Apple will introduce a major change on the M5 CPU launched in 2025

The world of technology is constantly evolving. While many people are still impressed by the comprehensiveness of Apple's M4 chip line, the first information about the next generation M5-series product line has also begun to be revealed. The report comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is famous for sharing highly accurate information about Apple products, the M5 CPU is expected to carry an extremely anticipated change that Apple will launch in 2025.

First, it's worth clarifying that the M5 series will be manufactured on TSMC's N3P process, the next step up from N3E on the M4. Kuo says the new process node "entered the prototype stage a few months ago," but this is the first time we've seen three consecutive generations of chips using 3nm technology.

Specifically, the M5 Pro, Max, and Ultra models will be packaged in a “server-grade” 2.5D package, apparently to improve manufacturing yields and thermal performance. This will allow the CPU and GPU to use separate designs, a major change from previous generations that used a conventional system-on-a-chip. Kuo also mentioned that these high-end M5 chips will be “more suitable” for AI inference.

In simple terms, despite being a 3nm chip, the M5 processors will offer better computing and graphics performance than the M4 chips due to being developed on TSMC's advanced N3P process. This means that users can expect some performance improvements over the M4 chip. The chip's performance will also be improved over the previous generation, which will contribute to longer battery life on the new generation MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models.

There's a lot we don't know about exactly how these changes will affect the final product, but clearly, Apple is giving its higher-end chips some new capabilities and features.

As for the rollout schedule, Kuo says Apple will officially start commercializing the M5 chip in the first half of 2025, followed by the M5 Pro/Max in the second half. Finally, the M5 Ultra is scheduled for 2026. This would put the most powerful Mac desktop back on an annual update cycle after skipping the M3 Ultra. Of course, we’re still waiting for the M4 Ultra, which is expected to appear in the refreshed Mac Studio and Mac Pro around 2025.