The MacBook range with cellular connectivity was long overdue, but Apple has finally decided to offer this particular functionality to the masses, as leaked code reveals that an upcoming MacBook Pro model will ship with a 5G modem. However, the latest information only mentions a single chipset in development, which could mean that Apple will keep its baseband-powered portable Mac exclusive to just a single machine. Whatever the company’s decision is, we will discuss the latest leak at length below.
A new chipset found in the leaked code was the M5 Pro; will the upcoming MacBook Pro with 5G connectivity be limited to just a single silicon?
With all of Apple’s iPad models featuring a 5G modem, it was only a matter of time before the MacBook Pro received the same treatment. Macworld, which previously discovered the presence of the M4 Ultra, now reports that the company is not just working on a 5G modem designed for a MacBook Pro, but it is also developing the M5 Pro, which features the codename ‘t6050.’ What is interesting about the newest leak is that it does not mention anything related to the base M5 or the M5 Max, which may indicate that the 5G modem could be exclusive to the M5 Pro.
Then again, it might just be a plain coincidence that the M5 Pro showed up in the latest leaked code, alongside the 5G-powered MacBook Pro. As for which baseband chip is expected to find its way to the portable Mac, the report mentions ‘Centuari,’ which is the codename for the C1, and is currently found in the iPhone 16e. While it is disappointing to hear that the older in-house 5G modem, which lacks mmWave connectivity, will potentially find its place in the MacBook Pro, we can understand why Apple will go through this route.
Firstly, the MacBook Pro’s cellular functionality will only be used in certain scenarios, and those situations do not require access to those ultra-fast mmWave networks, as sub-6GHz bands will enable the completion of those tasks too. Also, it is important to note that just because there is evidence of a 5G-powered MacBook Pro in the uncovered code featuring the M5 Pro, it does not necessarily mean that this specific model will ship with the aforementioned hardware, but at least we know what Apple’s intentions are.
News Source: Macworld
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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