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

Popular Stories

Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Event in October? Here's What to Expect

Monday September 29, 2025 9:31 am PDT by
Apple's annual iPhone event is in the rearview mirror, but rumors suggest the company plans to release a handful of additional products before the year ends. Will there be another Apple event this October? We discuss the possibility below. Apple in October Apple's most recent October events were in 2021 and 2023. In 2022 and 2024, Apple did not host an October event. Instead, it...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro teal 1

Apple's iPhone Driver's License Feature Now Available in 11 U.S. States

Tuesday September 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Apple recently revealed that the feature would soon be available in North Dakota, and starting today, the feature has officially gone...
maxresdefault

New iPad Pro With M5 Chip Leaked in Unboxing Video

Tuesday September 30, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
An apparent unboxing video for an unannounced iPad Pro with the M5 chip was uploaded to YouTube today by Russian channel Wylsacom. The same YouTube account leaked the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip before it was announced by Apple last year, so this is likely a legitimate leak. Based on the box shown in the video, this appears to be a 13-inch iPad Pro with an M5 chip, 256GB of...
space black mbp

Here's Every New Apple Product That Leaked Yesterday

Wednesday October 1, 2025 8:27 am PDT by
A handful of upcoming Apple products leaked yesterday, through a combination of YouTube videos out of Russia and U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) documents that were released, despite Apple's confidentiality requests. The leaked products include an iPad Pro with an M5 chip, as well as updated MacBook Pro and Apple Vision Pro models. All of these devices had already been rumored...
fcc vision pro leak

FCC Accidentally Leaks Apple's Next Vision Pro

Tuesday September 30, 2025 3:48 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has seemingly confirmed Apple's work on an updated version of the Vision Pro headset. One of several documents the FCC shared today references an Apple-designed "Head Mounted Device" with a model number of A3416. An included image confirms the device is a Vision Pro. The FCC's uploads are transmission tests, SAR test reports, and...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.0.1 With Fixes for Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Camera Issues on iPhone 17 Models

Monday September 29, 2025 10:12 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 26.0.1 and iPadOS 26.0.1, the first updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out earlier this week. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes for the update, iOS 26.0.1 addresses a bug that could cause aberrations in...
macbook pro prime day 2025

FCC Leaks Upcoming MacBook Pro and More

Tuesday September 30, 2025 1:58 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission has confirmed Apple's work on a new version of the MacBook Pro and several other products, leaking details on the devices ahead of launch. The FCC published documents that reference model numbers that do not correspond with existing devices. A3434, for example, references an unreleased MacBook Pro, while other numbers are likely for...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pro Nears Mass Production, But Four Bigger Upgrades Expected Next Year

Sunday September 28, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next MacBook Pro models will enter mass production soon, according to the latest information shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said he continues to believe the new MacBook Pro models will be released at some point between late 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meaning they should be available to order by March at the latest. Apple often...
iOS 26

Apple Continues to Prepare iOS 26.0.1 With Multiple Bug Fixes Expected

Sunday September 28, 2025 1:30 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The account initially said iOS 26.0.1 would have a build number of 23A350, but they now expect the update to have a build number of 23A355. This suggests that the software update will include more bug fixes or changes than initially...
Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Thursday September 25, 2025 1:11 pm PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system codenamed "Charismatic," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple smart home hub concept based on rumors This is likely Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system. In a report last month, Gurman said both Apple's rumored smart home hub in 2026 and tabletop robot in 2027 will run the new operating system. He said the software platform ...

Top Rated Comments

ipedro Avatar
7 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
7 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
7 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
7 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
7 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
7 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)