Apple’s 2026 Mac Roadmap Leaked: M5, M6 Chips & Redesigned MacBook Pro Revealed

With 15 new Mac models reportedly in development, is Apple preparing its most aggressive silicon transition yet? Leaked identifiers point to a seismic shift in performance, design, and accessibility across the Mac lineup.

Leaked Identifiers: M5 MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Studio Updates

A trove of internal Apple device identifiers obtained by AppleInsider reveals detailed plans for MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Studio refreshes through 2026. Analyst Marko Zivkovic reports that 15 Mac models are in active development, including:

• M5 MacBook Pro (14”/16”) with upgraded thermal systems
• M5 iMac featuring a 32” display option
• M5 Pro Mac mini targeting creative professionals
• Mac Studio with M5 Max and Ultra variants

The M5 chip, expected to debut in late 2025, reportedly focuses on AI acceleration and energy efficiency. Early benchmarks suggest a 25% GPU performance leap over M3, positioning it to compete with Nvidia’s RTX 4070 in machine learning tasks.

M6 MacBook Pro: Redesign Without Screen Size Changes

Despite rumors of a radical overhaul, leaked “K114” and “K116” codes confirm the 2026 MacBook Pro will retain its 14” and 16” screen sizes. However, the redesign introduces:

• Thinner bezels with micro-LED backlighting
• Magnetic charging puck replacing MagSafe 3
• Dynamic Function Row replacing Touch Bar

The M6 chip, built on TSMC’s 2nm process, aims for a 40% CPU speed boost over M5. Industry insiders suggest Apple will position this as its first “3nm+” architecture, optimizing for generative AI workloads like macOS Sequoia’s rumored Siri 2.0.

Low-Cost A18 Pro MacBook Targets Education Market

A mysterious identifier (“J614”) aligns with rumors of a $799 MacBook powered by an A18 Pro chip—the same silicon driving iPhone 17 Pro models. This device would mark Apple’s first cross-platform processor strategy, offering:

• 13” LCD display with 60Hz refresh rate
• 8GB unified memory, 256GB base storage
• Compatibility with iOS apps via Project Marzipan

Analysts speculate this model aims to reclaim market share in education and emerging economies, undercutting Chromebooks while integrating tightly with Apple’s ecosystem.

macOS Sequoia Leaves 2018 Mac Mini Behind

Code snippets in macOS 26 (2026’s OS) confirm Apple will drop support for Intel-based Mac mini (2018) and Intel MacBook Air (2020). This accelerates the Apple Silicon transition, with 93% of active Macs expected to run Apple chips by 2027.

The move pressures enterprises still reliant on Intel virtualization—a gap Apple aims to fill with Rosetta 3, enabling x86_64 app support on M6 chips.

Key Takeaways

• M5 tsunami: 15 Mac models slated through 2026, prioritizing AI/ML performance.
• Design evolution: MacBook Pro retains screen sizes but overhauls inputs and cooling.
• A18 crossover: Budget MacBook blurs iOS/macOS lines, challenging sub-$800 Windows PCs.
• Legacy sunset: macOS 26 drops Intel Macs, pushing holdouts to upgrade.
• AI race: M6’s 2nm architecture positions Apple as a dark horse in generative AI hardware.

With these leaks, Apple signals a relentless focus on vertical integration—and a coming showdown with AI-first rivals like Microsoft’s Copilot PCs. For developers and creatives, the next two years may redefine what a “pro” machine means.