Apple is working on an updated version of the Mac Studio, and the new machine is expected to launch around October 2026. We've rounded up what we know about the next-generation Mac Studio so far.
Design
We're not expecting Apple to redesign the Mac Studio, and there haven't been rumors of a design update. The Mac Studio will continue to have an Apple TV or Mac mini-like squircle design with rounded corners.
The Mac Studio is a much more compact desktop than the Mac Pro, measuring in at 3.7 inches tall and 7.7 inches wide. Apple has apparently put the Mac Pro on the backburner, and the Mac Studio is seen as the future of Mac desktop computing.
M5 Max and M5 Ultra Chips
We're expecting the Mac Studio to adopt M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. The M5 Max chip will offer much faster CPU and GPU performance than the M5 chip that came out last October, and the M5 Ultra will double the M5 Max performance.
Signs of the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips were spotted in the recent iOS 26.3 release candidate.
Faster SSD
The M5 MacBook Pro models were updated with a faster SSD, so the Mac Studio and other Macs coming in 2026 could get the same refresh.
Pricing
There haven't been rumors of pricing increases for the Mac Studio, so it could continue to start at $1,999, but Apple may also bump up the minimum storage and the minimum pricing as it has done for some other updates like the MacBook Air.
Release Timing
Apple is postponing the launch of the next MacBook Studio due to global memory chip shortages. Rumors have previously suggested the machines will arrive in mid-2026, but now Apple may not ship them until October of 2026.
