M5 MacBook Models to Use New Compact Camera Module in 2025

Apple in 2025 will take on a new compact camera module (CCM) supplier for future MacBook models powered by its next-generation M5 chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

New MacBook Pros Launching Tomorrow With These 4 New Features 2
Writing in his latest investor note on Medium, Kuo said Apple will turn to Sunny Optical for the CCM in its M5 MacBooks. The Chinese optical lens company will mass produce the CCMs in Vietnam, and provide a complete imaging system integrated into a compact form factor for the new laptops.

The primary suppliers of camera modules for MacBooks are currently LG InnoTek and Sharp. In Apple's optical component supply chain, only Sunny Optical can simultaneously supply CCM and lenses in a single package, which gives the company the advantage of vertical integration. If shipments for the MacBooks go smoothly, Kuo predicts that Sunny Optical could also become the new CCM supplier for future iPhone and iPad models.

Apple plans to update the 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 chip as soon as late 2024, and we could perhaps see a refresh before the end of the year. The high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are also expected to see a late 2024 refresh with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.

Apple is working on a thinner version of the MacBook Pro, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The ultrathin 2024 iPad Pro serves as a model for Apple's upcoming design philosophy, with the company planning to offer "the thinnest and lightest products" in each category across the tech industry.

It's not clear when a thinner MacBook Pro might come out, since no design changes are rumored for the 2024 refresh, but it's possible that 2025 could be the year that Apple debuts redesigned laptops based on its M5 chip. Apple is also rumored to be working on Face ID for the Mac, and it's likely that the MacBook Pro will be one of the first Macs to get Face ID, but there are no concrete details about when that might happen.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iOS 18

Here Are Apple's Full Release Notes for iOS 18.2

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:48 am PST by
Apple seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.2 today, which means it's going to see a public launch imminently. Release candidates represent the final version of new software that will be provided to the public should no last minute bugs be found, and Apple includes release notes with the RC launch. The iOS 18.2 release notes provide a look at all of the new features that are coming...
Apple AI Command Center Concept Mock 3

Apple Expected to Launch This All-New Device Next Year

Wednesday November 27, 2024 1:05 pm PST by
Apple is expected to kick off 2025 by launching an all-new smart home hub, also referred to as a "command center," as early as March. The hub is expected to feature around a six-inch display that can be attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, or mounted on a wall. The device is said to run a new "homeOS" operating system with a customizable widget-focused home screen, and it is expected...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Expected Next Year: Here's What We Know

Thursday November 28, 2024 3:30 am PST by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch sometime in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as...
New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18

20 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.2

Friday December 6, 2024 4:42 am PST by
Apple is set to release iOS 18.2 in the second week of December, bringing the second round of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update brings several major advancements to Apple's AI integration, including completely new image generation tools and a range of Visual Intelligence-based enhancements. There are a handful of new non-AI related feature controls...
iPhone 14 Pro Display Two Times Brighter Feature

Every Display Upgrade Rumored for Apple's iPhone 17

Friday December 6, 2024 5:14 am PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 lineup may bring some of the most significant display improvements we've seen in recent years. While the iPhone 17 series isn't expected until late 2025, multiple rumors suggest Apple is working on substantial screen upgrades across its entire smartphone range. From enhanced refresh rates to advanced materials and improved power efficiency, these display...
Tim Cook WWDC 2024

Apple CEO Tim Cook Opens Up About AI Plans, Vision Pro Future, and More in New Interview

Wednesday December 4, 2024 5:40 am PST by
WIRED today shared in an in-depth interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook, asking questions about AI, Vision Pro sales, pre-recorded keynotes, and more. The wide-ranging interview covers Apple's pivot toward AI technology, including what Apple Intelligence features Cook finds most useful, Apple's partnership with OpenAI, and the environmental impact of AI. For example, WIRED asked Cook about...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Versions of iOS 18.2 and More With Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration

Thursday December 5, 2024 10:03 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, two weeks after releasing the fourth betas. Alongside the release candidate versions of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating system updates, Apple has also seeded the watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and HomePod Software 18.2 RCs....

Top Rated Comments

iMean Avatar
21 weeks ago

What's the benefit of this change?
They are on a mission to make the devices so thin that they will have a zero or even negative thickness. Just imagine how cool it will be to have an invisible and untouchable and therefore unstealable device.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
startergo Avatar
21 weeks ago

Most people want thinner portable devices. Including me.
What most people like to see is cooler laptops without CPU throttling (opposite to thinner) and long battery life.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SpotOnT Avatar
20 weeks ago

Most people want thinner portable devices. Including me.
Yes, some people do. The device for them is called the MacBook Air.

Others are looking for a portable “pro solution”. Which means power, active cooling, ergonomic keyboard, versatile ports, all with a maximum battery life. The device for them is called the MacBook Pro.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MadDawg2020 Avatar
20 weeks ago

Most people want thinner portable devices. Including me.
Not me - as a professional who relies on these products for paying work, I would gladly accept a product slightly thicker computer with a faster un-throttled performance, more expandability and a true all day battery!

A paper thin computer is useless to me if you have to sacrifice battery life, and deal with performance hits when under all day use.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
20 weeks ago
It's a shame there's not a modularity to ordering Apple computers. Even just a couple of options.

For me personally, i'd be happy to have no camera on my MacBooks, i've never used one. On the very very rare occasion I do need to do a business meeting over Zoom or Teams or whatever i've got other devices that can do it anyway. The notch doesn't bother me at all, but I could easily just not have one.

I'd also like an option of the MacBook Pros to go back to 4x USB-C ports, I have no use for a HDMI port and it pains me that we've lost a Thunderbolt 4 port that can do anything for a HDMI port that can do one thing that'll never use. That could have been a configurable option.

I know it's not very "Steve Jobs" but we're well into Tim Cooks leadership now so mixing up options wouldn't be a bad thing.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lyrics23 Avatar
21 weeks ago
I really hope this thin and light MacBook is a modern take on the 12” MacBook. Wonderful design let down by the technology of the time.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)