Apple’s macOS 26.3 Beta Hints at Imminent M5 MacBook Pro Launch
Apple’s latest macOS 26.3 Release Candidate (RC) has unveiled internal references to new System on Chip (SoC) identifiers, suggesting that the release of M5 MacBook Pro models is imminent. The RC includes mentions of two new SoC IDs: T6051 and T6052, associated with platform codes H17C and H17D, respectively. This pattern aligns with Apple’s historical coding conventions for its M-series chips, indicating that T6051/H17C likely corresponds to the M5 Max chip, while T6052/H17D pertains to the M5 Ultra chip.
Notably, there is an absence of references to an M5 Pro chip, which would typically be identified by T6050/H17S. This omission raises questions about the release timeline for the M5 Pro variant. Bloomberg has reported that the new MacBook Pro models are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, suggesting a release window between February and March.
Historically, Apple has introduced new MacBook Pro models in October, as seen with the M3 and M4 versions. However, recent reports indicate a shift in this pattern. In October 2025, it was suggested that while the base M5 MacBook Pro could launch soon, the M5 Pro and M5 Max models might be delayed until early 2026. This aligns with the current findings in the macOS 26.3 RC, which reference the M5 Max and M5 Ultra but not the M5 Pro.
The inclusion of these identifiers in the latest macOS beta underscores Apple’s progression toward releasing the next generation of MacBook Pros. While the exact launch dates remain unconfirmed, the evidence points to an impending announcement, potentially within the next few months.
