Rumor mill: The Apple M5 SoC series will feature multiple chips, including the M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra. They will be manufactured using TSMC's advanced N3P node, which entered the prototype phase earlier this year. The M5 and M5 Pro/Max are tipped to enter production in H1 2025 and H2 2025, respectively, while the Ultra will enter mass production in 2026. Apple insider and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed a slew of new information about Cupertino's upcoming M5-series processors. The new chips are expected to power a number of next-gen products, including MacBooks, iPads, and more.Kuo added that the M5 Pro, Max, and Ultra will use server-grade 2.5D packaging called SoIC-mH (System-on-Integrated-Chips Molding Horizontal), which will feature separate CPU and GPU designs to increase yield and improve thermal performance. Apple will be TSMC's largest SoIC customer, but other major chip designers, including AMD, AWS (Amazon), and Qualcomm, are also expected to use the new technology in their next-gen processors.The M5 lineup is expected to offer better performance than the M4 chips despite sticking to a 3nm process instead of upgrading to a 2nm node. They are also said to be more power efficient than their predecessors, meaning users can expect better battery life from their devices in addition to faster performance.Rumors suggest that the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and OLED iPad Pro will all get the M5 treatment between spring 2025 and H1 2026, but it's unclear whether the next-gen Mac mini will also be upgraded with the new chip at some stage. Devices powered by the flagship M5 Ultra are expected to hit store shelves in the second half of 2026.Apple launched its latest MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini powered by M4-series chips earlier this year, while the next-gen MacBook Air is expected to debut next spring. The Mac Studio and the Mac Pro with the M4 Ultra are tipped to launch later in 2025. The company is also expected to upgrade its AI servers to the M4 chips next year. These are currently powered by the M2 Ultra. // Related Stories