Apple silicon made its debut in 2020 with the inaugural M-class chip, the M1, which appeared in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. However, last year marked a major product shift for Apple when it launched the M4, and indications suggest that this pattern will persist with the forthcoming M5 chip.
### M5 MacBook Pro Might Be Postponed Until Early 2026
Recently, Mark Gurman revealed an overview of new Apple products anticipated for release in early 2026. One of the significant surprises from this report is the expected postponement of the M5 MacBook Pro. Originally slated for release this fall, the M5 MacBook Pro’s launch is now projected for early next year, prolonging the current release cycle of the MacBook Pro beyond the usual timeframe.
According to the Bloomberg report, Apple had intentions to unveil new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, code-named J714 and J716, later this year featuring M5 chips. However, the company is now internally targeting a launch window in early 2026. The release timing is still variable, as Apple has typically debuted the M1, M3, and M4 MacBook Pros in either October or November.
It is still uncertain why Apple is delaying the launch of the M5 MacBook Pro, and no further details have been shared. Nevertheless, Gurman has confirmed that one M5 product is still scheduled for release this fall—the M5 iPad Pro.
### iPad Pro Might Receive Apple’s New M-Class Chip Before Mac… Again
Last year, Apple made a significant decision by introducing the M4 chip exclusively in the iPad Pro prior to its availability on the Mac. This diverged from the earlier trend where M-class chips first appeared on Mac models. The M4 chip was integrated into the iPad Pro in May and did not make its way to the Mac until six months afterward.
If Gurman’s reports are accurate, the new M5 chip will likewise launch in the iPad Pro this fall, making it the sole M5 product available until early 2026. This practice of initially launching M-series chips in the iPad could become a common approach for Apple.
The postponement of the M5 MacBook Pro may suggest that Apple requires additional time to finalize the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Given that the iPad Pro will only incorporate the standard M5 chip, it can be released sooner.
In summary, the unexpected strategy of launching M-series chips in the iPad may be a trend that consumers will need to adjust to in the future.
