Apple M5 MacBook Pro to Debut Before Pro and Max Models
▼ Summary
– Apple will first release a base MacBook Pro with a standard M5 chip before models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in early 2026.
– The base M5 MacBook Pro is nearing release and has been tested with an unreleased macOS version.
– This split launch strategy mirrors past releases where base and higher-end models were updated separately before a brief period of simultaneous updates.
– The M5 chip offers up to 12% faster multi-core CPU and 36% faster graphics performance than the M4 chip.
– More significant upgrades like OLED displays and touchscreens are expected in future MacBook Pro models with M6 chips.
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a standard M5 chip MacBook Pro ahead of its more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max counterparts, according to sources familiar with ongoing development and testing. This strategy marks a return to Apple’s earlier pattern of staggering releases for its professional laptop lineup.
Insiders indicate that the base M5 MacBook Pro is nearing its release date and has been undergoing evaluation using an unreleased version of macOS 26.0.2. Following this initial launch, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models equipped with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are anticipated to arrive in early 2026, likely shipping with macOS 26.3 preinstalled. That particular macOS version is expected to complete beta testing and see a public release around January.
This phased approach is not without precedent. Back in November 2020, Apple introduced a 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip, but customers had to wait until October 2021 for the 14-inch and 16-inch models featuring M1 Pro and M1 Max processors. A similar pattern occurred with the M2 generation, where the 13-inch model launched in June 2022, and the Pro and Max variants followed in January 2023.
However, this staggered release cadence was briefly interrupted. When Apple discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro, it shifted to a unified launch for the M3 and M4 generations. In October 2023, the entire 14-inch and 16-inch lineup was refreshed simultaneously with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips. The same simultaneous release strategy was repeated for the M4 family in October 2024.
Recent regulatory filings with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission lend further credibility to the idea of a split launch. Documents surfaced last month for just a single, unreleased MacBook Pro model, hinting that a base 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip could be imminent, with the higher-performance models to follow in the new year.
This potential two-part rollout helps clarify the conflicting rumors that have circulated, pointing to both late 2025 and early 2026 timeframes. It now appears both sets of rumors were partially correct, referring to different stages of the product launch.
The M5 chip is also expected to debut in other Apple devices this year, including the iPad Pro and the Vision Pro. It remains uncertain whether the company will host a traditional October event or opt for a lower-key announcement via press releases and online videos.
An early unboxing video for the next-generation iPad Pro has already provided a glimpse into the M5’s performance, suggesting it will deliver up to a 12% increase in multi-core CPU performance and a substantial 36% boost in graphics performance compared to the current M4 chip. The M5 is reported to retain a 9-core CPU configuration and is being fabricated using TSMC’s advanced third-generation 3nm process.
Looking further ahead, more significant upgrades for the MacBook Pro are anticipated with the M6 generation. Rumored enhancements include a shift to OLED display technology, the introduction of touchscreen capabilities, a thinner chassis design, integrated cellular connectivity, and a move to TSMC’s 2nm manufacturing process for even greater performance improvements.
Updates for the MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Studio are not expected until next year. The report did not provide any information regarding a potential refresh for the Mac Pro desktop.
(Source: Mac Rumors)
