Apple will launch new MacBook Pro models in a few weeks: prices, specifications and other expected details
Apple is expected to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in the coming weeks, focusing on performance upgrades while keeping the design unchanged.
Apple may not have sent out invites yet, but hints at a new MacBook Pro launch are quietly pouring in. If recent information is anything to go by, Apple’s next set of MacBook Pro models powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive in the next few weeks. The latest hint comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who says Apple is preparing new MacBook Pro models during the macOS 26.3 software cycle. This update window runs between February and March, and macOS 26.3 is also expected to roll out soon. Although Gurman didn’t reveal an exact launch date, the timing is interesting, especially since Apple typically waits until late March or April to announce spring hardware.
Apple’s current inventory position makes this more credible. The high-end M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro configurations are already running low in many markets. Such shortages are often seen just before Apple refreshes its hardware lineup, as the company quietly clears out old stock ahead of new releases.
If Apple goes ahead with a launch this month, it will be a relatively low-key update. These new MacBook Pros are not expected to bring any visual changes. Apple redesigned the MacBook Pro in 2021, and the same design has continued across multiple chip generations. If Apple decides to add a color option, the M5 Pro and M5 Max models are expected to look identical to the existing models, apart from a possible new color option.
Apple said to launch MacBook Pro models in a few weeks: prices, specifications (expected)
Major changes to the design are not expected in the near future. According to earlier reports, Apple is saving its next major MacBook Pro makeover for 2026, when the M6 series will arrive. The future version is also said to bring an OLED display, a thinner body, and possibly a hole-style camera instead of the familiar notch. For now, Apple appears to be satisfied with what’s already working.
The display on the upcoming MacBook Pro models is also expected to remain largely the same. There are no strong rumors of new screen technology this year. At most, Apple may increase the peak brightness slightly beyond the current 1,600 nits. Where the Pro and Max models will stand apart is external monitor support. The M5 Pro is expected to handle at least two 6K displays, while the M5 Max can support up to four, making these machines better suited for professional desk setups.
This time also there is no possibility of camera upgrade. The 12MP FaceTime camera introduced with the M4 MacBook Pro is expected to remain unchanged. Although there is some talk of Apple eventually moving towards a different camera design, it appears that any serious upgrades are reserved for future generations.
The real focus of this update is performance. Unlike the base M5 MacBook Pro, which arrived with little more than a chip refresh last year, the Pro and Max variants are aimed at users who push their machines hard for long periods of time. Video editors, developers, 3D artists, and AI-focused workloads are places where these chips are expected to make a difference.
Reports suggest that Apple is working on a new internal layout for the M5 Pro and M5 Max, where the CPU and GPU sit on separate blocks. This approach could allow Apple to offer more flexible configurations, such as pairing a standard CPU setup with a more powerful GPU. It can also help with heat control, especially inside the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro bodies that rely on dual-fan cooling systems.
These chips are expected to be made using TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process, which will offer better efficiency and slightly higher speeds than the previous M4 series. Performance gains of between 15 to 25 percent compared to the M4 Pro and M4 Max are widely expected, along with stronger graphics and AI handling. Apple is also said to be working on deep AI acceleration at the GPU level, aimed at demanding tasks rather than everyday use.
Memory and storage options are also expected to remain generous. The M5 Pro can support at least 48GB of RAM, while the M5 Max can continue up to 128GB, with storage options reaching up to 8TB for users in need.
Connectivity is another area where users may see an upgrade. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 are expected to come to these models, likely via Apple’s new N1 chip, which is already used in the iPhone 17. Thunderbolt 5 will continue to be offered on the Pro and Max models, while the entry-level versions are expected to stick with Thunderbolt 4. A 5G-enabled MacBook is still in the works, but isn’t expected before 2026.
In India, pricing is expected to remain familiar. The M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro models launch at Rs 1,89,900 and Rs 2,09,900, respectively. The new versions are expected to be close to these figures, keeping the MacBook Pro firmly in premium territory.
