Apple may bring this iPhone 17 Pro feature to upcoming iPad Pro models

Apple is developing a vapor chamber cooling system for the iPad Pro, potentially launching as early as 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter. The liquid cooling technology, already featured in the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, would help the iPad Pro handle increasingly demanding tasks without overheating.

As the tablet takes on more intensive workloads like video editing, gaming, and artificial intelligence applications, the vapor chamber would reduce thermal throttling and maintain peak performance levels.Gurman reports that Apple is targeting the next major iPad Pro refresh cycle for the new cooling system. Following the company's typical 18-month update schedule, the vapor chamber-equipped model would likely debut in spring 2027 alongside the M6 chip.

M6 Chip and enhanced performance

The upcoming M6 chip will reportedly use Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s 2-nanometer production process, delivering improved efficiency and processing power. This combination of advanced silicon and superior cooling could position the iPad Pro as a legitimate desktop replacement for professional workflows.While Apple isn't pioneering vapor chamber technology—Samsung and other manufacturers have used it in devices for years—the company is expected to heavily market the feature as a premium selling point.

The addition would create clearer differentiation between the iPad Air and iPad Pro lines, potentially justifying the higher price point for Pro models.According to the Bloomberg report, if the implementation proves successful, Apple may eventually bring vapor chamber cooling to other passively cooled devices, including the MacBook Air. The 2024 iPad Pro already features improved thermal management with a copper Apple logo designed for better heat dissipation, but the vapor chamber represents a more substantial upgrade.The current iPad Pro, released this year with the M5 chip, already delivers performance comparable to previous-generation Mac Studio models, making enhanced cooling increasingly necessary as processing demands continue growing.