An A14X chip appears to be destined for the 2021 iPad Pro
What you need to know
- Code within the latest iOS 14.5 beta points to a new A14X processor.
- The new chip will likely come in the new iPad Pros that are expected in the first half of 2021.
While some have dreamed of Apple's M1 chip coming to the iPad, it appears that we may be destined for an A14X chip in the 2021 iPad Pro.
As reported by 9to5Mac, code within the fifth version of the iOS 14.5 beta references a new "A14X" processor by comparing a new GPU chip name to earlier chip names.
While the A14X is not the M1 chip that was launched in the new MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini, it appears to be based on the first Apple silicon processor.
According to the outlet, the codenames for the new iPads are J517, J518, J522, and J523.
If you aren't planning on holding out for the new iPad Pro and trying to figure out what iPad is right for you now, check out our list of the Best iPad of 2021.
With this new information, everything is pointing to a new version of the iPad Pro being announced very soon. According to the rumor mill, Apple is preparing to host a virtual, pre-recorded event in April to announce the new iPads as well as its long-rumored AirTags.
Pros for pros
Faster, better camera, and now with lasers.
After the 2018 iPad Pro revolution, Apple is back to the more standard evolution in 2020: An additional graphics core, ultra-wide camera, LiDAR scanner, iOS 13.4 trackpad support, and a new Magic Keyboard (coming in May).
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Joe Wituschek is a Contributor at iMore. With over ten years in the technology industry, one of them being at Apple, Joe now covers the company for the website. In addition to covering breaking news, Joe also writes editorials and reviews for a range of products. He fell in love with Apple products when he got an iPod nano for Christmas almost twenty years ago. Despite being considered a "heavy" user, he has always preferred the consumer-focused products like the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPhone 13 mini. He will fight to the death to keep a mini iPhone in the lineup. In his free time, Joe enjoys video games, movies, photography, running, and basically everything outdoors.