Apple’s current M5 iPad Pro is already close to desktop-level power, so better cooling is the logical next step.
The cooling technology could launch with the M6 processor, which is expected to use Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s new 2-nanometer process for better efficiency, Bloomberg News reported, citing people close to the matter. Apple’s timeline suggests the upgrade might happen in spring 2027, which fits its usual 18-month release schedule.
The cooling system will also serve a marketing purpose, further establishing the iPad Pro as the top-tier device, especially as the Air moves closer to high-end specs with a 13-inch screen and M4 chip expected next year.
Apple Maps Ads Are Coming in 2026
Apple is getting ready to introduce advertising within its Maps app next year. This feature would let businesses like restaurants pay for better placement in search results. The system will look similar to App Store Search Ads but will have a new look and use AI-driven personalization, according to people briefed on the project.
This expands Apple’s advertising goals, which already include ads in Apple News and the App Store. The move, however, risks user unhappiness from those who criticize the company for pushing ads and services on premium devices that can cost up to $2,000.
Foldable iPad Project Faces Delays
Apple’s long-rumored 18-inch foldable iPad has run into technical and cost problems, pushing its potential release back until at least 2029, Bloomberg News reported. Engineers have struggled with the device’s overall weight and the complexity of the folding OLED display. Debates continue inside the company over whether a product costing over $3,000 can find a sustainable market.
The company is said to be analyzing similar products from competitors, such as Huawei’s recent 18-inch foldable laptop-tablet hybrid launched in China. Still, the foldable iPad’s future remains unclear. It joins a group of ambitious projects Apple has shelved or completely rethought, including its self-driving car and the low-cost Vision headset.
