M5 MacBook Pro: In summary
- There is a new 14-inch MacBook Pro with Apple’s next-gen M5.
- There’s a new 4TB SSD build-to-order option.
- U.K. and European shoppers have to buy their own Power Adapter.
- No M5 Pro or M5 Max models, yet…
Apple has updated the 14-inch version of the MacBook Pro with an M5 chip. Those hoping that Apple would also introduce M5 Pro and M5 Max models of the MacBook Pro will be disappointed: the M4 Pro and M4 Max variants of the MacBook continue to be sold and there is no indication as to when the year-old M4 Pro and M4 Max models will be updated.
The wait for the MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could extend to spring 2026.
The new M5 MacBook Pro models can be ordered now and will start to ship from October 22.
Here’s the lowdown on the specs, price, new features, design, dimensions and more.
New M5 MacBook Pro: Design
- No change to the design.
- Big changes are said to be coming to the M6 MacBook Pro.
Apple updated the design of the MacBook Pro in 2021, so it is no surprise that Apple continues to stick with. It’s still available in Space Black and Silver (as are the MacBook Pao M4 Pro and M4 Max).
In July 2025, Mark Gurman reported that the M5 MacBook Pro series will be the last of this current design though. Apple appears to be saving the next major design upgrade for the MacBook Pro for 2026. The M6 upgrade is said to include OLED screens, a camera “hole” to replace the notch, and a thinner design.
New M5 MacBook Pro: Display
- No change to the display.
No change was expected for the display, it remains at 14.2-inches diagonally, with 3024×1964 pixels. Max brightness is still 1,600 for HDR content. Like the predecessor it features ProMotion (unlike the MacBook Air).
Apple could be saving any drastic changes to the MacBook Pro for 2026.
Foundry
New M5 MacBook Pro: Processor
With its third straight annual update, the M5 MacBook Pro is little more than a chip refresh. Apple is describing the M5 as a “big leap” in AI performance.
The M5 offers a new 10-core GPU architecture with a Neural Accelerator in each core, which Apple says means it can provide “over 4x the peak GPU compute performance compared to M4”. In addition the enhanced graphics capabilities and third-generation ray tracing make a 45 percent improvement in graphics performance compared to the M4, according to Apple.
AI workloads should get a boost from the addition of Neural Accelerators in the GPU, claims Apple. This also enables a 4x better peak GPU compute compared to M4, and 6x better than the M1.
We’ll be running tests on the new models to verify these claims.
New M5 MacBook Pro: Camera
- No change.
Back in 2024 the M4 MacBook Pro gained a 12MP FaceTime camera, a decent upgrade from the 1080p FaceTime camera. The M5 MacBook has this same camera.
New M5 MacBook Pro: Specs
- New 4TB SSD option (for an extra $1,000/£1,000)
- No update from Bluetooth 5.3 or Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- No change to battery life: still up to 24 hours streaming
- In the U.K and Europe it no longer includes a 70W USB‑C Power Adapter in the box
With the launch of the M4 MacBook Pro, Apple made a series of upgrades that replaced outdated components, including upping the base RAM to 16GB, bringing Thunderbolt 5 to the M4 Pro and Max models, and offering a Nano-texture glass option.
The main changes to the specs of the new M5 MacBook Pro, compared to the M4 model is the addition of a new 4TB SSD option, for an extra $1,000.
There is also the omission of a 70W power adapter in the box if you are purchasing in the U.K. and Europe, although it remains in the box for the U.S., Canada and Australia and isn’t clear what regulation has lead to the omission. This used to be supplied as standard, now shoppers have to pay £59 for the Apple Power Adapter but can choose if they want 70W (for £59) or 96W (for £79). In the U.S. shoppers can spend $20 to get the 96W adapter instead.
New M5 MacBook Pro: Release date
- Launched October 15, 2025. Pre-order now.
- On Sale October 22, 2025.
- M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro may not be released until spring 2026.
The on-sale date of October 22 is probably because Apple’s Back to School deal for 2025 ends on October 21 in U.K. and Europe (it has already finished in the U.S. and Canada), Apple may be timing the on-sale date for the new MacBook Pro to come after this deal ends.
New M5 MacBook Pro: Price and how to buy
- Prices haven’t changed.
Here are the prices for the current standard configurations of the M5 MacBook Pro:
14-inch MacBook Pro
- $1,599/£1,599: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4
- $1,799/£1,799: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 4
- $1,999/£1,999: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 1GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4
Apple hasn’t changed the prices of the M4 Pro or M4 Max models.
FAQ
Is there a M5 Pro MacBook Pro?
Unfortunately not yet. Apple has only launched the M5 MacBook Pro.
For now the following M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro models remain.
16-inch MacBook Pro
- $1,999/£1,999: M4 Pro with a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
- $2,399/£2,399: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
- $3,199/£3,199: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
16-inch MacBook Pro
- $2,499/£2,499: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
- $2,899/£2,899: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
- $3,499/£3,499: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
- $3,999/£3,999: M4 Max with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5
Which is better, the M5 MacBook Pro or M4 Pro MacBook Pro
This is likely to confuse a few people. The Pro chip is always better than the non Pro chip. And similarly the Max varient is better than the Pro (it’s essentially two Pro chips).
When we run benchmarking tests we expect to see a boost compared to the M4 MacBook Pro, but the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips will still bet them, just not by as much as the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips will when they launch.
Why has Apple stopped including the Power Adapter in the U.K.?
We don’t know. It could relate to EU legislation, or it could be for environmental reasons. It doesn’t seem fair given that the U.S. and some other places get a Power Adapter, while the U.K. and Europe don’t.
We would be prepared to bet that Apple will eventually stop including Power Adapters in the box, as it has with the iPhone and other products.
Should I buy an M5 MacBook Pro or wait for the M5 Pro (or M5 MacBook Air)
These three Macs are very different beasts and the answer depends on what you need. The MacBook Air is a lot cheaper than the MacBook Pro and you do get more for your money, but it also has a set of restrictions due to it’s more compact size. When the M5 MacBook Air comes out we think it will probably prove popular. As for the MacBook Pro with the Pro chip, the price will be a lot higher than the M5 model, but if you need the extra power, RAM and GPU capabilities then it’s likely to be worth waiting.
Author: Karen Haslam, Managing Editor, Macworld
Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.K. print and online editions of Macworld for many years, more recently her focus has been on SEO and evergreen content as well as product recommendations and buying advice.