The Apple M5 chip jumped from rumor to reality Wednesday with the launch of MacBook Pro and iPad Pro models running the new cutting-edge processor. But so far, there’s been no official mention of an M5 Mac mini, M5 MacBook Air, M5 Studio or M5 iMac.
Here’s when the next generations of these Macs are rumored to reach customers, along with the probable launch dates of the M5 Pro and M5 Max versions of the MacBook Pro.
When to expect M5 MacBooks and desktops
The new M5 chip offers a 15% boost in CPU speed over the M4, and its enhanced GPU upgrades graphics and artificial intelligence performance.
“M5 is ideal for visually intensive applications and gaming,” says Apple. Plus, Apple embedded a dedicated Neural Accelerator into each of the processor’s 10 GPU cores. The result is artificial intelligence performance that’s up to 3.5x faster than an M4.
The chip debuted in upgraded MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro models that can be preordered now and hit store shelves on October 22. But these all use the base version of the M5 chip. None can be configured with the M5 Pro or M5 Max. There has not even been an official mention of the faster variants of the processor yet.
When to expect the release date for the:
MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max release date
The M5 MacBook Pro introduced Wednesday is the new base model. The only option is a 14-inch screen, and as noted, it’s available only with the base M5 chip.
Those holding out for the M5 Pro and M5 Max variants will need to remain patient for several months. A MacBook Pro upgrade with the more powerful versions of the chip isn’t coming until early 2026, according to a recent rumor.
M5 MacBook Air release date
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
The MacBook Air is hugely popular, so it’s no surprise that many people are looking forward to an M5 version. While that eagerness isn’t unexpected, the upgrade isn’t likely to arrive before 2026. The current M4 version debuted in March 2025. Based on long-held habits, Apple won’t introduce a replacement until close to a year later.
The 13-inch and 15-inch variants of the M5 MacBook Air reportedly have the model numbers J813 and J815. Look for them in early 2026 — perhaps in January or February — along with macOS Tahoe 26.2, according to one rumor. Or they might not land until spring, according to another.
Rumors indicate a “chip and ship” update, with no redesign expected.
M5 Mac mini release date
When the M4 Mac mini launched in October 2024, it brought more than a new processor. The desktop ushered in a radical redesign that shrank the computer into an almost palm-size casing. A year later, some shoppers wonder when to expect the M5 version.
Two Mac mini models with the code names J873g and J873s are reportedly in testing, supposedly with M5 or M5 Pro processors. That likely explains why the tiny desktop isn’t out yet: It’s waiting on the M5 Pro. It will launch running macOS Tahoe 26.4 in spring 2026, perhaps as early as March, according to a recent leak.
Just don’t expect a redesign. Not after the major revamp last year. This will be another “chip and ship” update.
M5 Mac Studio release date
Apple’s most recent version of the powerful Mac Studio desktop arrived in March 2025, running either an M4 Max or an M3 Ultra processor.
There are replacement variants code-named J775c and J775d reportedly in development in Cupertino, but little is known about them at this point. That’s not surprising considering the M5 Mac Studio isn’t expected before summer 2026.
Apple doesn’t follow a consistent pattern with its Mac Studio line. The original version ran an M1 Max or an M1 Ultra processor. The second offered M2 Max and M2 Ultra variants, but the third model skipped the M3 Max and went with M4 Max and M3 Ultra variants.
So an M5 Max version seems likely, but will the other 2026 variant be an M4 Ultra? An M5 Ultra? It’s unknown.
M5 iMac release date
At this point, an M5 iMac is little more than speculation. It hasn’t been the subject of any solid rumors.
It’s possible there won‘t be one. In previous years, Apple released versions with an M1, an M3 and an M4 processor, so the company doesn’t have problems skipping processor generations. Or perhaps the M5 iMac will appear in future rumors to solidify its existence.
