Apple’s M5 MacBooks and Macs: Release Timeline, Predictions, and What to Expect in 2025-2026
So, guys, a lot of you are wondering:?When is the next generation of MacBooks and Macs coming out with the M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra??Well, today, I want to cover the actual release timeline for these devices. Based on what we’ve been told, it’s most likely going to be the?end of 2025 or even potentially 2026. I’ll share all the details about that, but first, let’s talk about some other Macs—specifically, the?M4 MacBook Air—that are still to come in 2025.
The M4 Journey Isn’t Over Yet
Believe it or not, we haven’t finished the M4 journey. For example, we’re still waiting for the?M4 MacBook Air. To be honest, this is probably the next generation of Mac to get this chip. The last time we saw an update to the MacBook Air was in?2024, when it got the M3 chip at the beginning of March.
More than likely, Apple will update the MacBook Air in?March or early April 2025. With this update, we’ll get all the benefits of the M4’s efficiencies and performance, which is going to be really cool. The best part? The baseline amount of RAM will start at?16 GB, which is going to be super handy.
What Else to Expect in 2025
Alongside the MacBook Air update, we’re expecting Apple to hold an event around March or April 2025. At this event, we’ll likely see:
After that, as we enter the?summer of 2025, we’ll likely see another update at?WWDC. This is where we’ll get updates to the?Mac Studio, which is expected to feature the?M4 Ultra?chip, according to leaks and rumors. Later in 2025, we’ll also see the?Mac Pro?updated with the?M4 Ultra?chip as well. Exciting times ahead!
Why the M5 Timeline Makes Sense
Now, the reason I’ve shared all this information about the M4 journey is that Apple likely won’t overlap their chip generations. They’ll want to roll out the?M4 Ultra?and other M4 chips before starting the M5 lineup.
If you’re expecting new?MacBook Pros?with the M5 series (M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max) or devices like the?iMac?or?Mac Mini?before the summer of 2025, it’s really unlikely. The earliest we’ll see these devices is likely the?end of 2025. According to?Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will start ramping up M5 chip development near the end of 2025.
Will the M5 follow the M4 timeline?
Some of you might be wondering if the M5 will follow the same timeline as the M4 and M3, with releases in?October. Personally, I don’t think so. If the?Mac Pro?is launching around the same time as the iPhones, I can’t see the M5 lineup starting so quickly after that.
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Another thing to note is that the?iPad Pro?was the first device to get the M4 chip. It’s likely that the iPad Pro will also be the first device to get the?M5 chip?at the end of 2025. This makes sense, especially with the?Mac Studio?and?Mac Pro?launching with the M4 Ultra and M4 Max chips in 2025.
Mark Gurman’s Predictions
According to?Mark Gurman, the iPad lineup will likely get the M5 chip at the end of 2025 or early 2026. This means the?M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max?might not arrive until?2026. This would mark the beginning of the M5 journey.
There’s some debate here, though. While Ming-Chi Kuo suggested we’d see new MacBooks by the end of 2025, Mark Gurman believes the iPads will come first, with MacBooks following in 2026. Either way, it’s going to be exciting to see how this plays out.
M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max & M5 Ultra Timeline
Based on the scenarios presented, I’m leaning toward?Mark Gurman’s predictions. If we see the?Mac Studio?at WWDC 2025 and the?Mac Pro?in the fall, it’s likely the?iPad Pro?with the M5 chip will follow later in 2025. I don’t see new MacBooks launching at the same time.
Instead, I think we’ll see the?MacBook Pros?with the?M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max?around?March 2026. At?WWDC 2026, we might see updates to the?MacBook Air,?Mac Studio, and possibly the?Mac Mini. However, it’s worth noting that the?Mac Studio?and?Mac Pro?might not get updated until?2027, as they’re less popular than other Mac devices.
Final Thoughts
To summarize:
What are your thoughts on this timeline? Do you think the M5 lineup will arrive sooner or later? Let me know in the comments below.