Should you buy a new Mac now or wait for 2026 launches?
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With multiple new Macs expected to arrive in 2026, questions around when to buy have become increasingly relevant. This article outlines upcoming Mac and MacBook models and explains what expected updates mean for buyers considering a new Apple computer in the near term.Yetnesh Dubey 👁 Published 🇪🇸 🇵🇹 ...
With several new Macs expected to enter Apple’s lineup over the coming year, questions around timing have become increasingly relevant. Only a couple of weeks ago, we reported that more than 30 upcoming Apple products had been leaked, including major launches such as the iPhone 18 Pro alongside the highly anticipated A18 Pro-powered affordable MacBook.
To further help inform buying decisions, this article takes a closer look at the Mac and MacBook models expected for 2026, examining the changes these updates may introduce and what they could mean for anyone considering a purchase in the near term.
Apple M5 MacBook Air
The Apple M5 MacBook Air, launching in early 2026, is expected to retain the same overall design as the M4 model. It is going to feature the same chassis, ports, and display as the current-generation model. Moreover, some recent reports suggest that work on the MacBook Air has already begun. However, we are only likely to see an OLED-equipped MacBook Air no earlier than 2028.
An OLED display will finally replace the IPS LCD panel that has been used on the MacBook Air for a long time. The new OLED display is also likely to further improve battery life on an already long-lasting laptop, while offering a superior viewing experience.
Regardless, if you're looking to buy a MacBook Air right now, the base model 13-inch M4 MacBook Air is currently being sold for $799 on Amazon, and it is a worthy buy even if the M5 MacBook Air arrives. The only probable advantage of waiting a couple of weeks for the M5 MacBook Air to launch is that the price of the M4 MacBook Air might drop even further on Apple’s website. However, it is unlikely to drop on marketplaces like Amazon so soon, likely not until existing stock runs low.
Apple M5 Mac mini
The Apple M5 Mac mini is expected to arrive in mid-2026 and will likely be positioned as a straightforward performance refresh rather than a redesign. The current Mac mini received a major chassis update in 2024, and Apple is not expected to alter that design again so soon. Instead, the focus will be on moving the lineup to M5 and M5 Pro silicon, bringing noticeable CPU and GPU gains along with improved AI performance, particularly on the Pro variant.
Apple will likely continue with the same base memory tiers introduced with the M4 generation, meaning 16 GB RAM for the base model and 24 GB RAM for the Pro configuration. Connectivity is also expected to remain the same, with Thunderbolt 4 on the standard M5 model and Thunderbolt 5 reserved for the M5 Pro. Wireless connectivity is unlikely to move beyond Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. As a result, the upcoming Mac mini should be viewed as a refinement of an already strong platform rather than a must-wait upgrade, at least if you are planning to buy the variant powered by the M5 chip. As consumers looking to buy the M5 Pro Mac mini should definitely avoid purchasing the current M4 Pro Mac mini right now.
However, for the rest of the buyers who need a compact desktop today, the current M4 Mac mini remains a sensible purchase, with the base model available for $539.
Apple M5 iMac
The 24-inch iMac is also expected to receive an M5 update in 2026, but much like the Mac mini, this will likely be a simple chip upgrade aimed at keeping the product current. The existing iMac design, introduced with Apple silicon, is expected to stay unchanged, including the display, port selection, and overall form factor. Apple appears content with the current design language, and no major visual or functional changes are anticipated in the near term.
While OLED displays have been linked to future iMac models in long-term roadmaps, current expectations place that transition some time likely in 2027. As a result, the M5 iMac should be seen as a performance-focused refresh rather than a technological leap. For users looking to buy an iMac, waiting specifically for OLED may not be practical, which is why you can pick one up for $1,749 on Amazon.
Apple M5 Mac Studio
The Mac Studio is expected to receive a more substantial update than most other Macs in 2026, with current reports pointing to a launch around WWDC in June 2026. Apple is widely expected to introduce configurations powered by the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, marking the first Ultra-class update since the M3 Ultra. If Apple skips an intermediate Ultra generation, as reports suggest, this could translate into a noticeably larger jump in both CPU and GPU performance compared to typical year-on-year upgrades.
The biggest gains are expected on the graphics side, driven by architectural improvements and higher core counts. This positions the next Mac Studio as a true workstation-class upgrade, aimed at users working with demanding workloads such as 3D rendering, video production, and AI-related tasks. For professionals who rely on maximum performance, the Mac Studio appears to be one of the Macs in Apple’s 2026 lineup where waiting could make the most sense.
Apple M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro
Apple is also expected to refresh the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips relatively soon, potentially between late January and Apple’s spring event window.
Design-wise, the next MacBook Pro is not expected to change. The chassis, display technology, and overall form factor should remain identical to the current generation, with the primary upgrades coming from the new silicon. As mentioned above, Apple is likely working on changes to the chip architecture itself, including a clearer separation between CPU and GPU core layouts, which could allow for higher GPU core counts and improved graphics performance. This would particularly benefit workloads such as 3D rendering, video editing, and gaming.
Despite these internal changes, pricing is expected to remain largely unchanged, even as memory costs continue to rise across the industry. For users who rely on sustained performance and need a MacBook Pro in the near term, waiting for the M5 Pro and M5 Max models could make sense, especially if graphics or AI performance is a priority. For others, current M4 Pro and M4 Max models remain highly capable. You can grab a 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro on Amazon for $1,749 with 24 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD, while the 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pro with the same configuration is listed at $2,239.
Apple A18 Pro MacBook (entry-level MacBook revival)
One of the more unexpected Macs rumored for 2026 is an all-new entry-level MacBook powered by an A-series chip. According to recent leaks, Apple may revive the long-discontinued 12-inch MacBook, this time with a slightly larger display that still sits below the MacBook Air in size. The device is expected to use the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro series.
What makes this rumored MacBook notable is its expected starting price, which could be as low as $599. If accurate, this would position it directly against higher-end Chromebooks and entry-level Windows laptops. While performance would not rival Apple’s M-series Macs, the A18 Pro is expected to outperform the original M1 in everyday tasks. As per Notebookcheck data, the A18 Pro scores an average of around 3,460 points in Geekbench 6.5 single-core tests, compared to 2,363 points for the M1. In Geekbench 6.5 multi-core results, the A18 Pro averages roughly 8,546 points, while the M1 records about 8,622 points.
As for timing, some reports suggest this MacBook could arrive as early as the first half of 2026, potentially even before other M5-based Macs. If Apple does introduce it this soon, it may become one of the most important buying-decision wildcards in the lineup.
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