M5 MacBook Pro Tipped For October Launch – But M5 Pro and Max May Come Later

Apple’s next-generation M5 MacBook Pro could make its grand debut before the end of October, if recent leaks and code discoveries are to be believed. While fans of the brand have been eagerly waiting for signs of a new MacBook refresh, the appearance of an unreleased Mac in Apple’s own macOS Tahoe codebase has sparked serious anticipation – though not without a dose of disappointment for those eyeing the most powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max versions.

The discovery of a machine labeled J704 in the latest macOS 26.0.2 build strongly suggests that Apple’s M5 MacBook Pro is ready for an imminent reveal.

For comparison, the previous M4 MacBook Pro carried the identifier J604, lending further credibility to this finding. Reports from AppleInsider claim that this new entry almost certainly refers to the base M5 model, hinting that Apple’s MacBook lineup refresh could land later this month.

Adding fuel to the speculation, the M5 MacBook Pro also appeared in FCC filings, indicating that certification is already underway. The timing aligns perfectly with dwindling stocks of the M4 lineup, a typical sign that Apple is clearing inventory ahead of a product launch. Insiders familiar with the Cupertino company’s release cycles note that Apple tends to follow a quiet, strategic pattern before unveiling major Mac updates.

Performance-wise, early leaks and comparisons paint an interesting picture. While the M5 chip seems to maintain a similar 9-core CPU design as its predecessor, the GPU gains appear more substantial. The chip reportedly upgrades its L2 cache from 4MB to 6MB, boosting efficiency and gaming performance. However, there’s a twist: it’s not confirmed whether the MacBook Pro variant will ship with the same configuration seen in the leaked iPad Pro M5 benchmarks. The previous M4 Pro, after all, offered a 10-core CPU and GPU setup, giving professionals serious power.

For users demanding extra muscle, the news is bittersweet. The more advanced M5 Pro and M5 Max variants are apparently scheduled for a later release. Code references show two distinct identifiers – J714 and J716 – likely tied to the 14-inch and 16-inch versions. These machines are expected to run macOS Tahoe 26.3, meaning they may arrive in early 2025, missing the October launch window. Apple’s usual timeline supports this: macOS 15.3 rolled out in January 2025, and similar delays could apply here.

Why the hold-up? Industry observers, including YouTuber Vadim Yuryev, speculate that Apple’s delay may be connected to a new chip design philosophy. The M5 Pro and Max are rumored to adopt an innovative architecture that physically separates CPU and GPU blocks, allowing Apple to customize compute and graphics cores more flexibly for different devices. This modular approach could make future chips far more scalable across Mac, iPad, and possibly even Vision Pro hardware.

Moreover, whispers from the supply chain indicate Apple is transitioning to TSMC’s SoIC-MH packaging technology for these premium variants. This move is expected to improve thermal performance and energy efficiency, but it might have required additional testing and validation, explaining the staggered rollout. It’s a significant step forward that could redefine Apple Silicon’s efficiency curve.

So, while the upcoming M5 MacBook Pro might not arrive with its Pro and Max siblings, Apple seems to be laying the groundwork for something much larger – a more modular, forward-looking Mac architecture. If the leaks hold true, we’re just weeks away from seeing the start of Apple’s next silicon evolution. Stay tuned – the M5 era is only just beginning.