iOS 14.5 Beta 5 References Unreleased 'A14X' Chip Rumored for iPad Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple is rumored to have a new iPad Pro in the works that will feature an upgraded "A14X" chip, and signs of that upcoming chip have been found in the fifth iOS 14.5 beta that was released this morning.

According to 9to5Mac, the beta mentions a GPU from a chip referred to as "13G," which does not correspond to the chips used by currently available iOS devices.

Previous naming schemes found in iOS suggest the 13G reference is the A14X, a variant of the A14 Bionic chip used in iOS devices. MacRumors contributor Steve Moser found direct mentions of the A14X GPU in the beta as well, and there are new code names that are likely for the unreleased iPads: J517, J518, J522, and J523.

9to5Mac says that the A14X is based on the T8103, the code name for the M1 chip used in the Apple silicon Macs. Bloomberg earlier this month said that the A14X chip would be "on par" with the M1 in terms of speed.

Apple is expected to release new iPad Pro models as soon as April. Rumors suggest the updated tablets could feature Thunderbolt connectivity, improved camera technology, fewer speaker holes, and a mini-LED display for the 12.9-inch model.

Article Link: iOS 14.5 Beta 5 References Unreleased 'A14X' Chip Rumored for iPad Pro

 

[branca]

The iPad is a great machine. It is incredibly powerfu, but I would like to do more with this desktop power! Connectivity, OS (File manager) could be easily better.

 

[Wando64]

Time for a dual OS iPad?
iPadOS when used as a tablet.
MacOS when docked.

It is certainly powerful enough to handle it.

 

[acorntoy]

Just please make the screen better after 4 years.

 

[TheDailyApple]

My wallet is ready, just release it!

 

[1258186]

My patience is running out. Just release the damn thing.

 

[reallynotnick]

Time for a dual OS iPad?
iPadOS when used as a tablet.
MacOS when docked.

It is certainly powerful enough to handle it.

I do wonder if the merging will happen. Part of me thinks it would be awesome, but I'd be curious how they'd manage everything. Like will they create hybrid apps that UI changes, or do I have to download the app twice, or am I just relegated to running iOS apps in macOS.

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

It better runs MacOS, pro swipes doesn't fly anymore

 

[subjonas]

My patience is running out. Just release the damn thing.

I’m curious, what happens when it completely runs out? 😆

 

[obargy]

Does fewer speaker holes mean the possibility of being water-resistant? 🤔

A nice feature to have on iPad in case you accidentally splash coffee on it or drop it in the bathtub.

 

[websurfer83]

Time for a dual OS iPad?
iPadOS when used as a tablet.
MacOS when docked.

It is certainly powerful enough to handle it.

That would be my dream for the iPad Pro.

 

[Bearygoodfries1]

Time for a dual OS iPad?
iPadOS when used as a tablet.
MacOS when docked.

It is certainly powerful enough to handle it.

I would LOVE this.

It doesn’t even have to handle intensive apps when in MacOS mode.

Just allowing me to use some of the apps I can’t use on iOS is enough.

 

[AlexESP]

Each of us can have different opinions on whether it’s good or bad, but I think the possibility of macOS in the iPad is over, more than ever. And anyway, dual boot is obviously not going to happen.

 

[snow755]

this is all nic buy am waiting for the much needed upgraded apple TV with A14 or A12 chip

I have iPhone 12 pro max A14 iPads air 4 A14 MacBook Pro M1 Mac mini M1 the only thing I need now is apple TV with A14 chip then I will have every thing in this house A14 and M1

 

[Spock]

I think that iPadOS still has some ways to go before it can really make an iPad a "Pro" machine. Sometimes when I try to use my iPad for the work that I do, I find myself reaching for my MacBook Pro instead. A lot of times, I find myself multitasking by using my iPad and my iPhone 12 at the same time when I do use the iPad. This is just my opinion of course, I know the iPad serves a lot of peoples needs, just not all of mine.

 

[terminator-jq]

These new iPad Pros will be interesting. Especially when you consider the following:

- The 2018 iPad Pro models are still very fast even by todays standards.
- The 2020 iPad Pro models are basically just the 2018 with an extra GPU core and better camera.
- The 2020 iPad Air... gets awfully close to the 11" iPad Pro
- Current rumors point to Mini-LED being exclusive to the 12.9"

With all of that in mind, its going to take a whole lot more than better specs to get people to upgrade... M1 style speed is good and fine for geek bench scores and bragging rights of "my iPad is faster than your desktop" but in the real world does it really matter? Over the years Apple has added some great iPad exclusive features to iOS but lets be honest here... for the most part the iPad is still very much a large screen iPhone.

Personally I'm really hoping to see Apple bring more than just power to the iPad Pro. Lets get some "Pro" level applications like Logic and Final Cut. The iPad needs to be further differentiated from the iPhone and the iPad Pro needs to be clearly different than the base iPad and iPad Air.

 

[Lemon Olive]

Each of us can have different opinions on whether it’s good or bad, but I think the possibility of macOS in the iPad is over, more than ever. And anyway, dual boot is obviously not going to happen.

Never going to happen, and not needed in the least.

If you need a Mac, buy one. Stop trying to turn the iPad into a Mac. It isn't even close. It is its own thing.

 

[Lemon Olive]

this is all nic buy am waiting for the much needed upgraded apple TV with A14 or A12 chip

LOLOL. Much needed? What pray tell is much needed? It doesn't need anything.

 

[AlexESP]

Time for a dual OS iPad?
iPadOS when used as a tablet.
MacOS when docked.

It is certainly powerful enough to handle it.

Yes, it’s never been (mainly) a problem of power, the iPhone could probably too. It’s a problem of concept. A tablet isn’t a computer, besides what Apple may say, so it doesn’t run a desktop OS.

 

[jefhai]

I hope we can duel boot iOS and macOS on iPad Pro!

Please make my dream come true Apple

 

[snow755]

LOLOL. Much needed? What pray tell is much needed? It doesn't need anything.

yes it dos it has the old A10X chip that came out in 2017 time for a upgrade lol

 

[SactoGuy18]

I wonder what will be the difference between the A14X SoC and the M1 SoC. Maybe the memory management on the A14X is a bit simpler?

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

It’s pretty much like the A12Z Chip.

 

[jefhai]

Yes, it’s never been (mainly) a problem of power, the iPhone could probably too. It’s a problem of concept. A tablet isn’t a computer, besides what Apple may say, so it doesn’t run a desktop OS.

While I agree. Keyboard and mouse support exists on iPad. Allow pros to duel boot to develop apps on vacation.

Let iPad be my only daily driver and I will truly be free with my remote job.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I do wonder if the merging will happen. Part of me thinks it would be awesome, but I'd be curious how they'd manage everything. Like will they create hybrid apps that UI changes, or do I have to download the app twice, or am I just relegated to running iOS apps in macOS.

I don’t think they will merge. The vast majority of folks buying computing devices today are buying non-macOS systems, whether it’s iOS/iPadOS, Windows, Chromebooks or “Other”. Of all those groups, the only one that NEEDS to run macOS apps is macOS users. I think it’s far more likely that Apple will make it easier and easier for developers to port to the iPad.

Any “dead” apps may continue to run just fine on the Mac that folks are currently using to run those “dead” apps on. As those apps are not guaranteed to run on a future Mac, it would probably be best to find alternate solutions.