Apple to overhaul Mac lineup with M5 chips in 2026
What's the story
Apple is gearing up for a major revamp of its Mac lineup in 2026. The tech giant plans to introduce the M5 chip across most of its Macs, starting with the MacBook Air. A new budget-friendly model will also be launched, featuring the A18 Pro chip. The updated MacBook Air will be one of the first to get this upgrade, likely in early 2026. It will feature the same M5 chip as seen in Apple's recently launched 14-inch MacBook Pro.
New releases
Budget-friendly MacBook and MacBook Pro updates
Along with the updated MacBook Air, Apple is also planning to launch a budget-friendly MacBook in 2026. This new model will sport a display of around 13-inch and will be powered by Apple's A18 Pro chip. The company is also expected to update its higher-end models with faster M5 Pro and M5 Max chips around the same time as the new MacBooks.
Display updates
Apple to refresh Mac displays and introduce new models
Apple is also working on two new display models for 2026, the first major update since the Studio Display's launch in 2022. The next-gen Studio Display could retain its 27-inch screen size but upgrade to mini-LED technology for improved HDR, brightness, contrast, and colors. There's speculation about whether these will be two versions of an upgraded Studio Display or a mix of an updated Studio Display and a more expensive Pro Display XDR successor.
Mid-2026 releases
Upcoming updates for Mac mini and Mac Studio
An updated Mac mini is also expected sometime in mid-2026, powered by the M5 and M5 Pro chips. The design of this model is not expected to change much from its predecessor. Meanwhile, the Mac Studio will get a major upgrade with M5 Max and Ultra chip technology around the same time as the Mac mini's release.
Late 2026 plans
Apple's OLED MacBook Pro and iMac updates
Apple is also working on an updated OLED MacBook Pro with next-gen M6 chip technology and a touchscreen. The release date is still uncertain but it could be late 2026 or early 2027. The company is also expected to update the iMac with an M5 chip in 2026, although details about design changes or major updates remain unclear at this point.