Apple is finally bringing built-in cellular connectivity to the MacBook Pro, and the latest leak hints that the first 5G-capable model could arrive much sooner than expected.
Discovered in newly uncovered code, this upcoming MacBook Pro will reportedly feature a 5G modem alongside Apple’s next-gen M5 Pro chip, codenamed ‘t6050.’
What’s intriguing is that the code only mentions the M5 Pro, with no sign of the standard M5 or M5 Max. This could mean Apple plans to keep 5G exclusive to one high-end variant-or it could simply be a coincidence. Either way, the move follows years of speculation, especially given that all modern iPads already offer 5G options.
The modem in question, codenamed ‘Centuari’ (C1), is the same one found in the iPhone 16e. While it lacks mmWave support, Apple may have chosen it because most MacBook Pro users will only need sub-6GHz speeds for tasks like cloud syncing, remote work, and light browsing on the go. mmWave’s ultra-fast connections aren’t essential for these scenarios and would add extra cost and complexity.
It’s worth noting that leaks don’t guarantee final product specs. Apple could still change course before launch-but the evidence strongly suggests we’ll see a MacBook Pro with always-on 5G in the near future. And for those who have been tethering their laptops to their phones for years, this could be the quality-of-life upgrade they’ve been waiting for.