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Leaked macOS code and other sightings suggest Apple could announce an M5 MacBook Pro before the year ends — but the higher-powered M5 Pro and M5 Max configurations may not arrive until early 2026. Here’s what the latest traces in macOS Tahoe, FCC filings, and teardown chatter reveal for buyers and Mac fans.
Signs point to an October reveal — but it’s complicated
Developers poking through macOS Tahoe (version 26.0.2) found a device entry with the identifier J704, a naming pattern that matches how Apple referenced prior MacBook Pro models (for example, the M4 MacBook Pro used J604). That discovery, reported alongside an M5 iPad Pro unboxing and fresh FCC listings, makes a persuasive case that Apple is preparing a new M5-powered portable Mac.
Stock movement also tells a story: inventory for M4 MacBook Pro units appears to be tapering, which often precedes a refresh. Early benchmark leaks and chip notes point to modest but meaningful upgrades — especially on the GPU side — even if some CPU details remain murky.
What the M5 brings (and what’s still unclear)
Rumors suggest the M5 improves graphics performance noticeably over the M4. One leaked spec comparison mentions the M5 now carries 6MB of L2 cache versus 4MB on the M4, a change that could boost certain workloads. However, details vary: earlier iPad Pro leaks hinted at a similar Apple Silicon design with a 9‑core CPU, while the base M4 MacBook Pro had a 10‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU, so Apple’s final configurations remain uncertain.
- Likely gains: better GPU performance and larger L2 cache.
- Unclear: whether the base M5 MacBook Pro will mirror the exact core counts seen in leaks.
- Supporting evidence: macOS Tahoe entries, FCC filings, and decreasing M4 inventory.
Why M5 Pro and M5 Max owners will wait
The leak gets disappointing for power users. macOS Tahoe code also contains entries for identifiers J714 and J716, which analysts tie to 14‑inch and 16‑inch machines using the beefier M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. According to the trace, those models are slated to appear with macOS Tahoe 26.3 — a build that, by Apple’s cadence, is more likely to arrive in early 2026.
Several theories attempt to explain the staggered rollout. YouTuber Vadim Yuryev and other insiders suggest Apple may be switching to a new chip architecture that separates CPU and GPU blocks, giving customers more flexibility to pick CPU and GPU core counts. Another plausible factor is a manufacturing shift: reports indicate Apple could move the M5 Pro and M5 Max to TSMC’s SoIC‑MH multi‑chip packaging, which may complicate timing.
Practical takeaway for buyers
If you need a new MacBook Pro now and value immediate availability, the M4 models remain solid performers. But if you prioritize future‑proofed graphics power or need the absolute best CPU/GPU mix, it may be worth waiting a few months for the M5 Pro/Max refresh — assuming Apple sticks to the current timeline suggested by the macOS Tahoe leak.
We’ll monitor further code drops, FCC updates, and supply-chain signals and update readers as new confirmations emerge.
Source: wccftech
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