Apple seems poised to roll out a modest-but-meaningful MacBook Pro refresh soon: multiple reports say M5 Pro and M5 Max-equipped 14‑ and 16‑inch models are slated to arrive around the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs roughly February through March.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg — reliably cautious but well-sourced — wrote in his Power On newsletter that the new MacBook Pros (internal model codes J714 and J716) are planned for the macOS 26.3 release window. Other outlets and tipsters have pointed to the same timeline, and macOS 26.3 is already in beta testing, with a Release Candidate expected in early February. That lines up to make a late‑February or March announcement entirely believable.
What Apple is likely shipping
Don’t expect a radical redesign. Current coverage suggests these will be iterative updates: the headline change is the new M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon rather than any major external overhaul. That fits Apple’s cadence — incremental chip cycles followed later by bigger hardware redesigns. If you’re waiting for an OLED, touchscreen overhaul and the M6-era redesign, word is those are further down the road.
Why buy now? For many professionals these updates will be about performance and efficiency gains, not new chassis bells and whistles. If you’re shopping, the refreshed models could arrive just in time to replace dwindling inventory of higher-end M4 Pro and M4 Max configurations; retailers have been reporting tighter supply on those Macs, a common sign that new SKUs are imminent.
If you’re just browsing or want a cheaper option, the wider Mac lineup still matters — Apple’s lower-cost models have been discounted in recent deals, and the company’s product map includes other entries like the rumored budget MacBook (J700) that people keep an eye on when timing purchases. See our piece on the rumored budget MacBook for background.
A note on packaging and costs
There’s a separate rumor worth watching: one leak claims Apple’s M5 Pro/Max chips will use TSMC’s SoIC (System on Integrated Chip) packaging. That’s a manufacturing tweak that could trim costs slightly, which matters right now because memory (DRAM) and NAND prices have been volatile thanks to AI-demand pressure. If true, SoIC could be Apple’s way to keep higher-end Mac configurations competitively priced even as component costs rise.
Timeline and release mechanics
macOS 26.3’s beta cycle is moving quickly, and some reporters expect a public macOS 26.3 release in February — which would be an easy stage for Apple to announce hardware that ships with the new system software. Others hedge toward March, and Gurman explicitly framed the launch as tied to the 26.3 cycle rather than naming a specific day. In short: expect an announcement within weeks rather than months.
If you’re not in rush, it’s worth remembering that Apple’s big, attention-grabbing redesigns (the ones with new displays or hinges) usually land on a separate timetable. For buyers who care most about the raw compute uplift, the M5 Pro/Max refresh should be the relevant upgrade; for people holding out for an OLED M6-era overhaul, the calendar still leans later in the year.
If you’re shopping now and want to compare options, the market hasn’t frozen: earlier M4 machines and MacBook Air units have seen price drops as retailers clear stock — helpful context if you’re weighing whether to buy today or wait for the M5 refresh. Check current deals on MacBook Airs in our roundup of MacBook Air discounts and M4 deals.
If the M5 Pro and M5 Max arrive alongside macOS 26.3 as predicted, expect a short announcement window followed by orders and shipping that mirror Apple’s usual rhythm. For professionals who need more GPU or multi-core performance in a portable package, this could be the refresh that nudges upgrades — while the major redesigns continue brewing for later this year.
Considering an immediate purchase? If you want to keep options open, the current MacBook lineup still offers strong value — and if you prefer to wait for the rumored M5-equipped models, the next few weeks look like they’ll answer that question.
Shop reference: If you’re shopping Apple laptops now, the MacBook line remains widely available on Amazon for quick comparison and price checks.