A new report from AppleInsider appears to have unveiled Apple’s next Mac roadmap through macOS Tahoe, offering one of the clearest looks yet at what’s to come in 2025 and 2026. Internal identifiers, build numbers, and test versions of macOS Tahoe suggest that Apple’s hardware testing cycle has already progressed to its next major milestone, with the M5 MacBook Pro seemingly on the verge of release.
According to the report, a Mac carrying the identifier J704 is currently being tested with macOS Tahoe 26.0.2, marking it as the likely base M5 MacBook Pro. This model succeeds the M4 version, codenamed J604, which launched in late 2024. Retail constraints on the current M4 lineup, along with a recent FCC filing referencing an unreleased MacBook Pro, further reinforce that a refresh could arrive before the end of 2025.
Looking ahead, the leak also provides insight into Apple’s early 2026 plans. The next-generation M5 MacBook Air is expected to debut with macOS 26.2, likely in the first quarter of the year. Internal model codes J813 and J815 correspond to 13-inch and 15-inch variants, retaining current dimensions but featuring upgraded performance and efficiency. Apple’s typical release pattern supports this timeline: the M4 MacBook Air launched in March 2025 following testing with macOS 15.2 and shipping with version 15.3.
Following that, Apple reportedly plans to roll out the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models with macOS 26.3. These higher-end configurations, identified as J714 and J716, will again come in 14-inch and 16-inch versions and are projected for early 2026. Historically, Apple’s Pro and Max MacBook updates have aligned with January or February launches, as seen with the M2 and M3 families.
Beyond laptops, macOS 26.4 hints at a broader Mac refresh in mid-2026, including new Mac mini and Mac Studio models, possibly joined by an updated iMac. The identifiers J873s, J873g, J775c, J775d, and J833ct correspond to these upcoming desktops, indicating simultaneous development. The files also reference J804, which may represent the next step after the base M5 MacBook Pro.
This staged rollout aligns with Apple’s methodical approach to hardware development, pairing each product wave with a corresponding macOS update. The progression from macOS 26.0 to 26.4 matches earlier cycles like Ventura and Sonoma, where each minor release introduced support for newly tested devices.
If the details hold true, 2026 will mark a significant expansion of Apple’s M5 family before the rumored M6 MacBook Pro refresh. Those future models, said to carry identifiers K114 and K116, could introduce thinner designs and OLED displays, highlighting Apple’s gradual transition to next-generation Mac hardware.
With macOS Tahoe development now tied closely to these identifiers, it’s clear that Apple’s internal testing already reflects an ambitious two-year roadmap. The upcoming M5 MacBook Pro could arrive any time between late 2025 and early 2026, setting the stage for one of the most comprehensive Mac refresh cycles in recent years.
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