Apple set to launch M5-powered MacBook Pro this autumn

CALIFORNIA: Apple is gearing up to introduce the next generation of its MacBook Pro series, powered by the highly anticipated M5 chips. After completing a refresh of its Mac lineup with M4 chips, Apple is now expected to unveil the M5-powered MacBook Pro later this year.

Rumours suggest that the new MacBook Pro models will retain the current design, with no significant changes expected. Any modifications are likely to be minor and largely confined to internal updates. A major design overhaul is unlikely until Apple transitions to OLED display technology, which is anticipated around 2026.

The new MacBook Pro lineup will feature the M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips. The base 14-inch model will be equipped with the standard M5 chip, while the more advanced M5 Pro and M5 Max chips will be reserved for the higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch models.

Apple’s M5 chips will continue to use a 3-nanometer manufacturing process, similar to the M4 chips, but with improvements aimed at boosting performance. The chips will be produced using more advanced System on Integrated Chip (SoIC) packaging technology, developed by Apple’s manufacturing partner TSMC. This new technology enables better chip stacking in a 3D structure, resulting in improved electrical performance and thermal efficiency.

With these enhancements, the M5 chips are expected to be faster, more power-efficient, and better suited for handling AI and machine learning tasks. Apple also plans to use the M5 chips in its AI servers, which power features like Apple Intelligence.

Looking ahead, Apple is working on an OLED version of the MacBook Pro, which is expected to launch by 2026. This model is set to deliver significant improvements in display quality, with enhanced brightness, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency thanks to OLED technology.

Additionally, the 2026 model may feature Apple’s next-generation 2-nanometer chip and could introduce 5G connectivity for the first time in a MacBook.

Mass production of the M5 chips is expected to begin in 2025, meaning the first M5-powered Macs could arrive in the autumn of that year. Apple last updated the MacBook Pro series in October 2024, so a similar timeline for the 2025 release is likely.

While the upcoming MacBook Pro models may not bring major design changes, the internal upgrades with the M5 chips are expected to provide significant improvements in performance, making them a highly anticipated release. However, for those seeking more substantial upgrades, such as OLED displays and 5G connectivity, it might be worth waiting until 2026.

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