Apple fans expecting a surprise Mac Mini M5 release this year should lower their expectations, as Apple has quietly confirmed there will be no new Macs in 2025. That includes the Mac Mini, the iMac, and every desktop variant. The most direct confirmation didn’t come from a leak, a rumor, or a supply chain analyst—it came straight from Apple. This information is also featured on 9to9trends’ YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out.
During the company’s latest earnings call, Apple CFO Kevin Parak casually dropped a line that sounded harmless but revealed everything. He said Apple expects a “difficult compare” next quarter due to last year’s launches of the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac Mini M5, and iMac.
- 【6-core 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1215U】Unleash…
- 【Intel UHD graphics】Experience captivating…
- 【Enhanced memory and storage】With 8GB…
- 【Micro-edge display】Enjoy vibrant colors on…
If Apple had another Mac launch lined up this year—especially a new Mac Mini M5—he would not be pre-warning investors about flat Mac revenue. Apple never telegraphs bad results when a major product launch is around the corner. The message is clear: no new Macs this year. While Apple did refresh one laptop—the cheapest 14-inch MacBook Pro now has the base M5 chip—there were no M5 Pro or M5 Max models, and more importantly, no Mac Mini or iMac update. For a company that once prided itself on annual silicon advancements, this slowdown is noticeable.
A Growing List of Delayed Machines
Once Parak’s comment surfaced, leaks fell right into place. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman confirms that Apple is currently developing a new Mac Mini M5 and Mac Studio lineup that will get the M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra chips. Gurman also reported that Apple is working on at least two new external displays, including a second-generation Studio Display, possibly planned to launch alongside these desktops. Meanwhile, AppleInsider shared even more specific evidence, listing the internal identifiers for these unreleased Macs.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-13620H | Speed: 2.4 GHz…
- Display: 15″ FHD IPS (1920×1080) | 300Nits…
- Memory and Storage: 16GB RAM LPDDR5-4800 | 512 GB…
- OS and Software: Windows 11 Home Single Language |…
The Mac Mini 2026, currently under development, is labeled J873S and J873G. The next Mac Studio appears as J775C and J775D. Even macOS is dropping hints—macOS 26.4 already supports a machine internally known as J833CT, which may be an upcoming iMac based on past identifier patterns. Put all this together, and the timeline becomes obvious. The Mac Mini M5, Mac Studio, and possibly a new iMac are now expected after the higher-end M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros, which are rumored for early 2026. That likely places Apple’s desktop refresh in summer 2026, possibly at WWDC.
Why Is Apple Delaying the Mac Mini M5?
This delay isn’t logical from a product perspective. The base Mac Mini M5 chip already exists, already ships in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, and could easily be placed into the current Mac Mini M5 design with minimal engineering. In fact, the Mac Mini M5 could be released with nothing more than a press release. Instead, Apple is letting the Mac Mini sit untouched for nearly two years. The honest answer is strategy: Apple wants to launch all desktop M5 models at once.
- Active Noise Cancellation reduces unwanted…
- Adaptive Transparency lets outside sounds in while…
- Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head…
That means waiting for the M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra chips. But here’s the problem—those chips are delayed because of their new architecture. Unlike the base M5, the Pro and Max will reportedly use separate CPU and GPU blocks, allowing Apple to mix and match configurations. This modular approach means more customization and better efficiency, but it also requires long development, testing, and validation. The base M5 doesn’t need this engineering. Apple could release it right now. They’re just choosing not to.
How Big Will the Upgrade Be?
When the Mac Mini M5 finally arrives, it won’t be a groundbreaking machine. Yes, the M5 improves performance. It uses third-generation 3nm technology, has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, and brings a 16-core Neural Engine with much faster AI acceleration. Apple promises up to 45% better GPU performance, faster ray tracing, a 15% multi-core CPU uplift, and 153GB/s unified memory bandwidth with support for up to 32GB of unified memory.
- 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦…
- 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛…
- 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗦: Mechanism Type:…
- 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗬: Green Soul…
There is also a strong chance of faster SSD speeds, since the M5 MacBook Pro doubled storage speeds over the M4 models. Some buyers are hoping Apple finally ditches the embarrassing 256GB base storage and moves to 512GB with 16GB RAM, especially since the iPhone 17 starts at 256GB. It would be shameful for a desktop computer to offer the same storage as a phone. But none of this is confirmed. The harsh truth is that the M5 upgrade will be meaningful only for heavier tasks like AI workloads, GPU rendering, and multi-threaded software. Everyday users—browsing, streaming, editing, office work—will barely benefit.
The Real Winner Might Be the M4
Apple is unintentionally making the M4 Mac Mini more appealing than ever. It already delivers excellent performance, and since it’s over a year old, it often drops to $499 in the US and similar discounts in the UK. When the Mac Mini M5 releases in 2026, the M4 will likely fall even lower—possibly $399 at third-party retailers or on Apple’s refurbished store. And because the M5 model won’t change physically—the Mini already got a redesign in 2024 with Type-C front ports, Thunderbolt 5, and a slimmer body—the experience will feel nearly identical. Buyers could pay far less and still get 90% of the same performance.
- TWS earbuds with TruTalk AI-ENC (Environmental…
- Low-Latency Movie/Music Mode; Ergonomic &…
- Dynamic Drivers for Natural Sound; Advanced…
- Control Music/Calls thru Touch on the Earbuds;…
Apple’s Slowest Era for the Mac
If anything, this situation exposes the slowdown of Apple’s desktop strategy. From 2020 to 2023, Apple moved fast—M1 to M2 to M2 Ultra, updating multiple models per year. Now the pace has collapsed. Apple has gone from exciting yearly upgrades to multi-year delays, leaving customers waiting with aging hardware. And instead of being open about it, Apple hides behind cautious earnings-call language.
- ✅ 160 Watt Output – Experience powerful,…
- ✅ 2.1 Channel with Wired Subwoofer – Enjoy…
- ✅ Integrated DSP (Digital Signal Processor) –…
- ✅ Bluetooth V5.3 Connectivity – Equipped with…
Pricing and Release Date
The Mac Mini M5 is still coming—just not soon. Current leaks suggest a summer 2026 launch, likely at WWDC. Pricing is expected to remain the same, starting around $599 for the base model. In the end, customers have two choices: wait nearly two years for a mild upgrade, or buy an M4 Mini now, enjoy strong performance, and save money. Ironically, Apple’s long delay makes the cheaper option look smarter.
Last update on 2026-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
