Apple’s next MacBook Pro refresh is coming, but it’s not the revolution many users have been hoping for. The MacBook Pro M5 Max is shaping up to be an impressive performer on paper, yet beneath all the benchmark boosts and technical upgrades lies a bigger issue — Apple’s increasing reluctance to innovate beyond the chip. With leaks from MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and internal macOS 26.3 code references revealing early details, it’s becoming clear that while Apple’s silicon continues to evolve, the rest of the MacBook experience is standing still. This information is also featured on 9to9trends’ YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out.
The Design That Refuses to Evolve
Apple’s MacBook Pro design has remained largely unchanged since the 2021 introduction of the M1 Pro and M1 Max. That design refresh — which reintroduced ports, enlarged the display, and slightly thickened the chassis — was a welcome move back then. But now, in 2025, it’s beginning to show its age. The leaks suggest that the MacBook Pro M5 Max will retain this exact same chassis, meaning users can expect the same display bezels, weight, and even keyboard layout. There will be no physical redesign, no slimmer profile, and certainly no OLED screen.
This lack of change isn’t just a missed opportunity; it’s a strategic decision. According to reports from The Elec, Apple’s OLED MacBook Pro models have been delayed to early 2027, with production starting in late 2026. That means two more years of the same mini-LED panels and aluminum unibody design that, while premium, are no longer cutting-edge. In short, the MacBook Pro M5 Max feels like a “last lap” for the current generation — a product designed to bridge the gap until the real overhaul arrives.
The Heart of the Machine: The M5 Max Chip
Of course, Apple’s silicon is where the real progress happens. The MacBook Pro M5 Max is built to deliver the kind of power professionals expect, even if the rest of the MacBook isn’t evolving. Based on leaks and early performance projections, the MacBook Pro M5 Max continues Apple’s formula of balancing efficiency and performance cores. The chip is rumored to feature four efficiency cores — a standard Apple has maintained since the M1 generation — but the performance cores are getting a boost. The binned version will likely have 12 performance cores, while the full version could go up to 14, creating 16- and 18-core CPU configurations, respectively.
Benchmark estimates reveal the kind of numbers that highlight Apple’s engineering prowess. Single-core scores are expected to land around 4,133, consistent with the base M5 chip, while multi-core scores are projected at around 33,200 on Geekbench for the unbinned model. That’s more than double the M2 Max’s score of roughly 14,000 and nearly triple that of the original M1 Max, which hovered around 12,000. These are substantial leaps in processing power over a few short years, proving that Apple’s chip team continues to deliver world-class efficiency and performance.
However, this raises a critical question: how much of this power will users actually need or notice? For most creative and professional tasks, even the M3 Max already offers more performance than necessary. Without major changes in software optimization or macOS workloads, these higher benchmarks may translate more into marketing than meaningful productivity gains.
GPU Power: Impressive Numbers, Familiar Purpose
Where Apple’s M-series chips have made the most visible progress is in graphics. The MacBook Pro M5 Max GPU is expected to feature 34 cores in the binned version and 42 cores in the full model. Early Metal benchmark predictions suggest that performance could reach up to 256,700 for the unbinned variant — a major increase from the M1 Max’s 106,000 and the M2 Max’s 153,000. This means the new MacBook Pro M5 Max will likely deliver a massive boost in rendering, AI processing, and gaming capability.
Yet, even here, Apple’s conservative approach limits excitement. macOS still isn’t a gaming platform, and while professional tools like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro benefit from GPU acceleration, the majority of MacBook users will barely tap into that extra graphical headroom. In essence, the M5 Max’s GPU is a powerhouse waiting for software to catch up. Without stronger GPU-focused applications or macOS updates that unlock new creative possibilities, much of this performance remains theoretical.
The Software Clues and macOS Roadmap
Some of the most revealing details about the upcoming MacBook Pro M5 Max don’t come from insiders but from Apple’s own software. Hidden references in macOS 26.3 beta code point directly to two models — “J14” and “J16” — believed to represent the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Meanwhile, macOS 26.2 lists two other identifiers, “J813” and “J815,” which align with the expected 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models.
This sequence strongly suggests Apple’s rollout plan: M5 MacBook Air models first, likely in January 2026, followed by M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros in the spring — most likely March 2026. The timing aligns with Apple’s established release cycle, where the lighter Air models debut before the Pro line. It also fits with reports that the company wants to space out its launches leading up to WWDC 2026, where macOS 27 and potentially new AI-driven Mac features may debut.
However, this predictable pattern also reflects Apple’s growing risk aversion. Rather than shaking things up with new form factors or experimental designs, Apple continues to iterate safely within known boundaries. While competitors like ASUS and Dell explore foldable displays, dual screens, and OLED across their premium lineups, Apple seems content to refine the same formula.
The Future and the Delayed OLED Dream
For many fans, the biggest disappointment isn’t the M5 Max’s raw power — it’s the lack of progress on the display front. OLED MacBook Pros have been discussed for years, and reports from The Elec indicate that Apple’s suppliers are preparing to start OLED MacBook panel production in late 2026. This effectively means the first OLED MacBooks will not arrive until early 2027, likely alongside the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips.
Until then, users are stuck with mini-LED, which, while excellent in brightness and contrast, can’t match OLED’s perfect blacks and pixel-level light control. It’s an odd situation: the world’s most advanced chip sitting beneath a display technology that already feels dated. This delay reinforces the perception that Apple is pacing innovation intentionally — keeping features like OLED as future selling points instead of current necessities.
Pricing and Apple’s Reluctance to Adjust
Perhaps the least surprising part of all this is the pricing strategy. Apple did not raise prices with the M5 MacBook Pro, and all indications suggest the M5 Pro and MacBook Pro M5 Max versions will continue this trend. That means the 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max will start around $1,999, with higher-end configurations of the M5 Max likely crossing $3,499. In typical Apple fashion, the company is betting that raw performance gains and brand consistency will justify the premium.
Yet this could be a risky assumption. With Windows laptops offering OLED, touchscreens, and AI-integrated hardware at lower prices, Apple’s unchanged pricing for a largely unchanged machine feels tone-deaf. Yes, the M5 Max will be an engineering triumph, but in 2026, users expect more than power — they expect progress.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Playing It Safe
The MacBook Pro M5 Max represents Apple at its best and its worst. It’s an undeniable technical achievement — a masterclass in silicon efficiency and performance scaling — but it’s also a symbol of stagnation in design and innovation. Everything about this machine screams refinement rather than reinvention. From its familiar body to its delayed OLED future, Apple’s focus has shifted from bold moves to cautious precision. In the end, the MacBook Pro M5 Max will be powerful, efficient, and predictably excellent — but also predictably safe. And for a company that built its legacy on redefining what technology could look and feel like, “safe” might be the most disappointing upgrade of all.
