MacBook Pro M5 Pro & Max release date: Where are the Pro MacBooks?

Macworld

In October 2025, Apple introduced an M5 MacBook Pro, but didn’t update the year-old M4 Pro or M4 Max machines. Instead, it looks like we will be waiting until spring 2026 for the M5 Pro and M5 Max models to arrive.

While the M5 processor in the MacBook Pro boasts a new GPU architecture with a Neural Accelerator in each core that Apple says provides “over 4x the peak GPU compute performance for AI compared to M4,” and a 45 percent improvement in graphics performance compared to the M4, the new chip is still no match for the M4 Pro and M4 Max in the more powerful MacBook Pro models still on sale.

But what changes could be coming to the MacBook Pro models, and is it going to be worth the wait, or would power users be wise to wait a little longer for the much bigger changes rumored to be just around the corner? The M6 generation of the MacBook Pro could offer a touch screen and more. This article will keep track of the rumors about the M5 Pro and M5 Max, and offer a perspective based on Apple’s Mac lineup. Here’s everything we know so far.

At a glance: Current MacBook Pro compared to M5 Pro and M5 Max rumors

FeatureM4 Pro / M4 Max (Current)M4 Pro / M4 Max (Current)M6 rumours…ReleaseOctober 2024 (current models)Early 2026 (rumoured)Late 2026/2027DesignSame as 2021 modelExpected to retain existing designRedesign DisplayMini-LED, up to 1,600 nits peakSame Mini-LEDOLED display, touchscreen CPU CoresM4 Pro: 12–14 cores M4 Max: 14–16 coresRumoured similar/core counts but with architectural improvements including modular CPU/GPU blocks GPU CoresM4 Pro: 16–20 M4 Max: 32–40Improved performance boost over M4 series Chip ArchitectureTSMC enhanced 3 nm (M4 Pro/Max) Enhanced M5 generation; chips.  May separate CPU/GPU tiles for efficiency.PerformanceStrong pro performanceRumoured 25–30 % performance uplift compared to M4 generation for Pro/Max chipsAI / NeuralM4 features a 16-core Neural Engine Enhanced AI throughput rumouredMemory & BandwidthM4 Max supports up to 128 GB unified memory with up to 546 GB/s bandwidthWill maintain high bandwidth and configurations for professional usePorts & ConnectivityThunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 6E (current models) Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thunderbolt 5 possibleCamera12 MP FaceTime camera No significant camera upgrades expectedHole-punch webcam, rather than notch

New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Design




Foundry

No change to the design expected.

Big changes are said to be coming to the M6 MacBook Pro.

Apple last updated the design of the MacBook Pro in 2021. There was no change to the design of the MacBook Pro when Apple introduced the M5 model. Apple will likely stick with the current design for the M5 Pro and Max models. It’s always possible that a new color makes an appearance—like Space Black in 2023—but for the most part, the MacBook Pro design is set for at least another year.

Bigger changes are expected for the M6 generation. In July 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the M5 MacBook Pro series is to be the last of this current design. Apple appears to be saving the next major design upgrade for the M6 MacBook Pro for 2026. The M6 upgrade is said to include OLED screens, a camera “hole” to replace the notch, and a thinner design.

There have been suggestions that the overhaul of the MacBook design could mark the 20th anniversary of the MacBook Pro. However, the first MacBook Pro was introduced at Macworld Conference in January 2006 and the rumors aren’t pointing to an early 2026 redesign.

New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Display

No change to display expected.

There is no change to the display on the M5 MacBook Pro, so it’s unlikely that the M5 Max and M5 Pro models will get any screen updates. Although we could see a higher nits brightness rating, up from the current 1,600 nits peak.

Back in February 11, 2025, The Elec reported that OLED displays for the MacBook Pro were going into production, but these weren’t expected to featured in the laptop until 2026. Unfortunately, the big display changes seem set to arrive with a subsequent generation of MacBook Pro, with rumors pointing to Apple introducing OLED screens with the M6 generation of MacBook Pro.

There could be something even more exciting coming with the M6 generation: a touchscreen! Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple is going to launch a MacBook with a touch screen, and it could arrive on a MacBook Pro as soon as 2026. However, this update is not expected to arrive until the M6 generation and could be delayed until 2027.




Apple could be saving any drastic changes to the MacBook Pro for 2026.Foundry

New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Camera

No change expected.

The M4 MacBook Pro added a 12MP FaceTime camera, a decent upgrade from the 1080p FaceTime camera. The M5 Macook Pro maintains this camera, so it is unlikely the Pro and Max models will gain anything.

However, we could see a similar FaceTime camera update to 18MP as seen on the iPhone 17. The square sensor is less relevant here as the MacBook Pro will only ever be in one orientation, although it could allow for more of the area around a person to be visible.

