Apple Gears Up for October Launch Featuring New M5 Chip Devices
Apple appears to be preparing another round of product updates this October, with the company’s next-generation M5 silicon expected to power a refreshed iPad Pro, a tweaked Vision Pro headset and an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro. The reporting traces back to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and has been widely echoed by the tech press. Bloomberg+1
What to expect
Insiders say the first wave will focus on standard M5-powered models rather than the higher-tier M5 Pro and M5 Max variants. The iPad Pro should receive a direct performance uplift from the M5, while the Vision Pro refresh is rumored to include comfort-focused changes such as a redesigned strap. The base MacBook Pro model is expected to debut with the standard M5 chip, with the more powerful M5 Pro/Max machines coming later. 9to5Mac+2Stuff+2
Timing and supply explanation
The rollout timing has shifted several times: earlier reports pointed to early 2026 for broad M5 Mac availability, but more recent reporting indicates mass production of some M5 models is “nearing,” which suggests an October announcement for certain devices while higher-end M5 Pro/Max chips remain constrained and likely won’t be in large supply until early next year. MacRumors+1

Signals from Apple retail inventory
Observers note dwindling stock of some entry-level M4 MacBook Pro configurations at Apple retail locations — a common sign Apple plans to replace inventory with updated SKUs. That stock movement, combined with FCC model number sightings and macOS beta breadcrumbs, strengthens the case for an imminent product reveal. AppleInsider+1
How Apple will probably announce these devices
Sources expect Apple to skip a large on-stage keynote for this update and instead publish online press releases and updated product pages on Apple’s Newsroom — a pattern Apple has used for iterative hardware updates in recent years. Keep an eye on Apple’s Newsroom the week of the announcement. Apple+1
What this means for buyers
If you own M4 hardware and need modest performance gains, an M5-standard iPad Pro or entry-level M5 MacBook Pro should offer a worthwhile uplift. Professionals who require sustained, top-tier multi-core and GPU power (video production, large ML tasks) will likely be better served waiting for the M5 Pro and M5 Max configurations expected in larger quantities next year. For Vision Pro users, comfort improvements (strap redesign) may be the more immediate, practical upgrade. TechRadar+1













