Apple MacBook Pro M5 release date, price, and upgrades
MacBook Pro for illustrative purposes. | Image by Apple
MacBook Pro with M5 chip: what to expect
What's expected to change vs the MacBook Pro M4 Pro:
- Apple already announced the M5 MacBook Pro, but we're still waiting on the M5 Pro and M5 Max-powered models from the lineup
- Existing design is expected to be retained
- Architectural improvements with modular CPU and GPU blocks expected
- Rumored 25-30% performance increase compared to M4 Pro and M4 Max
- No significant camera upgrades expected
Expected release timeline:
- The M5 Pro and M5 Max powered MacBook Pro models are expected to come sometime in early 2026.
- The regular M5-powered MacBook Pro model was announced on October 15, 2025.
Expected price:
- M5 Pro model would likely start at $2,499 for the 14-inch version, while the 16-inch model would go for $2,899.
- M5 Max model, on the other hand, is expected to start at $3,499 for the 14-inch version and $3,999 for the 16-inch version.
MacBook Pro M5 models release date
A 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M5 chip was released on October 15. Still, we expect more 14-inch and 16-inch models to be unveiled later on with the beefier M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max | March 2026* | March 2026* |
| MacBook Pro with M5 | October 15, 2025 | Octber 22, 2025 |
| MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and M4 Max | October 30, 2024 | November 8, 2024 |
| MacBook Pro with M4 | October 30, 2024 | November 8, 2024 |
*Probable dates
Numerous reports from distinguished analysts like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo say that the MacBook Pro M5 will likely see the light of day in early 2026. Well, they did not really nail the announcement of the first MacBook laptop, but what if their predictions are for the more powerful, proper Pro versions of Apple's best laptop? An early 2026 release of an M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro versions would make perfect sense.
Apple is now readying for a new product release, as indicated by reports. However, we are likely not going to see the Pro-branded MacBook models this time, rather, it may be focused on the iPhone 17e and new MacBook Air.
The M5-powered MacBook Pro hit the shelves on October 22.
MacBook Pro M5 price
Prices for the new 14-inch version with M5 start at $1,599 (that's the entry-level 16GB/512GB version). With the 16GB/1TB version, expect to pay $1,799, while the top model with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage will cost you $1,999.
| MacBook Pro model | 14-inch, starting price | 16-inch, starting price |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro with M5 Pro chip | $1,999* | $2,499* |
| MacBook Pro with M5 Max chip | $3,199* | $3,499* |
| MacBook Pro with M5 chip | $1,599 | - |
| MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip | $1,999 | $2,499 |
| MacBook Pro with M4 Max chip | $3,199 | $3,499 |
*Expected prices
Now, regarding the upcoming models with the M5 Pro chip, the 14-inch model would most likely start at up to $1,999, while the 16-inch model would go for $2,499.
Finally, the M5 Max will surely elevate the prices to $3,199 for the 14-inch model and up to a staggering $3,499 for the 16-inch model.
Of course, choosing different memory and storage combinations will make these prices fluctuate. Possibly, Apple will stop selling the M4 Pro and M4 Max models when the M5 Pro and Max models come out.
Design and ports
There aren't any changes to the MacBook Pro design language, at least in the new M5 version, and we doubt the M5 Pro or M5 Max ones will feature any changes either. .
Apple is saving its MacBook Pro redesign for the future MacBook Pro M6 generation, which could be out in late 2026 or early 2027, so the upcoming M5 flavor of its powerful laptop range is not getting any aesthetic changes. In fact, we'd be actually surprised if we see any differences save for possibly a new color option on the upcoming device.
The MacBook Pro will still utilize the well-known slab design language with flat frames and slightly rounded edges and corners here and there. Honestly, it's a design language that does need an introduction or any significant change: it's perfectly adequate as it is right now.
Apple isn't changing the design language anytime soon (Image Credit-Apple)
The device will definitely be available in two size flavors: 14-inch and 16-inch ones.
