MacBook Pro Models With M5 Chips Might Not Launch Until Next Year

In a research note today, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that MacBook Pro models with M5 chips might not launch until 2026.

Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero
Kuo discussed how the A20 chips in iPhone 18 models will be packaged with WMCM (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module) technology, which integrates the so-called "underfill and molding processes" for more efficient manufacturing and increased yield, a term that refers to the percentage of functional chips that can be obtained per silicon wafer.

Kuo went on to say that high-end M5 chips in 2026 MacBooks — likely referring to the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips — will continue to have separate underfill and molding processes during production. His mention of 2026 is the key part here, as it was previously rumored that MacBook Pro models with M5 chips would launch in late 2025. Last month, however, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was "considering" pushing back the release of the next MacBook Pro models with the M5 series of chips until 2026.

All in all, Kuo's mention of "2026 MacBooks" with high-end M5 chips is the latest clue that the MacBook Pro might not be updated this year after all.

Timing aside, we recommend skipping the MacBook Pro models with the M5 series of chips if you can wait, as the subsequent models with the M6 series of chips are expected to feature more significant changes, including an OLED display, a thinner design, and possibly a smaller notch. However, those models might not launch until early 2027 now.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

ipedro Avatar
6 weeks ago
A March PRO event makes a lot of sense. MacBookPro and Mac Studio with M5 and either an upgrade to the Mac Pro or a new tower design, alongside the unveiling of Apple's Creative Suite: Final Cut Pro updates for Mac and iPad, Logic for coming to iPad and the official welcoming of the newly acquired Pixelmator and Photomator, likely to be rebranded to fit in Apple's family of creative products — Apple Creative Pro and the return of Aperture, respectively.

That's a lot of newness to fit in October when they'll not want to overshadow the brand new iPhone Air and a series of other consumer related news like the possibility of the HomePad announcement, new HomePods and Apple TV released for the holidays.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tyrnnsrs Avatar
6 weeks ago
I was wanting to wait on upgrading my M1Pro til the supposed refresh that is coming which now looks to be a year later than planned. These M series Macbooks still have a ton of life in them so I'm in no hurry.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
torontotim Avatar
6 weeks ago

still no 120hz outside the pro model... apple's hardware is feeling super lackluster and dated. imbeciles up and down the chain.
Yeah - they're total morons.



Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KENESS Avatar
6 weeks ago
Oh crap, people are going to be moaning about a "delay" for a release date that was never official or announced in the first place.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anakin44011 Avatar
6 weeks ago

A March PRO event makes a lot of sense. MacBookPro and Mac Studio with M5 and either an upgrade to the Mac Pro or a new tower design, alongside the unveiling of Apple's Creative Suite: Final Cut Pro updates for Mac and iPad, Logic for coming to iPad and the official welcoming of the newly acquired Pixelmator and Photomator, likely to be rebranded to fit in Apple's family of creative products — Apple Creative Pro and the return of Aperture, respectively.

That's a lot of newness to fit in October when they'll not want to overshadow the brand new iPhone Air and a series of other consumer related news like the possibility of the HomePad announcement, new HomePods and Apple TV released for the holidays.
I want a glass of whatever you are drinking...but I love the concept!

While we're at it, how about a Mac Pro with an option of multiple M5 Extreme daughter cards to serve as a render farm! Not that I need one, but it would be cool for Apple to have a halo workstation that would help really high end creators do some fantastic things with Immersive Video.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hvfsl Avatar
6 weeks ago
Hopefully they offer more sensible storage options with the new models. The PRO machines should start at 1TB, with 2TB, 4TB and 8TB options.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)