Software leaks point to the first Apple Silicon “iMac Pro,” among other devices - Ars Technica
Apple’s own software may have quietly revealed Apple’s next wave of hardware—headlined by a high-end Apple Silicon iMac that looks every bit like a modern iMac Pro.
What leaked and where
Two separate software clues surfaced (via MacRumors): a pre-release iOS 26 build and files from a kernel debug kit. Together, they reference a raft of in‑testing devices—and most intriguingly, an iMac powered by an M5 Max chip.
The headline: an M5 Max iMac
- Internal identifier: iMac J833c on platform H17C
- Chip: M5 Max (faster than M5 and M5 Pro; below the rumored M5 Ultra)
Why it matters: This could be the long-awaited replacement for the discontinued 27-inch iMac (retired in 2022) and the closest spiritual successor to the 2017 iMac Pro that never saw an Apple Silicon follow-up.
What to expect from performance
The current M4 Max offers up to 16 CPU cores, up to 40 GPU cores, and 36GB–128GB unified memory. An M5 Max iMac would be expected to meet or exceed those specs—well within thermal limits for an all-in-one desktop. A 2026 launch now looks plausible given its presence in internal software.
Other devices spotted in the software
- New Apple TV
- HomePod mini 2
- New AirTags and AirPods
- M4 iPad Air
- 12th‑gen iPad to replace the current A16 model
- Next-gen iPhones (including 17e, 18, and a rumored foldable)
- New Studio Display
- New smart home hardware
- M5 updates for MacBook Air, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and other MacBook Pros
- A lower-cost MacBook reportedly meant to replace the Walmart $599 M1 MacBook Air
Why a pro iMac still matters
During the Intel era, the 27-inch iMac hit a sweet spot: powerful multi-core CPUs, midrange GPUs, and a color-accurate 5K display—ideal for creative pros. In the Apple Silicon era, the iMac reverted to a consumer-friendly machine. Today’s M4 iMac is quick for everyday tasks but lags pro desktops like the M4 Pro Mac mini and the Mac Studio.
You can build an iMac alternative with a Mac mini or Mac Studio plus Apple’s 27-inch 5K Studio Display or 32-inch 6K Pro Display XDR—but that combo can’t match the all-in-one simplicity, and Apple’s current standalone displays lack more modern panel tech like mini-LED or OLED and ProMotion refresh rates.
A healthy dose of caution
References in internal builds mean Apple is actively testing hardware, not that it will ship. Timelines can slip—or plans can be canceled altogether. Still, for anyone hoping for a true iMac Pro successor, these leaks are a meaningful sign that Apple is exploring exactly that.