EXCLUSIVE
macOS Tahoe itself has leaked 2025 and 2026 Mac
release timelines
Marko Zivkovic 14 Fri Oct 10 2025, 0235 PM EDT · 3 minute read
The M5 MacBook Pro release appears imminent.
Details surrounding the general timeline of Apple's 2026 Mac
releases have surfaced, thanks to our sources that have knowledge
of macOS Tahoe development and hardware testing.
People familiar with the matter have told AppleInsider that a Mac with the identifier
J704 is nearing release. Apple has been testing this model with a dedicated
hardware-focused variant of macOS Tahoe, version 26.0.2. Other Mac models
remain in the works, but they are not expected to launch just yet.
Based on the identifier J704, Apple appears to be gearing up for the debut of the
base model M5 MacBook Pro. For reference, the preceding model, with the
standard M4 chip, is known as the J604.
Supplies of the current M4 MacBook Pro at Apple retail locations are constrained,
suggesting a new model is on the way. The FCC also inadvertently leaked the
model number of an unreleased MacBook Pro, further solidifying the likelihood of
an M5 MacBook Pro launch in late 2025.
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Early 2026, meanwhile, looks as though it will be even more exciting. Thanks to
individuals familiar with Apple's plans, who were previously correct about Apple's
"26" version branding, we exclusively have a better understanding of what 2026
will bring in terms of new Mac hardware.
M5 MacBook Air — macOS 26.2, early 2026
The M5 MacBook Air, for instance, is on track to debut after the base M5 MacBook
Pro. Known as J813 and J815, the laptop will be available in the same 13-inch and
15-inch sizes as the current M4 model, albeit with improved performance.
The M5 MacBook Air is expected to debut in early 2026.
According to our sources, Apple's new-and-improved M5 MacBook Air is expected
to ship with macOS 26.2. This is expected in early 2026.
For reference, the M4 MacBook Air was announced in March of 2025. It shipped
with macOS 15.3, which was released in January 2025.
The M4 MacBook Air was also tested with macOS 15.2, as Apple accidentally
leaked an IPSW file for the then-unreleased device in December 2024.
With that in mind, looking at the information that was provided to us, it's logical that
Apple is similarly testing the M5 MacBook Air with macOS 26.2. The device itself,
meanwhile, will likely debut in early 2026.
M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro — macOS 26.3, early
2026
After the M5 MacBook Air, we'll see the arrival of Apple's high-end M5 Pro and M5
Max MacBook Pro configurations.
The M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro could ship with macOS 26.3.
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They will be available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, much like the current M4-based
line. All variants of the J714 and J716 MacBook Pros are expected to ship with
macOS 26.3.
For reference, macOS 15.3 became available to the general public in January 2025.
This suggests the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros are set to debut in early
2026, after the release of macOS 26.3. The OS also supports a Mac known as
J700, though it's not clear what this is.
The M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro release date should be notably different
from the release of the M4-equipped MacBook Pro line, which shipped in
November 2024.
At the same time, an early 2026 release for the high-end M5 Pro and M5 Max
MacBook Pros does align with Apple's prior product launches.
The M2 Pro and M2 Max models of the MacBook Pro, for instance, both launched
in January 2023, with macOS 13.2. M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro variants were
released in November of the same year.
Based on the information we were provided, Apple similarly plans to debut
redesigned M6 Pro and M6 Max MacBook Pros, after the launch of high-end M5
Pro and M5 Max models.
Known broadly under the identifiers K114 and K116, all M6 Pro and M6 Max
MacBook Pro models are expected to feature a thinner chassis and OLED display.
Before that, however, updated Mac mini and Mac Studio models could debut with
macOS 26.4.
Mac mini and Mac Studio — macOS 26.4, Summer 2026
The unreleased Mac mini, currently in development, has the identifiers J873s and
J873g, while the next-generation Mac Studio is known as J775c and J775d.
The 2026 Mac Studio could ship with macOS 26.4.
At the time of writing, macOS 26.4 supports a Mac known as J833ct, which may be
an iMac, based on previous identifiers.
These three desktop Macs — a Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and possibly an iMac — will
most likely debut after the high-end M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros.
For reference, the M2 Ultra Mac Studio was announced in June 2023, with macOS
13.4, which was released in March of the same year. This means the updated Mac
Mini and Mac Studio could debut in the summer of 2026.
macOS 26.4 also contains files related to a Mac with the identifier J804. This is
possibly a successor to the J704, which is believed to be the base model M5
MacBook Pro.
Overall, 2026 is gearing up to be an eventful year for Mac users. Before the new
year, though, we'll be able to see the M5 iPad Pro and M5 MacBook Pro.
Marko Zivkovic
Associate Editor
Through exclusive articles, Marko has published product designs, detailed overviews of new hardware projects,
and even information on then-unannounced operating systems.
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COMMENTS
mac_dog
About 1 day ago
· 1115 comments · 17 Years
Tahoe is a joke. It broke bonjour AND airplay and my Epson printer isn’t
connecting. I’ve only had this many problems with a Mac OS from the late 90s.
It’s sad and shouldn’t have been released. My equipment is only a year old.
2 5
blastdoor
About 1 day ago
· 3932 comments · 16 Years
mac_dog said:
Tahoe is a joke. It broke bonjour AND airplay and my Epson printer
isn’t connecting. I’ve only had this many problems with a Mac OS
from the late 90s. It’s sad and shouldn’t have been released. My
equipment is only a year old.
The issues with the Phone app were pretty annoying too.
2 3
blastdoor
About 1 day ago
· 3932 comments · 16 Years
Great to get an estimate on when the next Studio and mini will be released.
All quiet on the Mac Pro front, though. I wonder what, if anything, is in the works there
3 0
JamesCude
About 1 day ago
· 137 comments · 4 Years
It’s surprising that after all these years there’s still no system to prevent internal
development leaks, like placeholders that automatically refresh on a set date or
whatever to make it impossible no matter who is doing the coding.
2 1
CheeseFreeze
About 1 day ago
· 1471 comments · 8 Years
mac_dog said:
Tahoe is a joke. It broke bonjour AND airplay and my Epson printer
isn’t connecting. I’ve only had this many problems with a Mac OS
from the late 90s. It’s sad and shouldn’t have been released. My
equipment is only a year old.
I agree. And it’s made worse by an idiotic UI design that in all its facets are a huge
regression. I do not understand how this could have been signed off on. I am going to
downgrade - a first since I started using Macs pre-macOSX.
4 4
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macOS Tahoe itself has leaked 2025 and 2026 Mac release timelines
Details surrounding the general timeline of Apple's 2026 Mac releases have
surfaced, thanks to our sources that have knowledge of macOS Tahoe
development and hardware testing.
14
Marko Zivkovic 1 day ago
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