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Apple unveils new M5 chip powering upgraded MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro

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Apple introduced its latest generation of hardware on Wednesday, rolling out new versions of the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro headset, all powered by the company’s most advanced M5 chip. The updates reinforce Apple’s push to stay ahead of rivals like Qualcomm and Intel, which have recently launched AI-optimized processors.

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M5 chip marks a significant upgrade from last year’s M4 lineup. Built using an advanced 3-nanometer process, the M5 delivers greater speed and energy efficiency, enabling devices to run large language models directly on the device. Despite the leap in performance, pricing remains unchanged — the MacBook Pro starts at $1,599, the iPad Pro at $999, and the second-generation Vision Pro headset at $3,499.

Apple said the new hardware lineup targets creative professionals and developers seeking on-device AI capabilities. The company’s decision to debut the M5 in its high-end products mirrors its strategy from previous years, prioritizing premium models before bringing the chip to other devices.

The Vision Pro, launched in 2023 as Apple’s first major new product in a decade, has received positive reviews for its visual quality but limited adoption. The updated version aims to attract more users with better performance and smoother app integration. Meanwhile, iPad sales are projected to grow about 6% in fiscal 2025 after a multi-year slump, aided by lower-cost models and a recovery in global electronics demand.

China opens antitrust probe into Qualcomm over its Autotalks deal

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China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has launched an antitrust investigation into U.S. semiconductor giant Qualcomm over its acquisition of Israel’s Autotalks. The regulator said it would examine whether Qualcomm violated Chinese competition laws by failing to properly declare details of the transaction.

Following the announcement, Qualcomm shares dropped more than 5%, as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs against China and hinted at cancelling a planned meeting with President Xi Jinping. The probe adds new pressure to both countries’ tech sectors amid an escalating rivalry in artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology.

Qualcomm completed its Autotalks deal in June, integrating the Israeli company’s V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication technology into its Snapdragon car platform. Analysts suggest that Beijing’s move might go beyond a “no-harm” early filing penalty, signaling potential economic leverage on U.S. chip and auto supply chains.

The case follows China’s recent accusations against Nvidia for breaching anti-monopoly rules. With 46% of Qualcomm’s 2024 fiscal revenue coming from Chinese customers, analysts warn the investigation could intensify investor concerns about geopolitical and regulatory risks in the semiconductor industry.

Qualcomm Moves to Arm’s Latest Tech to Boost AI Chips and Rival Apple, MediaTek

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Qualcomm has adopted the newest version of Arm Holdings’ chip architecture for its next generation of flagship processors, aiming to strengthen performance in artificial intelligence (AI) and better compete with Apple and MediaTek, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The decision represents a significant turning point in the relationship between the two companies after last year’s legal clash, which had raised doubts about whether Qualcomm would continue relying on Arm’s technology. The move is also expected to boost Arm’s revenue, as the company charges more for licensing its most advanced technology.

Arm’s shares rose 5% in regular trading after Reuters reported Qualcomm’s shift to its Arm v9 instruction set — the ninth generation of the company’s computing architecture.

AI PERFORMANCE AT THE CORE

Unlike previous generations, Qualcomm’s new PC and smartphone chips will incorporate Arm’s v9 architecture, which includes several enhancements tailored for AI tasks such as chatbots, image generation, and on-device learning.
Competitors MediaTek and Apple already use the v9 standard, which defines the fundamental instructions a processor can execute and determines compatibility with apps and software.

A Qualcomm spokesperson declined to confirm specific technologies but said the company’s internal CPU design team enables flexibility:

“We chose the instructions that make sense for our customers. That’s the beauty of having our own CPU design team — we can pick and choose the instructions that add value,” the company said.

LEGAL RIFTS GIVE WAY TO PRACTICALITY

The decision marks a pragmatic end to a strained chapter in Qualcomm and Arm’s relationship. The two companies had been locked in a licensing dispute after Arm threatened to revoke a key agreement, though it later withdrew the threat.

Despite the tensions, Qualcomm’s choice to stick with Arm’s latest architecture is seen as a vote of confidence in Arm’s long-term ecosystem.
Jay Goldberg, senior analyst at Seaport Research Partners, called the decision “very positive for Arm,” adding:

“These are companies that were fighting each other. Qualcomm could have gone a very different path here.”

ARM STRENGTHENS ITS POSITION

While Arm faces emerging competition from RISC-V, an open-source alternative architecture, analysts note that RISC-V remains decades behind in maturity and lacks a comparable developer community.

Because Qualcomm licenses Arm’s architecture rather than buying complete chip designs, the exact revenue impact for Arm is uncertain. However, the shift underscores Arm’s enduring dominance in mobile and AI chip design.

As AI workloads increasingly drive hardware innovation, Qualcomm’s adoption of Arm’s newest architecture signals that the next wave of chips will focus as much on intelligence and adaptability as on speed and power efficiency.