Apple’s M5 is already out, leaving the M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra, which are scheduled to launch in the first half of this year. Given that we have crossed the halfway point of the first month of 2026, those wanting to upgrade to the newer MacBook Pro models could have some positive news coming in their direction because some top-tier current-generation configurations featuring the M4 Max now have a two-month waiting period. If that doesn’t tell you that Apple is getting rid of the old stock to make way for its new chipsets, then we don’t know what will.
Only the maxed-out 14-inch M4 Max MacBook Pro is seeing an eight-week waiting period; 16-inch machine with a similar configuration can be delivered much earlier
If you visit Apple’s online store and begin configuring the company’s current-generation 14-inch MacBook Pro models equipped with the M4 Max, you’ll notice that the delivery dates are between March 10 and March 17, but that is only if you select the 128GB unified RAM version. However, if you choose any 64GB unified RAM configuration, you’ll likely stumble upon delivery dates of February 13 and February 30.
While the March dates could indicate that Apple already pre-produced the higher memory configurations in fewer quantities, the ongoing DRAM shortage may also be contributing to the longer wait times. Then again, keep in mind that Apple announced its M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro models back in January 2023, so there’s a high chance we will witness the arrival of M5 Pro and M5 Max versions in the coming days.
M5 Pro & M5 Max potential performance capabilities
While the exact specifications of the M5 Pro and M5 Max aren’t available at this time, based on previous Apple Silicon launches, there have been estimated performance figures shared of the chipsets. For instance, the top-end M5 Max is said to outperform the laptop version of NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 Ti in some games while running circles around the M4 Max. Additionally, the 40-core GPU belonging to the M5 Max is estimated to be faster than the M3 Ultra’s 80-core configuration when running Geekbench 6 Metal. In short, there’s a lot to be excited about these releases, and we will keep readers updated when that launch transpires, so stay tuned.
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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