Skipping the New MacBook Pro? Here Are the Rumors About M5 Models

The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips launched in stores today. If you are not planning to upgrade this year, be aware that there are already rumors about next year's MacBook Pro models with M5 series chips.

Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero
It appears the MacBook Pro will remain on an annual upgrade cycle next year. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said camera module shipments for MacBook Pro models with M5 series chips will begin in 2025, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also recently said MacBook Pro models with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips will launch next year. In fact, he said Apple's development of those chips was already near completion.

MacBook Pro announcement dates:

  • M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max models: October 30, 2024
  • M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max models: October 30, 2023
  • M2 Pro and M2 Max models: January 17, 2023 (it has been rumored that this launch was initially planned for October 2022)
  • M1 Pro and M1 Max models: October 18, 2021

Gurman believes the MacBook Pro will not receive any major design changes next year, with bigger changes like an OLED display and a thinner design rumored for 2026. The last major redesign to the MacBook Pro line occurred in 2021.

All in all, expect the MacBook Pro to receive yet another modest spec bump with performance improvements and other internal upgrades next year, and start saving your money for the two-generations-away models with a "total redesign."

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 and iOS 27 Features Revealed in New Leak

Friday December 12, 2025 10:56 am PST by
Macworld's Filipe Espósito today revealed a handful of features that Apple is allegedly planning for iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and even iOS 28. The report said the features are referenced within the code for a leaked internal build of iOS 26 that is not meant to be seen by the public. However, it appears that Espósito and/or his sources managed to gain access to it, providing us with a sneak peek...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Coming Soon With These 8 New Features on Your iPhone

Thursday December 11, 2025 8:49 am PST by
Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon. Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week. iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.2 With Alarms for Reminders, Lock Screen Changes, Enhanced Safety Alerts and More

Friday December 12, 2025 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.2, the second major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.2 comes a little over a month after iOS 26.1 launched. ‌iOS 26‌.2 is compatible with the ‌iPhone‌ 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings >...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3

Thursday December 11, 2025 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3 and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B30, up from 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 firmware is 8B28, up from 8B21. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are getting expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS...
macOS Tahoe 26 Thumb

Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.2 With Edge Light

Friday December 12, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.2, the second major update to the macOS Tahoe operating system that came out in September. macOS Tahoe 26.2 comes five weeks after Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.1. Mac users can download the macOS Tahoe update by using the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS Tahoe 26.2 includes Edge Light, a feature that illuminates your face with soft...
AirTag 2 Mock Feature

Apple AirTag 2: Four New Features Found in iOS 26 Code

Thursday December 11, 2025 10:31 am PST by
The AirTag 2 will include a handful of new features that will improve tracking capabilities, according to a new report from Macworld. The site says that it was able to access an internal build of iOS 26, which includes references to multiple unreleased products. Here's what's supposedly coming: An improved pairing process, though no details were provided. AirTag pairing is already...
ipados 26 1 slide over

Apple Releases iPadOS 26.2 With Multitasking Improvements

Friday December 12, 2025 10:09 am PST by
Apple today released iPadOS 26.2, the second major update to the iPadOS 26 operating system released in September. iPadOS 26.2 comes a month after iPadOS 26.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. iPadOS 26.2 continues with the multitasking improvements that were added with iPadOS 26.1. You can now drag and...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Update Now: iOS 26.2 Fixes 20+ Security Vulnerabilities

Friday December 12, 2025 11:11 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and macOS 26.2, all of which introduce new features, bug fixes, and security improvements. Apple says that the updates address over 20 vulnerabilities, including two bugs that are known to have been actively exploited. There are a pair of WebKit vulnerabilities that could allow maliciously crafted web content to execute code or cause memory...

Top Rated Comments

Bokito Avatar
14 months ago
I hope the MacBook Pro doesn’t get any thinner. We have seen the compromises Apple had to make before. A thinner MacBook Pro would compromise speed, speakers, keyboard or battery life. The current MacBook Pro is slim enough. If you don’t need the power of a MacBook Pro, you can buy an Air.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eric_WVGG Avatar
14 months ago

Do people think an OLED screen in a macbook is worth it? mini-LED is quite good and I kind of worry about burn in.
Yeah I personally find the Mini-LED more than good enough. I forget about the light blooming altogether. OLED is definitely a "want" not a "need".
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
14 months ago

People skip upgrading to newer Mac models but upgrade their iPhone yearly although not all does this but still...
Some people upgrade their phone yearly. I'm on a 16 Pro now - my previous phone was an iPhone 8. My Mac is an M1 Max MBP and I'm quite happy with it and expect to be using it for years to come - my previous Mac was ancient.

The yearly upgrade rollercoaster is stupid and wasteful (plus we get all these people saying "I see no compelling reason to upgrade from my 15 Pro to the 16 Pro!!1!", like that's a tragedy - no, that's how it's supposed to be). Upgrade when the previous one breaks irreparably or no longer meets your needs, not because you need to be seen with the latest toy.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VisceralRealist Avatar
14 months ago

People skip upgrading to newer Mac models but upgrade their iPhone yearly although not all does this but still...
Well, one is a lot more expensive than the other...

Personally, I doubt I will upgrade until there is a design change. Spec bump isn't enough.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ls1dreams Avatar
14 months ago
Do people think an OLED screen in a macbook is worth it? mini-LED is quite good and I kind of worry about burn in.

I'm on an M1 Max and will prob pick up a machine somewhere in the M6-M7 range I think. Definitely at least waiting for wi-fi 7 and curious what new AI capabilities might come out.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mitthrawnuruodo Avatar
14 months ago

Gurman believes the MacBook Pro will not receive any major design changes next year, with bigger changes like an OLED display and a thinner design rumored for 2026 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/11/03/future-macbook-pro-rumors/'). The last major redesign to the MacBook Pro line occurred in 2021.
In 2026 my MacBook Air M1 will be 6 years old.

I have a feeling it will still do all I want and need from a computer, but..., that might be the year when the temptation to upgrade overpowers common sense... :p
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)