If you’re still on the fence about whether to buy a new MacBook Pro, you’re not alone. Apple fans, creatives, developers, and tech enthusiasts are all waiting for the same thing: the MacBook Pro M5. With the M4 chip already in the MacBook Pro, Air and iPad Pro, the M5 is the next logical step—and it’s going to be a major upgrade.
So, what’s so special about it?
When will it be available?
What new features will it have?
And most importantly, Will the M5 be worth the wait??
Let’s take a look at everything we know about the MacBook Pro M5 (and what to expect)—from the release timeline and chip specs to design improvements, pricing, and future possibilities.
MacBook Pro M5 Release Date: What We Know So Far
Traditionally, Apple releases new MacBooks in the fall, usually in October or November. This is the case with the M1, M3, and M4 chips. However, multiple reliable sources are now reporting that the MacBook Pro M5 may not be available until the end of 2025, which is consistent with many people’s initial expectations.
Bloomberg’s Report
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is aiming for an M5-based MacBook Pro launch in the first half of 2026. This contradicts earlier leaks pointing to a late 2025 release.
Other Sources Supporting Delay
- NotebookCheck and MacRumors: Mention internal delays in M5 chip production.
- Wccftech & AppleInsider: Point out Apple’s strategy to stretch the lifecycle of the M4 to maximize holiday sales.
MacBook Pro Release Timeline: M1 to M5
| Model | Expected/Actual Release Date | Status |
| M1 MacBook Pro | November 10, 2020 | ✅ Released |
| M2 MacBook Pro | June 6, 2022 (13-inch) | ✅ Released |
| M3 MacBook Pro | October 30, 2023 | ✅ Released |
| M4 MacBook Pro | October 7, 2024 (Expected) | ✅ Released |
| M5 MacBook Pro | March–May 2026 (Estimated) | 🔄 Rumored/Delayed |
Apple’s MacBook Refresh Timeline: A Historical Look
Apple tends to follow a somewhat regular update pattern:
- M1: November 2020
- M1 Pro/Max: October 2021
- M2 Series: June 2022 and January 2023
- M3 Series: October 2023
- M4 Series: October 2024
So, naturally, people expected the M5 in early 2026. However, Apple may now stretch this cadence to allow more time between chip upgrades.
Why the M5 Powered MacBook Pro Might be Delayed
Apple typically refreshes the MacBook Pro lineup every 12–14 months. If Apple already has a working M5 chip, why the delay?
1. Market Strategy
Apple may want to avoid cannibalizing M4 MacBook Pro sales during the 2025 holiday season. Releasing the M5 too soon could shorten the shelf life of M4 models.
2. Design Cycle
The leaker claims that Apple is preparing a major redesign of the MacBook with OLED displays, thinner bezels, and possibly even a notch-less screen by the end of 2026. Before this major change, the M5 model will likely only see minor spec upgrades.
3. Supply Chain & Production
There may also be production bottlenecks or yield issues with the new 3nm+ manufacturing process.
Expected Features and Upgrades
Even without a design overhaul, the MacBook Pro M5 is still expected to bring some meaningful performance improvements:
M5 Chip Performance
- 15–25% performance improvement over the M4
- Improved energy efficiency
- Better AI/ML capabilities with upgraded Neural Engine
- Enhanced GPU performance (especially for creative professionals)
Connectivity Upgrades
- Likely introduction of Wi-Fi 7
- Thunderbolt 5 could be standard
- Bluetooth 5.4 or higher
Display & Build
- Still LCD (OLED coming with M6 models)
- 120Hz ProMotion remains
- New color variants? Space Black or Sky Blue, possibly
- MagSafe charging retained
M3 vs M4 vs M5: What Could Be Different?
| Feature | M3 MacBook Pro | M4 MacBook Pro | M5 MacBook Pro (Expected) |
| CPU | 8-core (M3), 12-core (M3 Max) | 10-core (M4 Pro), 12-core (M4 Max) | 10–12 core (Pro), up to 16-core (Max/Ultra) |
| GPU | 10-core (M3), 40-core (M3 Max) | Up to 40-core (M4 Max) | 12–40+ core, next-gen architecture |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | 16-core | 20-core or more (AI-optimized) |
| Process | 3nm (N3B) | Second-gen 3nm (N3E) | 3nm or 2nm (N3P or N2) |
| AI Capability | Basic | Moderate – Apple Intelligence support (limited) | Advanced – Deeper Apple Intelligence integration |
| RAM (Unified Memory) | Up to 24 GB | Up to 32 GB (Pro), 128 GB (Max) | 48–128 GB, better memory bandwidth |
| Display | Mini‑LED with ProMotion | Mini‑LED with ProMotion | Mini‑LED; OLED in M6 (2026) |
| Battery Life | ~18 hours | ~20 hours | ~20–24 hours (expected) |
| Wi‑Fi | Wi‑Fi 6E | Wi‑Fi 6E | Wi‑Fi 7 |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, MagSafe | Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, MagSafe | Thunderbolt 5, HDMI 2.2+, MagSafe |
| Design | 2021 chassis (MagSafe return) | Same chassis, minor tweaks | Same chassis, possibly new color options |
| Target Users | Students, light creators | Professionals, coders, content creators | AI professionals, ML engineers, heavy users |
Price Expectations
Apple rarely changes prices dramatically unless there’s a significant redesign. So, expect similar pricing for M5 models:
| Model | Chip | RAM | Storage | Expected Price |
| 14″ Base | M5 | 16GB | 512GB | $1,599–$1,799 |
| 14″ Pro | M5 Pro | 24GB | 512GB | $1,999–$2,399 |
| 16″ Pro | M5 Pro | 24GB | 1TB | $2,499–$2,899 |
| 16″ Max | M5 Max | 36–48GB | 1TB | $3,499–$3,999 |
Remember: Apple could probably sell its M4 models for less. If you’re a power user, the 16-inch M5 Max will be a good fit for you. But for most professionals, the 14-inch M5 Pro strikes the best balance between performance and portability.