Due to the lack of any design changes, we are certain that the laptop will most probably retain its usual dimensions. We expect the smaller-sized and more compact 14-incher to measure 31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55 cm and weigh 1.6 kg, whereas the beefier 16-inch model will surely measure 35.57 x 24.81 x 1.68 cm and will possibly tip the scales at 2.14 kg.
Apple better not touch the scissor-style keyboard mechanism that it has employed ever since the butterfly keyboard fiasco years ago. The keyboard will remain a 78/79-button QWERTY with a Touch ID embedded in the power button.
The MacBook Pro keyboard is a joy to type on (Image Credit-Apple)
We love the current iteration of the MacBook Pro keyboard, which is very comfortable to type on, all things considered. Sure, you might have a $400 mechanical keyboard with custom switches that's subjectively better, but for what it is, the MacBook Pro keyboard is among its strengths.
The large and super-useful capacitive trackpad is yet another highlight of the MacBook Pro that's definitely staying. If Apple is eyeing any updates to that, they'll possibly be on the inside.
Color-wise, we do hope that Apple spices things up with a new MacBook Pro color with the M5 generation. We know, we know, a laptop is not a fashion statement, and the usual Space Black and Silver blend well into the professional scene, but a slightly more colorful new paint job option would be appreciated by many.
Ports
In terms of ports, we don't expect Apple to add any extra ones, but we also don't really expect the company to remove any ports either.
That's mostly fine, as the current port selection on the MacBook Pro M5 is pretty decent in comparison with the more affordable MacBook Air, but of course many Windows-powered rivals offer an even more flexible selection in terms of I/O connections.
The MacBook Pro with M4, released roughly a year ago, kept the formula unchanged. On the left-hand side, we will get the MagSafe 3 port dedicated for charging, dual USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
(Image Credit-Apple)
On the right-hand side, we will likely get the dedicated HDMI port, another Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, and an SDXC card slot.
(Image Credit-Apple)
A pretty decent selection that elevates the current MacBook Pro above and beyond the MacBook Pro units from a decade ago, which were dropping ports in the pursuit of thinness.
Display
As we mentioned, no big upgrade is coming to the MacBook Pro M5 lineup.
It will use the same mini-LED display, the more sophisticated and feature-rich version of IPS LCD which utilizes thousands of different backlight areas that help it achieve great color vividness and significantly better contrast than regular LCDs.
And get this: without bragging about it during a keynote or a press release, Apple has reportedly given the MacBook Pro with M4 a quantum-dot display, which perfected the color gamut and gave it a smoother ProMotion performance in comparison with older MacBook Pro models with a mini-LED panel.
Display sizes will remain 14.2-inch and 16.2-inch, with 2880 by 1864 and 3024 by 1964-pixel resolutions, respectively. Both will be able to hit 1,600 nits of brightness in HDR mode and 1,000 nits in SDR mode. Both will have smooth ProMotion, of course.
| MacBook Pro M5 | MacBook Pro M4 |
|---|---|
| Peak brightness 1,000 nits SDR 1,000 nits XDR sustained 1,600 nits HDR | Peak brightness 1,000 nits SDR 1,000 nits XDR sustained 1,600 nits HDR |
| Display technology mini-LED | Display technology mini-LED |
| Display refresh rate 120Hz | Display refresh rate 120Hz ProMotion |
| Display Size 14.2-inch 16.2-inch | Display Size 14.2-inch 16.2-inch |
| Display resolution 3024 x 1964 (14") 2880 x 1864 (16") | Display resolution 3024 x 1964 (14") 2880 x 1864 (16") |
Performance and Memory
The big upgrade with the MacBook Pro M5 is the 3nm chipset inside.
The most basic one gets the base M5 chip, which will be at the bottom of the performance charts. Pro users be intrigued by the more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which will offer higher CPU and GPU core counts and therefore better performance.
The base M5 will likely be available only in a 14-inch version; you probably won't be able to get the larger 16-inch model with the base chipset.
All new chips will be built on the ARMv9 instruction set on a 3nm technology by TSMC. They will certainly reiterate a 16-core Neural Engine for AI.
The big upgrade about the M5 could be a new server-grade SoIC packaging (TSMC's 3D stacking and hybrid wafer bonding tech), which would improve production yields and allow Apple to use separate CPU and GPU designs. This would potentially provide big improvements to the graphics performance, as it will allow the GPU to be decoupled from the unified memory and use its own memory pool.
