MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max launching soon – reseller stocks run dry

Apple is gearing up to launch new MacBook Pro models powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, expected to arrive in February or early March 2026. A premium reseller told MacRumors that their MacBook Pro inventory has hit critically low levels – a sign that updated models are right around the corner.

• Third-party retailer stocks of MacBook Pro are nearly depleted as Apple coordinates supply ahead of new device launches
• Xcode 26.3 release candidate dropped on February 3, but iOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3 RC versions are being held back, likely to conceal identifiers of new Macs
• New 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could be unveiled as soon as February 4, alongside the final RC builds of the operating systems

An authorized third-party Apple retailer told MacRumors that MacBook Pro stock is critically low due to the forthcoming product refresh. Apple typically tightens shipments to retailers ahead of new model launches to avoid leaving partners stuck with outdated inventory. Over the weekend, Bloomberg reported that the new MacBook Pro generation will arrive alongside macOS Tahoe 26.3 sometime between February and March, signaling the OS release is imminent.

Xcode 26.3 RC arrives without macOS or iOS – a sign the announcement is near

On February 3, Apple released the Xcode 26.3 release candidate, but the RC versions of iOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3 have yet to appear. It’s unusual for Apple to roll out an RC of its development environment without simultaneously releasing the matching iOS and macOS candidates. This delay often suggests the macOS build contains sensitive information Apple wants to keep under wraps until the official product announcement. If the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros do launch alongside macOS Tahoe 26.3, that OS build likely includes model identifiers that would prematurely reveal the upcoming hardware.

Apple typically holds macOS release candidates anywhere from a few days to a week before launch. Back in October 2023, before the M3 Macs debuted, Apple released iOS 17.1 RC and Xcode RC on October 17 but delayed macOS 14.1 RC until after the hardware announcement. The new Macs were unveiled on October 23, with macOS 14.1 RC appearing the following day. Similar patterns occurred ahead of the first M1 Macs in November 2020 and the Mac mini M2 in October 2022-Apple released iOS and Xcode RCs first, holding back the macOS RC.

This time, the delay includes iOS 26.3 RC as well, so the length of the holdback is unclear. Apple could announce the new MacBook Pro models as soon as tomorrow, February 4, and release both OS RCs together. Alternatively, the wait might stretch one to two weeks, particularly if additional beta updates remain in the pipeline.

It’s also a bit puzzling why Apple chose to release Xcode 26.3 RC now and not delay it along with the OS builds. This version introduces agent programming tools developed in collaboration with Anthropic and OpenAI, so Apple may be sticking to a strict rollout schedule for these new features.

HomePod mini also disappearing from shelves, but reason remains unclear

All signs point to a fast-approaching launch for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Apple has already introduced the base 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip, but the higher-end 14- and 16-inch configurations are still waiting for an update.

The same reseller told MacRumors that HomePod mini stocks are also running low, with many models sold out. However, there’s no official confirmation whether this shortage is due to supply chain issues or a pending hardware refresh. The HomePod mini has faced supply constraints since October 2025, so the ongoing scarcity doesn’t necessarily hint at an upcoming HomePod mini 2.