MacBook Pro M5 to Launch in the First Half of 2026
Apple is about to drop something big, and you need to be ready. The MacBook Pro M5 is officially going to launch in early 2026, and the buzz is electric. We’re talking a performance leap, AI acceleration, and battery life that could humiliate your current laptop. This is the gateway to Apple’s biggest MacBook overhaul in years.
If you’ve been eyeing the M4 MacBook Pro but haven’t pulled the trigger, you might want to wait. The M5 is shaping up to be Apple’s most strategic “performance stopgap” yet. You can grab your MacBook Pro M5 in Kenya at iTey Store in Nairobi when it lands, because we’ll have them fresh out of the box and ready for you.
The M5 MacBook Pro: What Makes It Worth the Wait
Apple has a reputation for incremental upgrades, but the M5 release isn’t just a placeholder. It’s the final tune-up before the M6 OLED revolution hits. That means you’ll get a top-tier machine with elite performance without waiting until late 2026.
The M5 is also expected to deliver 15–25% more performance over the M4, thanks to TSMC’s N3P 3nm process. That’s more speed, more efficiency, and a noticeable drop in heat under heavy workloads. For professionals, creators, and power users, that’s a game-changer.
M5 Chip: The Star of the Show
The real reason you’ll want the M5 MacBook Pro is under the hood. The Apple M5 chip will come in Base, Pro, Max, and Ultra versions, just like its predecessors, but each will push boundaries further.
This chip will boost AI and machine learning performance, giving you smoother rendering, faster photo edits, and lightning-fast multitasking. If you’re into video production, expect export times that’ll make your old Mac look like it’s moving in slow motion.
Apple is reportedly working with TSMC in Taiwan and new facilities in Arizona to produce the M5. That’s not just good for supply. It could mean that Apple might sidestep certain tariffs, potentially keeping prices stable.
Display Tech — Why This Might Be the Last LCD MacBook Pro
Let’s be real, Apple’s sticking with mini-LED for the M5, but not the OLED. That’s coming with the M6. But don’t dismiss it. Mini-LED still delivers deep contrast, sharp detail, and stunning HDR performance.
And with the M5’s improved GPU, you’ll squeeze even more magic out of that screen. Creatives working in Final Cut, Lightroom, or DaVinci Resolve will see cleaner color gradations and better accuracy.
So yes, OLED is coming, but only in the M6. Even though the M5 MacBook Pro will not have OLED display, it’ll still blow away most laptops on the market.
Performance That Demands Respect
The Apple M5 chip is refining the thermal management, allowing sustained high performance without throttling.
Whether you’re crunching massive data sets, editing 8K video, or running multiple virtual machines, the M5 will handle it without begging for mercy. The efficiency gains from N3P also mean longer battery life. Imagine running intensive creative software for hours without reaching for the charger.
Connectivity and Pro Features
The M5 MacBook Pro is expected to retain:
- Thunderbolt 4 ports
- HDMI
- SD card slot
- MagSafe charging
- Wi-Fi 6E or possibly Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 5.4
That means you can still run multiple 6K displays, transfer huge files in seconds, and plug into practically any setup without a dongle nightmare.
Why You Should Buy the MacBook Pro M5 in Kenya
Here’s the thing: The M6 MacBook Pro will bring OLED, a redesigned case, and maybe even built-in cellular connectivity. But that’s at least late 2026 or early 2027. If your current MacBook is struggling now, waiting that long could hurt your productivity.
The M5 MacBook Pro will give you a serious performance jump now, without locking you into outdated tech. And because it’s the last pre-OLED model, resale value will likely stay strong for years. This means you should buy the M5 as soon as it launches, to get the most out of it.
Frequently Asked Questions about the MacBook Pro M5
MacBook Pro M5 vs M4: Should You Upgrade or Wait?
If you own an M4, the upgrade to M5 will be modest; better efficiency, faster AI, and slightly improved GPU performance. But if you’re on an M3, M2, or Intel MacBook Pro, the jump to MacBook Pro M5 will be a massive upgrade.
You’ll get faster app launches, quicker project renders, and longer battery life. Waiting for the M6 is an option, but the M5 gives you power now without the long wait.
When Will the MacBook Pro M5 Launch in Kenya?
Apple fans won’t have to wait long. The MacBook Pro M5 in Kenya is expected in the first half of 2026, with industry whispers pointing to a January launch. Apple has been consistent in its MacBook Pro refresh cycle over the past few years, releasing major chip upgrades early in the year to capture both professional and educational buyers.
If the company sticks to its pattern, the M5 series will hit store shelves right after the New Year, giving creatives, developers, and power users a fresh reason to start 2026 with a performance boost.
Which Chip Will the MacBook Pro M5 Have?
The MacBook Pro M5 will have the M5 chip, crafted using TSMC’s cutting-edge N3P 3nm process. Expect lightning-fast performance with remarkable efficiency gains over the M4. The M5 lineup will offer also multiple tiers: M5 Base for everyday professional work, M5 Pro for heavy multitasking, M5 Max for graphics-intensive workloads, and M5 Ultra for the most demanding rendering, AI, and 3D projects.
These chips will push the limits of macOS performance, delivering faster CPU and GPU speeds, improved neural processing for AI tasks, and better battery life than any previous MacBook Pro.
Will the MacBook Pro M5 Have an OLED Display?
No. Despite rumors, OLED will not arrive with the M5. Apple is sticking with its Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display, which continues to deliver excellent brightness, contrast, and HDR performance. While OLED fans will need to wait until the MacBook Pro M6 in late 2026 or early 2027, the M5’s mini-LED will still offer industry-leading visuals, especially for video editors, photographers, and designers who require accurate color reproduction.
Expect Apple to refine the backlighting for even deeper blacks and reduced blooming, giving the M5’s screen an edge over most laptops on the market.
How much is the MacBook Pro M5 in Kenya
The MacBook Pro M5 price in Kenya will start from Ksh 350,000. Pricing for the M5 in Kenya hasn’t been confirmed, but all signs point to a range similar to the M4 models. The final price will depend on configuration choices like screen size, RAM, and SSD capacity.
Considering the leap in performance and efficiency, the M5 will likely offer more value at the same price point, making it a compelling upgrade for Kenyan professionals and creative studios.
Secure Your MacBook Pro M5 in Kenya at iTey Store in Nairobi
The MacBook Pro M5 is Apple’s way of giving you elite performance before the biggest MacBook redesign in years. If you can’t wait for the OLED M6, this is your perfect power machine.
At iTey Store in Nairobi, we’ll have it ready for you the moment it drops in Kenya. Get ready to own the performance crown in early 2026.