Rumor mill: The Apple M5 SoC sequence will function a number of chips, together with the M5, M5 Professional, M5 Max, and M5 Extremely. They are going to be manufactured utilizing TSMC’s superior N3P node, which entered the prototype part earlier this yr. The M5 and M5 Professional/Max are tipped to enter manufacturing in H1 2025 and H2 2025, respectively, whereas the Extremely will enter mass manufacturing in 2026.
Apple insider and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed a slew of latest details about Cupertino’s upcoming M5-series processors. The brand new chips are anticipated to energy a lot of next-gen merchandise, together with MacBooks, iPads, and extra.
Kuo added that the M5 Professional, Max, and Extremely will use server-grade 2.5D packaging referred to as SoIC-mH (System-on-Built-in-Chips Molding Horizontal), which can function separate CPU and GPU designs to extend yield and enhance thermal efficiency. Apple might be TSMC’s largest SoIC buyer, however different main chip designers, together with AMD, AWS (Amazon), and Qualcomm, are additionally anticipated to make use of the brand new expertise of their next-gen processors.
The M5 lineup is anticipated to supply higher efficiency than the M4 chips regardless of sticking to a 3nm course of as a substitute of upgrading to a 2nm node. They’re additionally stated to be extra energy environment friendly than their predecessors, which means customers can count on higher battery life from their units along with quicker efficiency.
Rumors recommend that the MacBook Professional, MacBook Air, and OLED iPad Professional will all get the M5 therapy between spring 2025 and H1 2026, however it’s unclear whether or not the next-gen Mac mini will even be upgraded with the brand new chip at some stage. Gadgets powered by the flagship M5 Extremely are anticipated to hit retailer cabinets within the second half of 2026.
Apple launched its newest MacBook Professional, iMac, and Mac mini powered by M4-series chips earlier this yr, whereas the next-gen MacBook Air is anticipated to debut subsequent spring. The Mac Studio and the Mac Professional with the M4 Extremely are tipped to launch later in 2025. The corporate can also be anticipated to improve its AI servers to the M4 chips subsequent yr. These are at present powered by the M2 Extremely.