New MacBook Pro models are expected to launch later this year with Apple’s new M5 series chips (image source: Notebookcheck)
Apple Insider has revealed what Apple has in store for us in 2025 and 2026. The company’s 2025 lineup will primarily feature incremental changes, with an M5 chip at the helm, while some major upgrades are reserved for the M6 lineup.
An earlier roadmap confirmed that Apple had already begun working on its future M series chips. They will be launched annually at this point. However, this year the Apple M5 will debut with a MacBook and not an iPad Pro. Apple Insider has revealed what Cupertino will be releasing later this year. Apple M5 will be used in many devices by the second half 2025.
The MacBook Pro comes with an M5, a M5 Pro, and a M5 Max. Next, an Apple M5 powered iMac is positioned next to a Mac Mini that has an M5 Pro and M5. In essence, everything launched in 2024 will get an M5 update. The M5 and likely the M5 Pro, M5 Max will be produced on TSMC’s node N3P. The new iPad Pro, which has already entered mass production, is conspicuously absent from the lineup.
However, the M5 Pro and M5 Max will use TSMC’s System-in-Integrated-Chips-Moulding-Horizontal (SoIC-mH) packaging, which will allow Apple to separate the CPU and GPU for better performance and thermal management. The Mac Pro will also receive an update, which is much needed, but it’s unclear what chip will power it.
According to the Mac Studio, the Apple M3 Ultra could be the M4 Ultra (codename Hidra), which has yet to be announced and was mentioned in the roadmap last year. The MacBook Air will not receive an M5 update until 2026, just like its predecessor. Apple Insider also confirmed that the previously rumoured A18 Pro MacBook Air is real.
The Apple M6 lineup is starting to get interesting. It could be the first M series chip to have an integrated 5G module. It remains to be determined if it will be Apple’s own C1. A tandem OLED display, similar to that found on the iPad Pro lineup currently, is another upgrade for the MacBook Pro line. However, at least one report suggests the opposite.
Apple M6, M6 Max, and M6 Pro will be available in the second half of 2026. It is said that it will be manufactured using TSMC’s 2 nm N2 node. TSMC N2 was the first node that used Nanosheet transistors (also known by the name GAAFET), paving the path for a noticeable improvement in performance and thermal efficiency.
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Anil Ganti – Senior Tech Writer Since the age of 8, I’ve been a PC gamer. I was first attracted to tech by my passion for gaming. At the age of 19, I received my first writing job. I have a degree from the mechanical engineering department and have worked for a few publications, including Wccftech, before joining Notebookcheck. I cover a wide range of topics, including gaming, smartphones, and computer hardware.
