TL; DR
- This fall (which begins in September), Apple could refresh its MacBook Pro lineup with the Pro and Max variants of Apple’s M5 chip.
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that the M5’s Pro and Max variants will utilize TSMC’s latest System-in-Integrated-Chips-Molding-Horizontally (SoIC-mH) 2.5D packaging. - In 2026, Apple is expected to release new Mac Studio and M5 MacBook Air models.
Shortly after the anticipated launch of the iPhone 17 in September, Apple may refresh its MacBook Pro lineup with new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Although we aren’t expecting the notebooks to undergo any physical changes, the new Apple silicon will provide them with a significant performance boost. The Cupertino giant is also working on new Mac Studio and MacBook Air for 2026.
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M5 MacBook Pro Variants Could Release This Fall
While the M4 chip first debuted on the iPad Pro (2024), Apple introduced the M4 Pro and the M4 Max chips on the MacBook Pro models in late 2024. It was around the same time that the Mac mini and the iMac got the M4 chips (and their variants).
This fall (which begins in September), Apple could refresh its MacBook Pro lineup with the Pro and Max variants of Apple’s M5 chip. While the company could retain the overall design of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro variants, it could equip them with the M5 Pro and the M5 Max chips.
14-Inch And 16-Inch M5 MacBook Pro Variants In The Works
Apple Insider has gained access to four identifiers for the upcoming MacBook Pro models.
- While ‘J714s’ refers to the purported 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro, ‘J714c’ refers to the MacBook Pro with M5 Max.
- Similarly, ‘J716s’ and ‘J716c’ refer to the 16-inch MacBook Pro variants with an M5 Pro and an M5 Max chip, respectively.
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that the M5’s Pro and Max variants will utilize TSMC’s latest System-in-Integrated-Chips-Molding-Horizontally (SoIC-mH) 2.5D packaging, which should result in higher processing power and improved efficiency numbers. Kuo also mentions how the technology will benefit production yields and thermal performance.
Given that Apple is expected to release the iPhone 17 in September 2025, there’s a good chance that the M5-powered MacBook Pro variants will break cover in October 2025.
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New Mac mini and iMac Also In The Pipeline
The Apple Insider report also mentions an unreleased M5 Pro Mac Mini with the identifier ‘J873s’, while another variant may feature the regular M5 chip. Similarly, there’s a ‘J833ct’ Mac in the development, which could be the M5 iMac.
The new Mac mini and the iMac could also debut alongside the latest MacBook Pro variants in October 2025.
Apple’s Plans For 2026: New Mac Studio, M5 MacBook Air, And Redesigned MacBook Pro
The Mac Pro, which hasn’t been updated since 2023, might also get a refresh in 2025. The report mentions a device codenamed ‘J704’, said to be the purported Mac Pro. Whether the Mac Pro will feature the M3 Ultra chip or an unreleased M5 Ultra chip remains to be seen.
In 2026, Apple is expected to release two new Mac Studio models, codenamed ‘J775c’ and ‘J775d’. The company should also unveil its M5-powered MacBook Air models, with little to no changes on the exterior, in the same year. The identifiers for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air variants are ‘J813’ and ‘J815.’
Later in 2026, Apple may release new MacBook Pro variants featuring the M6 chip, a redesigned chassis, and the highly anticipated OLED panels. The lineup could also be the first to feature an in-built modem for cellular connection.
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While ‘K114s’ and ‘K114c’ are the codenames for the 14-inch MacBook Pro variants with the M6 Pro and the M6 Max chips (respectively), ‘K116s’ and ‘K116c’ represent the 16-inch variants with M6 Pro and M6 Max chips (respectively).
There are two other MacBooks on the cards for 2026: ‘J700’ and ‘J804’. While the former could be an entry-level MacBook Pro or a Mac Pro, the latter could be the first MacBook variant powered with an A-series chipset (likely the A18).
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