Apple’s M5 MacBook Pro Surfaces in New FCC Filings But Its Release Window Just Shifted

Apple hasn’t said a word publicly, but the FCC may have just revealed its next major product. A newly discovered filing lists a device with the model number A3434, a designation that doesn’t match any current MacBook in Apple’s lineup. All signs point toward the upcoming M5 MacBook Pro, officially confirming that development is well underway even if Apple refuses to acknowledge it.

A Quiet FCC Leak Signals Apple’s Next Big Launch

The timing of the filing lines up perfectly with Apple’s historical product roadmap. FCC approvals generally appear shortly before a launch, suggesting that early 2026 is now the most realistic release window. While many expected a late 2025 debut, current indicators suggest a slight delay, likely tied to production pacing or Apple’s ongoing strategy to spread out major announcements across the calendar.

An Odd Omission: Still No Wi-Fi 7?

One detail in the filing is raising eyebrows. The documentation includes routine testing for wireless communication standards but does not reference Wi-Fi 7, despite the fact that:

• The iPhone 17 already includes the new N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
• The M5 iPad Pro is expected to introduce Wi-Fi 7 as well

Why would Apple’s flagship laptop skip next-gen connectivity? It’s unclear whether this is:

• A temporary testing omission
• A hardware limitation
• Or Apple intentionally segmenting features across product lines

Regardless, it creates unexpected inconsistency across the M5 ecosystem, something Apple rarely allows.

A Familiar Exterior, But Major Upgrades Inside

Apple isn’t planning a new look this time. After the 2021 redesign restored MagSafe, added HDMI and the SD card slot, and included mini LED and ProMotion, Apple seems satisfied with its current design direction.

This means the biggest improvements will happen internally:

M5 Chip: A Measured but Meaningful Leap

Early expectations suggest:

• 15 25% faster performance vs. the M4
• Better power efficiency
• Upgraded graphics performance
• Higher sustained performance under load

It’s not a revolutionary jump, but it keeps Apple Silicon firmly ahead in real-world pro workflows.

Three Tiers: M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max

Supply chain leaks mention internal codenames J714 and J716, confirming at least two MacBook Pro variants. As usual, expect:

• Standard M5 chip for mainstream users
• M5 Pro for developers and power users
• M5 Max with extreme GPU and memory options

The M5 Max in particular may offer:

• Up to 40 GPU cores
• As much as 128GB unified memory
• Enhanced Neural Engine performance
• Support for Thunderbolt 5, delivering up to 80 Gbps bandwidth

For video editors, 3D artists, and scientific computing workloads, this is the type of upgrade that significantly impacts daily performance.

Why the Delay? Apple Shifts Its Mac Release Strategy Again

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that mass production is close but not fully started, meaning Apple may have run into familiar timing issues. This wouldn’t be the first time:

• The M2 Pro/M2 Max MacBook Pro slipped from October 2022 to January 2023
• The M3 MacBook Pro arrived out of cycle as well

Spacing out launches avoids stepping on the iPhone 17 hype and stretches Apple’s major news events throughout the year.

Still Missing: Benchmarks, Specs, and AI Details

For all the excitement, hard numbers are scarce. We still don’t know:

• Memory bandwidth improvements
• Neural Engine upgrades for on device AI
• Real performance benchmarks
• Updated battery life expectations

Apple has tightened control on leaks over the past two generations, leaving enthusiasts and potential buyers with little concrete data.

Should You Wait for the M5 MacBook Pro?

If you’re using:

• An Intel MacBook Pro, or
• An early Apple Silicon model (M1)

…the M5 generation will represent a massive leap across CPU speed, GPU power, battery efficiency, and AI performance.

But if you recently bought an M4 MacBook Pro, you’re still in excellent shape there’s no immediate reason to regret your purchase.

Bottom Line: The M5 MacBook Pro Is Coming, Just Slightly Later Than Expected

The FCC has essentially confirmed what many suspected: Apple’s next generation MacBook Pro is real, tested, and nearly ready just delayed a few months. With expected improvements in performance, efficiency, graphics, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, the M5 lineup is shaping up to be one of the strongest updates since Apple Silicon debuted.

And despite the unusual omission of Wi-Fi 7, all signs suggest this will be one of Apple’s most capable pro level laptops yet.