MacBook Pro M5 Launch Expected in Late 2025: Here's What to Expect from Apple's Next Powerhouse

Cupertino, CA May 6, 2025 — Apple is reportedly preparing for the next major upgrade to its MacBook Pro lineup with the anticipated launch of the MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip later this year. According to trusted industry insider Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the new models could hit the shelves between October and November 2025, mirroring the previous launch cadence of the M4 generation.

As Apple continues its steady evolution of the MacBook Pro, this M5-powered refresh is expected to deliver noteworthy performance gains, while maintaining the current design language and display technologies. While a complete design overhaul is not on the cards this year, the M5 chip and other internal enhancements could still make the upgrade worthwhile for professionals and power users.

MacBook Pro M5: Performance Leap with Apple Silicon’s Next Gen

Apple is expected to debut its M5 series of custom silicon chips, which could include:

• M5 (base chip)

• M5 Pro

• M5 Max

While Apple has not officially confirmed the M5 chip lineup, historical trends suggest the company will continue its tiered approach to processor options in the MacBook Pro range. The M5 chips are likely to feature faster CPU and GPU cores, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced AI performance, aligning with Apple’s broader push into Apple Intelligence across its ecosystem.

Although detailed specifications of the M5 are still under wraps, insiders expect significant gains in rendering, multitasking, and AI-based workflows, keeping the MacBook Pro at the forefront of creative and productivity-driven computing.

No Major Redesign or OLED—Yet

For users hoping for a radically new look, the M5 MacBook Pro may disappoint. Multiple reports, including one from The Elec, indicate that a major redesign or OLED display upgrade is unlikely until 2026.

As a result, the M5 MacBook Pro is expected to retain the current chassis and Liquid Retina XDR display, which is already considered among the best in its class for color accuracy, brightness, and HDR performance. This would mark the third consecutive iteration of the MacBook Pro with the same industrial design, following Apple’s strategy of extending design cycles to focus more on internal upgrades.

Memory and AI Readiness

Following the introduction of 16GB unified memory as the base configuration in the M4 MacBook Pro, Apple is expected to continue this standard with the M5 line. The increase in baseline RAM complements the growing importance of machine learning and on-device AI processing, which Apple is likely to showcase at WWDC 2025.

This suggests Apple is future-proofing its MacBook Pro for the emerging era of Apple Intelligence features that will likely debut across iOS, macOS, and iPadOS in the coming months.

When Will the MacBook Pro M5 Be Released?

If history is a guide, the M5-powered MacBook Pro lineup could launch in October or November 2025. Apple typically reserves the fall season for major Mac announcements, with last year’s M4 MacBook Pros released in the same window.

This timeline also allows Apple to space out its product reveals following the expected June WWDC event, where the company is likely to focus on software and developer tools.

Should You Wait for the MacBook Pro M5?

For those currently using Intel-based Macs or older M1/M2 generation MacBook Pros, the M5 models could offer substantial advantages in:

• Speed and performance

• Battery life improvements

• Better support for emerging AI workloads

However, if you’ve already upgraded to an M4-based MacBook Pro, you may not see dramatic improvements that justify a new purchase this year—especially given the lack of cosmetic changes or next-gen display technology.

What’s on the Horizon for 2026?

While the M5 series is set to carry Apple through late 2025 and into early 2026, the next-generation OLED MacBook Pro, rumored for release in late 2026, could introduce a more dramatic shift in design and display tech. This future version may finally retire the Mini-LED display in favor of OLED, offering deeper blacks, improved contrast, and potentially thinner form factors.

MacBook Pro M5: Summary of Expectations

FeatureDetails

Chipset	Apple M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max (expected)
Performance	Faster CPU/GPU, better AI/ML processing
Display	14.2” and 16.2” Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED)
Design	Same chassis as M4 generation
Memory	16GB unified memory (base model)
Launch Timeline	October–November 2025 (expected)
OS	macOS 15 (expected to launch at WWDC 2025)
OLED Upgrade	Delayed to 2026
Price Range (Expected)	Similar to M4 models — starting from ~$1,999 (USD)

Final Word

The upcoming MacBook Pro M5 looks set to offer meaningful performance gains without a drastic redesign. While not the leap that OLED might bring in 2026, the M5 will likely satisfy professionals needing top-tier performance for creative and computational tasks.

If your workflow demands the latest and greatest Apple Silicon, or if you’re on a Mac that’s more than a few years old, the MacBook Pro M5 could be the upgrade to wait for in late 2025.