Apple is gearing up for the next wave of Mac updates with its M5 chip, which is likely to debut in some devices before the end of 2025. Most Mac refreshes, however, are expected in 2026. Here’s a look at the latest rumours and timelines for Apple’s notebook and desktop lineup.
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro could be the first to receive the M5 chip. An unannounced MacBook Pro recently appeared in an FCC leak, while supplies of the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro are already running low.
It’s possible that Apple will update the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro to the M5 this year, with M5 Pro and M5 Max models following in early 2026. Alternatively, all three new models — M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max — could launch together, either late 2025 or early 2026.
MacBook Air
The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with M5 chips are expected in early 2026, likely around March or April, following the M4 MacBook Air release in March 2025.
iMac
The iMac received an M4 chip in October 2024. Its next update could align with the MacBook Pro refresh or the MacBook Air release. Custom iMac configurations are currently delayed until later in October 2025, hinting at a possible upcoming update.
Mac mini
The Mac mini could see an M5 refresh in early 2026. An identifier for a Mac mini with an M5 chip surfaced in August, suggesting a new version is in the works. Unlike other Macs, the Mac mini hasn’t always been updated with new chips — it skipped M3 and M3 Pro — so the timing isn’t certain. Last year’s M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini were released in October.
Mac Studio
The Mac Studio was updated with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips in March 2025. No refresh is expected until M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips are ready, which could be late 2026.
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro still uses the M2 Ultra from 2023 and is due for an update. Earlier reports suggested an M4 Ultra chip with a 32-core CPU and 80-core GPU, but those rumours were later dismissed.
Apple could either refresh the Mac Pro with an M3 Ultra, which seems unlikely since the Mac Studio already received it, or wait for the M5 Ultra chip. Developing the Ultra variants typically takes longer, so a mid-to-late 2026 release seems most realistic.
Other M5 Devices Coming Soon
While most Macs will receive M5 updates in 2026, some Apple devices are expected to launch later this year with the M5 chip. These include a new iPad Pro and a refreshed Vision Pro.
Apple might unveil these devices at an event or through press releases. Other expected product updates before the end of 2025 include:
- HomePod mini
- AirTag 2
- Updated Apple TV
Apple’s M5 chip rollout signals the start of a major refresh for Mac hardware, with high-end models like the Mac Pro likely following last. Users can expect incremental upgrades to notebooks and desktops first, while Ultra-level machines may take longer.
