According to 9to5Mac, Apple is developing an M5 Ultra chip specifically for next year’s Mac Studio models. The company will reportedly skip creating an M4 Ultra entirely, meaning the current Mac Studio generation only offers M3 Ultra or M4 Max options. Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg report indicates 2025 will bring both M5 Max and M5 Ultra configurations for Mac Studio. Additionally, new Mac mini models with M5 and M5 Pro chips are planned for next year. This represents a significant shift from Apple’s recent strategy of mixing chip generations in the same product lineup.
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The mixed-generation dilemma
Here’s the thing about Apple‘s current Mac Studio approach: it created a weird choice for pro users. You could either get the absolute maximum power with the M3 Ultra, or go with the newer architecture of the M4 Max but sacrifice that top-tier performance. Basically, you were choosing between raw power and newer technology. And that’s not an easy decision when you’re spending serious money.
I think Apple realized this was causing analysis paralysis. When you’re dropping thousands on a workstation, you don’t want to be second-guessing whether you made the right chip choice. The mixed-generation approach felt like Apple was clearing out M3 inventory while introducing the M4. Now they’re course-correcting.
What about the Mac Pro?
Gurman doesn’t mention the Mac Pro getting the M5 Ultra, which is interesting. He previously expected a new Mac Pro in 2025, but those rumors have gone quiet. If Apple is still working on a new Pro model, it would make perfect sense to launch it in 2026 with the M5 Ultra. Otherwise, what’s the point of developing an Ultra chip if only the Mac Studio uses it?
The Mac Pro has always been Apple’s showcase machine. But honestly, with the Mac Studio being so powerful, does Apple even need a separate Pro model anymore? The Studio basically does everything most professionals need at half the price. Maybe Apple’s realizing that too.
Good news for pro users
This is actually great news if you’re in the market for a high-end Mac. Waiting until 2025 means you’ll get the full M5 generation across the board – no compromises. The M5 Ultra will likely bring significant performance and efficiency improvements over the M3 Ultra, plus all the AI enhancements Apple’s been pushing with the M4.
And let’s be real – Apple’s chip team has been absolutely crushing it. The jump from M3 to M5 should be substantial. For video editors, 3D artists, and developers who need that maximum power, having both the latest architecture AND the top performance tier in one machine is exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
What do you think about Apple’s chip strategy? Smart move to skip M4 Ultra, or should they have released it anyway? Follow the discussion on Twitter or check out YouTube for more analysis.
