We are through with the first month of 2026 and all eyes are now on when Apple’s new MacBook Pro will finally arrive. Earlier rumours pointed to a January 28 debut alongside the launch of Apple Creator Studio, but the month passed without any new MacBook announcements. That silence, however, has only fuelled more speculation rather than slowing it down. Fresh reports now suggest that the wait for the new MacBook Pro laptops may not be very long. The upcoming laptops are expected to be powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips and may launch alongside the macOS 26.3 software update. While Apple has not announced anything officially, a mix of software timing, supply shortages and analyst reports is building a strong case that the next generation MacBook Pro is almost ready to step into the spotlight.
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Apple MacBook Pro M5 Pro and M5 Max expected launch date
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple is internally preparing MacBook Pro models that run on the M5 Pro and M5 Max processors during the macOS 26.3 release cycle. This software window is expected to fall between February and March, which is earlier than Apple’s usual spring hardware announcements that often align with later x.4 updates closer to April.
The upcoming MacBook Pro variants are said to carry internal code names J714 and J716. While this timeline has been mentioned in earlier rumours, Gurman’s latest note adds more credibility to the possibility of an early launch. macOS 26.3 itself is expected to roll out to users in the coming weeks, placing the potential hardware debut very close to the software release.
Another indicator comes from retail inventory trends. Higher end configurations of the current M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro models are reportedly running low across several markets. Such supply dips have historically appeared just before Apple introduces refreshed hardware, as the company gradually clears out older stock. Although Apple has not confirmed a date, the combination of software scheduling and shrinking availability suggests that an announcement could happen later this month.
Specs, design expectations and more
The expected MacBook Pro update is likely to focus more on internal upgrades than external design changes. Apple redesigned the MacBook Pro chassis in 2021 and has continued to use the same look across multiple chip generations. Reports indicate that the M5 Pro and M5 Max models will largely retain this design, with only minor cosmetic tweaks or a possible new colour option if Apple decides to add one.
Performance is expected to be the main highlight. The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are rumoured to be built on TSMC’s third generation 3nm process, which could bring efficiency improvements and performance gains estimated between 15 and 25 percent over the M4 series. Stronger GPU output and enhanced AI handling are also anticipated, particularly for professional workloads such as video editing, coding, 3D rendering and machine learning tasks.
Memory and storage options are likely to remain generous, with the M5 Pro expected to support up to 48GB RAM and the M5 Max potentially reaching 128GB alongside storage options that could stretch to 8TB. Connectivity upgrades such as Wi Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and continued Thunderbolt 5 support are also widely expected.
Beyond the MacBook Pro, supply constraints have also been noticed for Apple’s Studio Display, hinting at a possible refresh, though concrete details are still missing. Later in the year, Apple is reportedly preparing a broader wave of products including a new MacBook Air with an M5 chip, updated iPads and the iPhone 17e. There is also talk of a MacBook Pro with touchscreen OLED display being launched later this year. However, since none of these devices have been confirmed by Apple yet, it is wise to take this information with a pinch of salt.
Also read: Five times Apple surprised us with unexpected laptop launches
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Divyanshi Sharma
Divyanshi Sharma is a media and communications professional with over 8 years of experience in the industry. With a strong background in tech journalism, she has covered everything from the latest gadgets to gaming trends and brings a sharp editorial lens to every story. She holds a master’s diploma in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Her love for writing and gaming began early—often skipping classes to try out the latest titles—which naturally evolved into a career at the intersection of technology and storytelling. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her exploring virtual worlds on her console or PC, or testing out a new laptop she managed to get her hands on. View Full Profile
