Apple is preparing to release updated MacBook Pro models powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, according to information shared by an Apple Premium Reseller with MacRumors. The reseller reports dwindling stock of existing MacBook Pro configurations, a common indicator of an impending product launch.
The launch is expected to coincide with the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3, anticipated sometime between February and March. This timeline aligns with reporting from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who indicated the new models – internally codenamed J714 and J716 – are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle. The release of the Xcode 26.3 release candidate on , further supports the proximity of a launch.
Apple’s typical launch strategy involves coordinating supply with its retail partners to minimize inventory of older models before introducing new ones. The current low stock levels suggest this coordination is underway. However, the situation is somewhat unusual this cycle. Unlike previous releases, both the macOS 26.3 and iOS 26.3 release candidates have not yet been made available. Apple often releases these alongside the Xcode release candidate, and holding them back could indicate the presence of information within the operating system software that would reveal details about the upcoming MacBook Pro models.
Apple has historically followed a pattern of releasing macOS release candidates shortly after introducing new hardware. For example, ahead of the M3 Macs in October 2023, Apple released the iOS 17.1 and Xcode release candidates on October 17, but held the macOS 14.1 release candidate until after the new Macs were unveiled on October 23. A similar pattern was observed with the initial M1 Macs in November 2020 and the M2 Mac mini in October 2022. The simultaneous absence of both the macOS and iOS release candidates makes predicting the exact timing more difficult, though a launch as soon as tomorrow is possible.
The new MacBook Pro models will maintain the current design, focusing on performance improvements with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Apple previously released a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M5 chip in October, but the higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch models have yet to be updated. The inclusion of agentic coding tools in the Xcode 26.3 release, developed in collaboration with Anthropic and OpenAI, may have influenced the timing of its release, regardless of the macOS cycle.
Beyond the MacBook Pro, the Apple Premium Reseller also noted dwindling stock of the HomePod mini. While this could be due to supply chain issues, it also raises the possibility of an updated model being introduced soon. However, stock of the HomePod mini has been low since October 2025, and there is no current confirmation of a new version.
While a precise release date remains unconfirmed, all indicators point to an imminent launch of the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models. The interplay between software releases, reseller stock levels, and Apple’s established launch patterns suggests that users considering a high-end MacBook Pro purchase should expect new options to become available in the coming weeks.