The SoIC packaging also promises better thermal management, which is always welcome, even though the MacBook Pro has always been actively cooled.
| MacBook Pro 14" M5 | MacBook Pro 14"/16" M5 Pro | MacBook Pro 14"/16" M5 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Memory* 16GB 24GB 32GB | Memory* 24GB 48GB (/w 16-core CPU) | Memory* 24GB 36GB (w/ 14-core CPU) 48GB (w/ 16-core CPU) 64GB (w/ 16-core CPU) 128GB (w/ 16-core CPU) |
| Storage* 512GB 1TB 2TB | Storage* 512GB 1TB 2TB 4TB | Storage* 1TB 2TB 4TB 8TB |
In terms of memory, we expect the MacBook Pro M5 to start with 16GB of RAM in the base M5 chip version, but getting the M5 Pro and the M5 Max will likely open up the floodgates to 24GB at the bare minimum and up to 128GB of RAM in the most spiced-up version of the upcoming MacBook Pro (which will surely cost a pretty penny).
Storage-wise, we expect 512GB as the bare minimum, and up to 8TB in the souped up 16-inch M5 Max variant.
Software
The laptop will definitely come with macOS 26 Tahoe, which delivers the blessing (or the curse, depending on the perspective) of Liquid Glass to the MacBook lineup. With a universal and cohesive design language that is shared between macOS, iOS, watchOS, and visionOS, Liquid Glass delivers more than a simple redesign. It is a sign that Apple aims to bolster the draw of its ecosystem, starting with the aesthetics.
Aside from the new looks, Tahoe also gives us Live Activities on the Mac, allows for Control Center customization, folder customization with symbols, emoji, and colors, the Phone and Games apps, a new icon tinting option, Shortcuts automations, Metal 4 support, and last but absolutely not least, enhanced Spotlight Search, which doubles as an app launcher.
However, Tahoe also sunsets the LaunchPad. If you've been a devoted fan of it, bad luck for you.
Battery and charging
Due to the lack of a new design, it's unlikely we'd get larger batteries inside the MacBook Pro, so their figures will possibly remain the same as on the M4 and all previous Apple Silicon MacBook Pro laptops.
However, the M5 family of chips will likely be faster and therefore more efficient, so we might potentially see a battery life bump.
| Apple MacBook Pro M5 |
|---|
| Battery size* 100Wh (16-inch M5 Pro/M5 Max) 72.4Wh (14-inch M5/M5 Pro/M5 Max) |
| Battery life (web)* Up to 17 hours (16" M5 Pro) Up to 14 hours (16" M5 Max) Up to 13 hours (14" M5 Max) Up to 14 hours (14" M5 Pro) Up to 16 hours (14" M5) |
| Battery life (video)* Up to 24 hours (16" M5 Pro) Up to 21 hours (16" M5 Max) Up to 24 hours (14" M5 Max) Up to 22 hours (14" M5 Pro) Up to 24 hours (14" M5) |
| Charging* MagSafe 3 Fast charghing with 70W+ wall adapter (14" M5) Fast charging with 96W wall adapter (14" M5 Pro/M5 Max) Fast charging with 140W wall adapter (16" M5 Pro/M5 Max) |
*-estimated figures
Charging-wise, we're certain that MagSafe 3 will take care of the charging, freeing up one USB-C port. The MacBook Pro M5 models will come with at least a 70W USB-C wall adapter in the box and will also fast charge if connected to a 96W+ wall adapter. We expect more powerful 96W/140W chargers to be available for the higher-tier M5 Pro/M5 Max models.
Do keep in mind that the new M5 MacBook Pro doesn't come with a charger in Europe.
Should you wait for the MacBook Pro M5?
- You should wait for the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and Max if you want the ultimate power experience from a MacBook Pro model that Apple can offer in 2026.
- You should not wait for the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and Max if you are currently rocking an M4 Pro or Max-powered MacBook Pro. The bigger upgrade for you could come with the M6 release next year.
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