Availability & Launch Event Prediction
- M1 launched at Apple’s “One More Thing” event.
- M2 was announced during WWDC 2022.
- M3 was introduced in Apple’s “Scary Fast” event on October 30, 2023.
- M4 MacBook Pro was officially announced on October 30, 2024, with pre orders starting the same day, and began shipping November 8, 2024.
- M5 may be delayed due to Apple’s new chip roadmap and possible shift to 2nm technology.
Possible Launch Windows:
| Event | Timing | Likelihood | Reasoning |
| Spring 2026 Keynote | March–April 2026 | ✅ Most Likely | Bloomberg and analysts suggest a dedicated Mac event is planned. |
| WWDC 2026 | June 1, 2026 | 🔶 Possible | Could coincide with macOS features aligned with M5 capabilities. |
| Fall 2026 Event | October 2026 | ❌ Less Likely | Too late unless Apple extends the M4 generation further. |
Preorders
Pre Orders may open immediately after the event with availability in Q1 or Q2 2026.
Who Should Wait for the MacBook Pro M5?
While the M5 MacBook Pro is expected to be available in early 2026, it’s not expected to be until early 2026. So the choice of waiting or buying the M4 depends on your current needs, budget, and how you use your Mac.
You should wait for the M5 if you:
- Using an older Mac, such as an M1 or Intel-based MacBook Pro, and wanting major improvements in performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities.
- Working in fields such as AI development, machine learning, 3D design, video editing, or software engineering, where the expected 2nm chips and advanced neural network engines will bring tangible benefits.
- Want to future-proof your investment – the M5 may be the first laptop truly focused on Apple intelligence, designed for the next 5+ years of macOS and AI development.
- If you want to be on the cutting edge of Apple silicon, especially if you’re waiting for new features like Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, or larger memory and GPU options.
You should buy the M4 now if you:
- You need to buy a new MacBook Pro in 2024 or 2025, and can’t wait until mid-2026.
- Prefer a stable, mature platform – the M4 is optimized for macOS and delivers great performance for everyone, from professionals to students to creators.
- You don’t need the latest AI hardware – the M4 still supports Apple intelligence, has great battery life, and is very fast.
- Want to avoid the uncertainty of first-generation chips on new nodes (such as 2nm), which may bring early bugs, limited inventory, or price increases.
FAQs
Most reliable sources expect the launch in early 2026, not late 2025.
No. The major redesign is expected with the M6 model in late 2026.
If you need a laptop now, M4 is excellent. If you’re okay waiting and want better AI capabilities, hold off for M5.
Yes, by around 15–25%, including gains in CPU, GPU, and AI performance.
Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 5, upgraded Neural Engine, and better GPU performance.
Conclusion
The MacBook Pro M5 is proving to be a strong upgrade for Apple’s Pro line, even if it doesn’t have a flashy new design. Many expected it to be released in 2025, but now there are signs that it will be released in early 2026 as Apple adjusts its performance and design cycle schedule.
If you are a heavy user and want to experience the cutting-edge capabilities of Apple Silicon, it may be worth the wait. For other users, the M4 is a great device and may soon be available at a discount price.
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Sources
- Bloomberg – Apple plans new MacBook Pro and other products in early 2026
- NotebookCheck – M5 MacBook Pro launch delayed to early 2026, final model before redesign
- 9to5Mac – outlines Guardians report, mentions trend for Apple’s delayed timeline
- TweakTown – MacBook Pro and Air with M5 may arrive early‑to‑mid 2026
- BGR – confirms M5 MacBook Pro delayed until 2026
- AppleInsider – M5 MacBook Pro expected first half of 2026, no redesign
- AppleInsider (March) – no redesign for M5 generation; redesign planned for late 2026
