Apple Nears Mass Production of M5 MacBook Pros and New Studio Display

Key Takeaways:

Upcoming M5 MacBook Models in Production: Apple’s new M5-powered MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models are entering mass production, indicating a launch could occur soon, with the MacBook Pro being the last to keep the current design before switching to OLED displays.
New External Displays in Development: Alongside the laptops, Apple is developing at least two new external monitors, including an updated Studio Display, based on code leaks and testing, ready to complement the new hardware lineup.
Potential Delay of M5 MacBook Pro Launch to 2026: Apple may delay the release of the M5 MacBook Pro until early 2026 to avoid market cannibalization, favoring holiday sales of the M4 models, and leveraging the M4 Max’s strong performance.
Technological Advancements in M5 Chip: The M5 chip is expected to use TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process, offering improved efficiency and performance, aligning with the upcoming A19 and A19 Pro chips for iPhones.
Broader 2026 Apple Hardware Roadmap: Apple’s 2026 plans include new iPad Pro, Vision Pro, Apple TV, HomePod mini, iPhone 17e, and updates to iPads, with a focus on clearer product distinctions, especially in the iPhone lineup.

Apple’s next big wave of hardware is getting close. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is moving its M5-powered MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models into mass production, alongside at least one refreshed Studio Display. These launches are expected between late 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, putting Apple on track for another packed release cycle.

M5 MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, and New Displays Enter Mass Production

The new MacBook Pro models, codenamed J714 and J716, will be the first to arrive, followed by the M5 MacBook Air in both 13-inch and 15-inch sizes (J813 and J815). Gurman says these machines are already at a key production stage, which usually signals a launch not too far off. Interestingly, the M5 MacBook Pro is expected to be the last model with the current design, before Apple moves the lineup to OLED displays in the future.

Alongside these laptops, two new external monitors are in development (J427 and J527) with one widely believed to be an updated Studio Display. Details remain slim, but code leaks have already pointed to these models in testing.

Apple May Delay M5 MacBook Pro Launch to 2026

Apple typically launches new Macs in October or November, but Gurman’s latest note suggests things might play out differently this time. The company only introduced the M4 MacBook Pro lineup on October 30, 2024, so rushing out another version could undercut sales. Instead, Apple may wait until January or Q1 2026, giving holiday discounts on the M4 models time to clear inventory. This also makes sense since the M4 Max still benchmarks higher than Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme, proving Apple’s current lineup remains competitive.

Your Complete iOS 26 Playbook:

Get our exclusive Ultimate iOS 26 Guide 📚 — absolutely FREE when you sign up for our newsletter below.

As for the M5 chip itself, it’s expected to use TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process, similar to the upcoming A19 and A19 Pro chips for iPhone, promising better efficiency and performance gains.

Apple’s 2026 Hardware Roadmap: iPhone 17e, iPads, and More

The M5 laptops and Studio Display aren’t the only things on Apple’s calendar. Gurman also reports that a new M5-powered iPad Pro, a refreshed Vision Pro, and updates to Apple TV and HomePod mini are on the way. Looking into early 2026, Apple plans to introduce the iPhone 17e, a budget iPad, and a new iPad Air with M4. The iPhone 17 lineup, in particular, will see clearer separation, with the standard iPhone 17 offering more significant upgrades over the cheaper 17e.