Rumours about Apple’s upcoming MacBook with the yet-to-be-unveiled M5 chip have been doing rounds for a long time. Earlier, it was being reported that the new MacBooks will be unveiled this month (October 2025). However, shortly after that, reports of a delay had surfaced. Now, as per latest rumours, we might get to see the new MacBooks this year after all. But, there is a catch.
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According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, supplies of the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro have tightened significantly, with several custom configurations now showing delayed shipping dates extending up to October 23–28. The timing has sparked fresh speculations that Apple could unveil a new M5-powered MacBook Pro later this month – barely five months after introducing the M4 chip.
While both 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models featuring the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are still available for delivery between October 15–20, it’s the base 14-inch M4 variant that’s unusually constrained. The absence of express shipping and widening delays have led analysts to believe that Apple might be preparing to phase it out in favour of an upgraded model powered by the next-generation M5 chip.
Apple’s supply patterns often hint at what’s coming next, and this one fits a familiar pattern. Reports suggest the company could introduce a refreshed 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro as early as October, with higher-end M5 Pro and M5 Max variants following in early 2026. This approach would mirror Apple’s staggered rollout strategy from previous years. For the unversed, the M2 Pro and M2 Max debuted in January 2023, followed by the M3 lineup that arrived just nine months later in October 2023.
Adding to the speculation, a recent FCC filing revealed a single MacBook Pro model number instead of multiple listings for different chip or size configurations. That’s an unusual move for Apple, which typically files separate entries for each variant. This could suggest that Apple is indeed planning to split the M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max launches across different timelines.
The M5 chip is expected to continue Apple’s focus on performance-per-watt efficiency, potentially bringing stronger AI acceleration, faster memory bandwidth, and enhanced GPU performance. If the M5 MacBook Pro launches this October, it could arrive alongside the M5 iPad Pro and possibly updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, as rumoured by multiple sources.
However, it’s worth noting that no major design changes are expected. Much like the 2023 “Scary Fast” event, where Apple quietly rolled out new MacBook Pro and iMac models with M3 chips, this year’s refresh could also come via a short online event or even a press release drop.
That, however, would mark a departure from Apple’s usual strategy. The company has traditionally reserved full launch events for its next-number chip announcements – M1, M2, M3, and M4 all debuted with dedicated showcases. If the M5 chip does indeed arrive via a press release, it would be the first of its kind.
For now, all signs point toward an October reveal for the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro. Whether it’s a full-fledged event or a low-key announcement, Apple appears ready to push its silicon roadmap forward yet again.
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