3 min read
Speculation has reached a fever pitch over Apple’s next MacBook Pro, which is expected to feature the new M5 chip. A flurry of recent rumors, including a cryptic teaser from a top Apple executive, points to a late 2025 or early 2026 launch for the next-generation laptop. While performance is set to improve, bigger, more transformative upgrades appear to be further down the road.
The M5 chip is rumored to be built on TSMC’s advanced 3-nanometer (3nm) process, promising substantial improvements over its M4 predecessor. Performance benchmarks from leaked iPad Pro units with an M5 chip hint at:
- CPU: A 12–15% boost in multi-core performance compared to the M4, based on preliminary Geekbench results.
- GPU: A significant gain of 34–36% in graphics throughput.
- AI Acceleration: A more powerful Neural Engine for on-device AI tasks, such as background upscaling and object removal.
The M5 is an incremental, though respectable, upgrade over the M4, continuing Apple’s focus on refining performance and efficiency. While M1 and M2 MacBook Pro owners will see a noticeable speed increase, M4 owners face a more subtle upgrade dilemma.
The base 14-inch MacBook Pro is expected to be the first to receive the M5 chip, likely before the end of 2025. More powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max variants are likely to follow in early 2026, with some reports suggesting their development is taking longer due to a possible new chip design.
Unlike the more transformative updates expected in later years, the M5-powered MacBook Pro is rumored to maintain the current industrial design, with few significant changes. However, minor upgrades could include a new color option (possibly a blue tint) and improved camera and connectivity standards, such as Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 5.
More radical changes, such as OLED displays, thinner designs, and potential touchscreen functionality, are likely being reserved for the M6 generation, rumored to launch in late 2026 or 2027.
Despite a recent teaser from Apple’s Greg Joswiak hinting at an imminent launch, reports on the timeline remain inconsistent. While some sources predict an unveiling in the coming weeks, others point to possible delays into early 2026, especially for the high-end M5 Pro and M5 Max models.
For prospective buyers, the decision to wait hinges on your current hardware.
Here is what those opting for M5 from M4 will feel an upgrade:
| 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) |
For those with an M1 or M2 MacBook Pro, the M5 offers a compelling performance leap.
For those seeking the most significant updates, including OLED screens and a possible touchscreen, waiting for the M6 generation in 2026 or later may be the wisest choice.
