Apple Roadmap Leak Reveals Hardware Upgrades for Mac Devices

Key Takeaways

1. Apple is set to release the M5 chip this year, primarily for MacBook devices, with the M5 Pro and M5 Max also in development.
2. Upcoming devices such as the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Mini will be powered by the M5 series, while the new iPad Pro is not included in this release cycle.
3. The M5 Pro and M5 Max will feature advanced packaging technology to enhance performance and heat management by separating the CPU from the GPU.
4. The MacBook Air will not receive an M5 upgrade until 2026, but an A18 Pro-powered MacBook Air is confirmed to be in development.
5. The next generation, M6 series chips, are anticipated for late 2026 and may include an integrated 5G modem, produced using TSMC’s advanced N2 process.

A previous roadmap has confirmed that Apple is actively developing its next generation of M-series chips. These chips will be released each year, with the Apple M5 expected to make its debut this year alongside a MacBook, rather than an iPad Pro. Apple Insider has provided new insights into what Cupertino plans for the upcoming months. The Apple M5 is anticipated to power several devices during the latter half of 2025.

Upcoming Devices

To begin with, there will be a MacBook Pro featuring the M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max. In addition, an iMac powered by the M5 is set to launch alongside a Mac Mini equipped with both the M5 Pro and M5. In short, any device released in 2024 will receive an M5 upgrade. The M5, along with the M5 Pro and M5 Max, is likely to be produced using TSMC’s N3P technology. Curiously, the new iPad Pro is missing from this list, even though it has begun mass production.

Performance Enhancements

Moreover, the M5 Pro and M5 Max will utilize TSMC’s System-in-Integrated-Chips-Moulding-Horizontal (SoIC-mH) packaging. This innovative design will enable Apple to separate the CPU from the GPU, leading to improved performance and heat management. Furthermore, the Mac Pro is anticipated to get a significant upgrade, but it remains uncertain which chip will be included in it.

If the latest Mac Studio serves as any indication, it could use the Apple M3 Ultra or the yet-to-be-revealed M4 Ultra (with the code name Hidra) mentioned in a previous roadmap. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air, much like its predecessor, will not see an M5 upgrade until 2026. In addition, Apple Insider has confirmed that the previously rumored A18 Pro-powered MacBook Air is indeed real.

Future Developments

The excitement continues with the upcoming Apple M6 series. For one thing, it may be the first of Apple’s M-series chips to incorporate an integrated 5G modem, although it is unclear if this will be Apple’s own C1. Another significant enhancement for the MacBook Pro lineup could be a tandem OLED screen, similar to what is currently featured on the iPad Pro, although some reports suggest otherwise.

The Apple M6, M6 Pro, and M6 Max are expected to be released in the latter half of 2026. These chips are projected to be manufactured using TSMC’s N2 (2 nm) process. TSMC N2 marks the introduction of Nanosheet (also known as GAAFET) transistors, which promise to deliver a substantial improvement in both performance and thermal efficiency.

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