If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on a Mac powered by Apple’s next-generation M5 chip, you might need to adjust your calendar.
Based on earlier reports from supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, 9to5Mac reports Apple will likely push back the launch of M5 Macs until early 2026. The MacBook Air, which usually follows the Pro by a few months, is now expected to arrive sometime in the first half of that year.
The delay is unusual for Apple, which has generally kept to a fairly predictable cycle for its silicon upgrades. For many users, it throws off upgrade plans and raises questions about whether to wait or buy now. While Apple hasn’t confirmed the reason for the pushback, industry watchers point to manufacturing timelines, chip production schedules at TSMC, and Apple’s desire to time the M5 launch with other product strategies.
What the M5 Will Bring
When it finally arrives, the M5 isn’t expected to be a flashy redesign, but it should bring meaningful under-the-hood improvements.
Built on TSMC’s 3-nanometer process like the current M4 chips, the M5 is expected to deliver stronger graphics performance, a faster and more capable Neural Engine, and more advanced “Apple Intelligence” features. In other words, this will be an upgrade that makes your Mac faster, smarter, and more efficient—without necessarily changing the way it looks on the outside.
Looking Ahead to the M6
For those keeping an eye on the long game, the real design shake-up is rumored to come with the M6 MacBook Pro in late 2026 or early 2027. According to TechRadar, that model is expected to debut an OLED display, a thinner chassis, a hole-punch style camera, and other refinements. But that’s an even longer wait, and for many users, it’s simply not practical to hold off that long.
Why Waiting Isn’t Always the Best Option
If you’re ready for a new Mac now but reluctant to buy brand-new hardware right before the next generation drops, there’s a smart alternative: go with a used Mac from OWC. Our certified pre-owned Macs give you exceptional performance and reliability at a fraction of the price of buying new. You can upgrade to a more powerful Mac today, save money, and get a machine that’s ready for years of productive work—without being stuck on hold for Apple’s chip roadmap.
The Bottom Line
The M5 Macs are coming—but likely not in the near future. If your workflow can wait until 2026, the M5 will be a solid leap forward in performance. But if you need a new machine now, OWC’s used Mac lineup offers the perfect balance of value, capability, and availability. Why put your productivity on pause?
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