More changes are rumored for the camera in the M6 generation: reports suggest that in the future we may see a hole-punch webcam instead of notch.




Petter Ahrnstedt

New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Processor

New chip design for the M5 Pro and M5 Max could feature the CPU and GPU on separate blocks.

The M5 MacBook Pro that launched in October 2025 is little more than a chip refresh, and the M5 Pro and Max will likely be a similar story, featuring chips based on the same generation as the M5, but scaled up for professional workloads. Reports had indicated that we can expect a typical performance boost from one chip generation to another–between 15 and 25 percent over the M4 chips.

On July 3, AppleInsider reported that Apple plans the release four standard configurations with the following code names:

J714c: M5 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro

J714s: M5 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro

J716c: M5 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro

J716s: M5 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro

However, there could be more coming to entice power users. In October 2025, MaxTech’s Vadim Yuryev reported that Apple is working on a new chip design for the M5 Pro and M5 Max that would feature the CPU and GPU on separate blocks. This modular chip design that could allow more flexible CPU/GPU configurations and would allow customers greater options to configure these components. For example, one could set up a base CPU configuration with a maxed-out GPU. Yuryev stated that this new design is why the M5 Pro and M5 Max are delayed until 2026.

On May 8, 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple is working on M6 and M7 chips, but they won’t be in the MacBook Pro until later. Apple is also working on a “more advanced Mac chip” called Sotra, but no details were provided.

And in December 2025 a MacRumors report indicated that a kernel debug kit used by Apple engineers referenced MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, indicating that the update is coming soon.

New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Specs

N1 chip: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

Thunderbolt 5.

With the launch of the M4 MacBook Pro, Apple made a series of upgrades that replaced outdated components, including upping the base RAM to 16GB, bringing Thunderbolt 5 to the M4 Pro and Max models, and offering a Nano-texture glass option. The M5 MacBook Pro saw no changes to the specs other than the processor. The Bluetooth and WiFi remained the same. A new 4TB SSD option was added, but in the U.K. and Europe, Apple has removed the Power Adapter from the box.

However, Wi-Fi 7 is expected to arrive on the MacBook Pro M5 Pro and Max. Apple may also integrate the N1 chip, as used in the iPhone 17, which will bring Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, as well as improve features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.




Apple

The entry-level model still only offers Thunderbolt 4, but the Max and Pro will continue to offer Thunderbolt 5.

There are reports that Apple is working on a 5G modem for the Mac, but it’s unlikely to arrive before 2026.

New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Release date

Possible launch spring 2026.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in March 2025 that Apple was on schedule to ship the M5 MacBook Pro “around the same time of year” as when the M4 and M3 MacBook Pro shipped. That suggested an October/November timeframe. Gurman then reported in May 2025 that the M5 MacBook Pro could arrive “as early as the end of this year.”

Gurman was initially confident that Apple would release the M5 MacBook Pro by the end of 2025, and indeed it did, but his confidence was certainly faltering as the launch neared, with a tweet prior to the launch pointing out that the M4 MacBook Pro was constrained, but not the M4 Max or M4 Pro models.

On the base level 14-inch MacBook Pros, custom configurations on the line store are constrained till the end of October. Not the case for the Pro/Max and 16-inch models.— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 6, 2025

Then, Vadim Yuryev, host of the Max Tech YouTube channel, predicted on October 6: “3 days of M5 chip product launches next week starting on Monday or Tuesday. M5 MacBook Pro 14-inch model ONLY, M5 iPad Pro, M5 Vision Pro.”

The M5 MacBook Pro did launch, but we have a longer wait for the M5 Pro and M5 Max models and for now all the rumors indicate that it will be a spring launch for the rest of the MacBook Pro lineup.

New M5 MacBook Pro: Price

Prices are unlikely to change.

Reports suggest pricing for M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros will align with the current Pro and Max models.

Here are the prices for the current standard configurations of the M4 Pro and Max MacBook Pro, for reference. Prices are unlikely to change.

14-inch MacBook Pro

$1,999/£1,999: M4 Pro with a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5

$2,399/£2,399: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5

$3,199/£3,199: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5

16-inch MacBook Pro

$2,499/£2,499: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5

$2,899/£2,899: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5

$3,499/£3,499: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5

$3,999/£3,999: M4 Max with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5

The M5 MacBook Pro prices haven’t changed, but in the U.K. and Europe the Power Adapter will cost extra:

$1,599/£1,599: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4

$1,799/£1,799: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 4

$1,999/£1,999: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 1GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4

Read our comparison of every Mac Apple sells: Every Apple Mac and MacBook compared.