CALIFORNIA (Kashmir English): Speculation has hit a fever pitch as to when Apple’s next MacBook Pro will debut with the new M5 chip. A deluge of recent rumors, including a cryptic hint from one of Apple’s highest-ranking executives, suggests that the next-generation laptop will arrive in late 2025 or early 2026.
Although performance will improve, larger, more revolutionary upgrades seem to be further in the future. The M5 chip is reportedly based on TSMC’s cutting-edge 3-nanometer (3nm) process, offering significant improvements over the M4.
Performance tests from leaked iPad Pro models featuring an M5 chip suggest:
- CPU: A 12–15% increase in multi-core performance over the M4, according to early Geekbench tests.
- GPU: A dramatic increase of 34–36% in graphics performance.
- AI Acceleration: A faster Neural Engine to do on-device AI work, like background upscaling and removing objects.
The M5 is an evolutionary, but decent, improvement upon the M4, keeping Apple on its path of streamlining performance and efficiency. While M1 and M2 MacBook Pro users will notice a significant speed bump, M4 users have a more nuanced upgrade conundrum.
The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is likely to get the M5 chip first, probably before the close of 2025. Higher-spec versions, the M5 Pro and M5 Max, will probably land in early 2026, with some speculation that development is slow coming because of a potential new chip design.
| Macbook M5 | Macbook M4 |
| TSMC 3nm (Refined) manufacturing process | TSMC 3nm (1st Gen) manufacturing process |
| CPU: ~12–15% Multi-core improvement | CPU: Baseline |
| GPU: ~34–36% faster | GPU: Baseline |
| Further Upgraded Neural Engine | Enhanced Neural Engine |
| New colors, improved design | Current industrial design |
| Mini-LED | Mini-LED |
| Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 5 (standard) | Wi-Fi 6E (Thunderbolt 5 on Pro/Max) |
In contrast to the more radical updates slated for subsequent years, the MacBook Pro powered by the M5 is said to retain the existing industrial design, with minimal substantial changes. The minor changes might include an additional color option (perhaps a blue hue) and enhanced camera and connectivity specifications, such as Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 5.
More significant revisions, including OLED screens, thinner chassis, and possible touchscreen capability, are presumably being saved for the M6 generation, with rumors of a late 2026 or 2027 release.
Even as Apple’s Greg Joswiak recently teased a near-future launch, the reports on timing are conflicting. While some suggest an unveiling in the near future, others indicate potential delays to early 2026, particularly for the high-end M5 Pro and M5 Max versions.
Prospective customers will decide to wait based on your existing hardware.
Here’s what those choosing M5 over M4 will experience: an improvement.
- Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 5 (standard) Wi-Fi 6E (Thunderbolt 5 on Pro/Max)
- To users with an M1 or M2 MacBook Pro, the M5 provides a valuable performance boost.
To those in need of the biggest advancements, such as OLED displays and a potential touchscreen, waiting for the M6 generation later in 2026 or beyond might be the smartest option.
