Apple is seemingly poised to unveil its first significant product releases of the year, particularly the innovative M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models. Recent developments bolster this optimistic outlook.
Sign #1: Insights from the macOS 26.3 RC Update
Xcode 26.3 RC is here! Hopefully we get the rest of the software RC’s soon. If they come today/tomorrow, this could be a huge hint at M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros being announced tomorrow. In Jan 2023, macOS 13.2 RC was released one day after M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros were announced.https://t.co/T1UdU3q05U
— Vadim Yuryev (@VadimYuryev) February 3, 2026
Apple has introduced the release candidate (RC) build for Xcode 26.3, which enhances coding capabilities by incorporating tools like OpenAI’s Codex and Anthropic’s Claude Agent.
The timing of this release holds significant implications. It indicates that additional elements of the macOS 26.3 RC build may be launched shortly. Mark Gurman, a well-known industry insider, suggests that these developments point toward the impending introduction of the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside the new MacBook Pro models, expected to debut during the current macOS 26.3 update cycle.
Historically, there’s a noteworthy precedent: in January 2023, Apple unveiled the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro devices just one day following the macOS 12.3 RC release. This anecdotal correlation between RC updates and new device launches underscores a potential pattern we might see again.
Sign #2: Depletion of Current Inventory
Further supporting the anticipation, reports from various third-party Apple retailers indicate a severe reduction in stock for the existing MacBook Pro models.Current inventory levels are alarmingly low, pointing toward a significant shift in the product line.
Apple consistently synchronizes inventory levels with its partners, especially as major launch events approach. The severe depletion of existing models strongly suggests that the announcement of the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro devices is imminent.
As consumers await these exciting new releases, all signs indicate that Apple is gearing up for a significant event that could reshape their MacBook lineup in the coming days.