Apple is taking around eight weeks to deliver its higher unified RAM configurations to customers, but that doesn’t appear to be a solid confirmation that the company’s new M5 Pro and M5 Max chipset launches are around the corner. Where we were under the assumption that the Cupertino firm would introduce its updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models to the masses, a fresh report continues to prattle that the machines are expected to launch in the first half of 2026.
The last time Apple unveiled its higher-end chipsets for the MacBook Pro family was back in 2023, when the M2 Pro and M2 Max were announced
A new addition to Mark Gurman’s ‘Power On’ newsletter provides Apple’s Mac launch schedule for 2026. In the first half of the year, we will be greeted by the M5 Pro and M5 Max, which will be found in refreshed versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro series. We doubt there will be significant changes to these portable Macs, though we expect Apple to incorporate internal upgrades similar to those in the M5 MacBook Pro, such as increased SSD read and write speeds, not to mention a significant gaming boost in games in Cyberpunk 2077.
One chipset design change that we’re looking forward to from the M5 Pro and M5 Max is the adoption of SoIC-MH packaging (Small Outline Integrated Circuit Molding-Horizontal), which, in a nutshell, means that the chipsets could have separate CPU and GPU blocks, allowing for unique configurations while also helping to reduce those insanely high temperatures. If you remember, the M5 could get incredibly hot, reaching 99 degrees when taxed, and that is due to a measly single heatpipe configuration that’s used to cool the chipset.
The M4 Max, which can consume 212W when both CPU and GPU are stressed, cannot be tamed by such an inadequate heatsink, and given that the M5 Max will likely be treated to the same solution, Apple’s improvisation arrives in the form of a package redesign. In addition to the M5 Pro and M5 Max, the company is reportedly preparing an M5 Ultra for a Mac Studio refresh, with the Mac Pro apparently being written off, suggesting that Apple intends to discontinue it sometime in the near future.
News Source: Bloomberg
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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