As Apple continues to push its silicon roadmap forward, many users are wondering: will the Mac mini get the next-gen M5 chip in 2025? With the launch of the M4 chip earlier this year, attention has now turned to the potential timing of M5, and whether the compact powerhouse Mac mini will be part of that transition.
1. Apple’s Chip Release Pattern: Is an M5 Mac mini Likely in 2025?
Looking at Apple’s release cadence in recent years:
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M1 chip debuted in November 2020
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M2 followed in June 2022
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M3 launched in October 2023
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M4, surprisingly, came in May 2024 — ahead of expectations.
This fast-paced update suggests that Apple is accelerating its silicon development cycle, possibly to better align with AI and Pro applications.
Mark Gurman report that a full lineup of M5-based Macs will not arrive until late 2025 or even early 2026. Specifically, the M5 MacBook Pro is now expected in 2026, not this year — a clear sign that Apple might stagger the release of M5 chips across product lines.
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💻 2. Which Devices Will Get the M5 Chip?
According to various supply chain reports, Apple is currently testing M5 chips across multiple products. The expected candidates for M5 silicon include:
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Mac mini (M5 and M5 Pro models)
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iPad Pro (2025/2026)
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Vision Pro 2
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Entry-level MacBook Air (possibly late 2026)
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iMac (2026)
Interestingly, product identifiers for a new Mac mini with M5 Pro chip (codenamed “J873s”) were discovered earlier this month. This has led many to believe that Apple may introduce the M5 Pro Mac mini first, followed by a standard M5 version.
Mac mini M5 vs. M4: Is It Worth Waiting?
The Mac mini M4 is already fast, efficient, and supports AI features — perfect for most users today.
However, the upcoming Mac mini M5 is rumored to bring Thunderbolt 5 support, a more efficient 3nm+ or early 2nm chip, and possibly a redesigned logic board for better heat management. It could also come with improved GPU cores and neural engines, which will benefit future macOS AI features.
In short:
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✅ Buy M4 now if you want excellent performance today.
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⏳ Wait for M5 if you value future-proofing and cutting-edge I/O like Thunderbolt 5.
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Conclusion
As of now, the answer is "maybe — but not likely." While leaked identifiers suggest the Mac mini is being tested with M5 and M5 Pro chips, current industry consensus leans toward a 2026 launch for most M5 Macs, including the MacBook Pro and Mac mini.
