Apple is preparing M5 chips: first rumors and features

After the release of Apple M4 chips for new Mac devices, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared the first rumors about the next generation of M5 processors, which are expected to enter mass production in the first half of 2025.
The M5 chips will be manufactured using TSMC’s N3P (3nm) process, which offers 5-10% lower power consumption compared to the N3E process (used in the M4), as well as 5% performance gains due to an improved manufacturing architecture.
The New Model Release Schedule
- The Apple M5 base chip will begin mass production in the first half of 2025.
- The M5 Pro/Max models are scheduled for the second half of 2025.
- The flagship M5 Ultra is expected in 2026.
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An innovative approach to SoC design
Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple is using a System-on-Integrated-Chips-molding-Horizontal (SoIC-mH) server design for the M5 Pro/Max and Ultra chips. This approach reduces the footprint by 30-50% compared to traditional system-on-chip designs, resulting in improved thermal performance and reduced trottling.
System-on-Integrated-Chips-Molding-Horizontal (SoIC-mH) design.
New CPU and GPU architecture
For the M5 series, Apple plans separate CPU and GPU design, which should provide substantial performance gains, especially in AI-related tasks.
What to expect?
The M5 chips promise to be a marked step up from the M4, giving users lower power consumption, better heat management and significantly improved AI capabilities.