Apple is rumored to be working on a new high-performance M4 Ultra chip for the next-generation Mac Pro, according to code references found in macOS beta software. The discovery suggests that the company is preparing to refresh its most powerful desktop with updated Apple Silicon, likely bringing improved performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities.
The M4 Ultra would follow Apple’s current M2 Ultra chip, which powers the 2023 Mac Pro. This new chip is expected to be part of the M4 family that Apple began rolling out earlier this year with the M4 in the iPad Pro. The family is rumored to focus heavily on enhanced machine learning performance, improved GPU architecture, and better efficiency through its second-generation 3-nanometer manufacturing process.
References to the M4 Ultra were reportedly spotted in Apple’s Xcode beta by Macworld, indicating that development for the chip is already underway. This aligns with Apple’s typical chip release pattern, where “Ultra” variants arrive as the highest-end option, created by combining two “Max” chips through Apple’s UltraFusion architecture. If this holds true for the M4 Ultra, users can expect significant improvements in multi-core CPU performance and graphics power, which would benefit demanding workflows like 3D rendering, advanced video production, and AI-driven content creation.
The Mac Pro has historically been positioned as Apple’s most modular and expandable Mac, but with the transition to Apple Silicon, some flexibility was lost compared to the Intel era. A next-generation Mac Pro with the M4 Ultra could help address performance demands from professional users, especially as macOS and pro apps become more AI-focused. Apple could also introduce further optimizations to memory bandwidth and unified memory capacity, enabling even more resource-intensive tasks.
While there is no official release timeline, industry watchers speculate that the updated Mac Pro could debut in 2025, potentially alongside refreshed Mac Studio models. If Apple follows its usual pattern, the M4 Ultra Mac Pro could be announced during a major event, such as WWDC, to appeal to the professional creative community.
If accurate, this would mark the first Mac Pro refresh since 2023 and reinforce Apple’s commitment to advancing its in-house silicon roadmap. With the M4 Ultra, Apple would be setting the stage for another leap in desktop computing power, potentially making the Mac Pro an even more attractive choice for studios and enterprises with extreme performance needs.
