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Looking forward: Apple’s M5 chip will be available in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro this year. Apple is also working on the M6 & M7 processors. Apple has a roadmap that includes next-generation Macs as well as its first smart glasses and a powerful AI server chip. Bloomberg reported that sources familiar with Apple’s plans said the company is building on recent progress in chip design and aiming to set new performance and efficiency standards across its entire product line. Apple will continue to heavily invest in custom silicon to be a leader in not only device performance, but also AI and wearable tech – two areas in which it has tried to make advancements but has faced a variety of challenges. The company is Apple is developing new chips that will power everything from the next-generation Macs, to smart glasses, to AI servers. The goal is to maintain a tightly integrated hardware and a software ecosystem. Apple’s M6 SoC codenamed “Komodo,” will arrive in 2026. The M7, codenamed “Borneo,” will follow in 2027 if Apple continues its annual release cycle. These chips are said to represent a major leap forward in computing power. They could have configurations up to 256 CPU cores, and 640 GPU Cores in future generations. This is an exponential increase over the current M3 Ultra which has a maximum of 32 CPU cores, and 80 GPU Cores.
Alongside these chips, Apple is reportedly working on an advanced system-on-chip for Macs, codenamed “Sotra.” While details remain scarce, this chip could be destined for high-end desktop models, further diversifying Apple’s silicon offerings and targeting professional users who want top-tier performance.
In a parallel effort, Apple is preparing to enter the still nascent but competitive smart glasses market. The company’s first glasses, powered by a specialized chip called N401, are being designed to rival Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Drawing on the energy-efficient architecture of the Apple Watch, the N401 chip is optimized for low power consumption and is engineered to control multiple cameras integrated into the glasses.
These non-augmented reality glasses will feature cameras, microphones, and on-board AI, enabling users to take photos, record video, translate languages, and receive contextual information about their surroundings.
The features under consideration include object identification, navigation assistance, and environmental scanning. The processor for the glasses is slated for mass production by late 2026 or early 2027. This suggests a product launch in the next two to four years. Apple’s AI ambitions are expanding to include large-scale infrastructure.
The company is working with Broadcom to develop its first AI server chips, codenamed “Baltra,” which will be in mass production by 2026 or 2027. This chip will be used to handle Apple Intelligence in the cloud and replace the current reliance upon Mac-grade processors like the M2 Ultra.
Apple has reportedly been testing Baltra with configurations that have 2, 4, 6, or 8 times the CPU/GPU cores of the current M3 Ultra. This means the chip could boast as many as 256 CPU cores and up to 640 GPU cores. This leap could position Apple to be a major player when it comes to AI infrastructure. It would enable faster and more efficient cloud intelligence for Apple’s devices.
The developments are part a larger strategy within Apple’s Hardware Technology Group, which is also developing chips for AirPods equipped with cameras and Apple Watch models. These products will be launched around 2027.
The silicon roadmap of the company includes upgrades to its own modem technology. The C2 and C3 modes are expected to improve wireless compatibility in future iPhones. Masthead Credit: Basic Apple Guy
