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Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A
Published April 24, 2026
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What are all the differences between the 14" and 16" MacBook Pro "M5/M5 Pro/M5 Max" and the 14" and 16" MacBook Pro "M4/M4 Pro/M4 Max" replaced?
There are four stock "2025/2026" 14" MacBook Pro "M5/M5 Pro/M5 Max" models -- the MacBook Pro "M5" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14", "M5 Pro" 15 CPU/16 GPU 14", "M5 Pro" 18 CPU/20 GPU 14", and "M5 Max" 18 CPU/32 GPU 14" -- and three stock "2026" 16" MacBook Pro "M5 Pro/M5 Max" models -- the MacBook Pro "M5 Pro" 18 CPU/20 GPU 16", "M5 Max" 18 CPU/32 GPU 16", and "M5 Max" 18 CPU/40 GPU 16".
These "2025/2026 M5/M5 Pro/M5 Max" MacBook Pro models replaced the earlier "2024 M4/M4 Pro/M4 Max" MacBook Pro line. This includes four standard "2024" 14" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14", "M4 Pro" 12 CPU/16 GPU 14", "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU 14", and "M4 Max" 14 CPU/32 GPU 14" -- and three standard "2024" 16" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU 16", "M4 Max" 14 CPU/32 GPU 16", and "M4 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU 16".
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (14" Silver 2024 and 2025/2026 MacBook Pro)
The short answer is that the "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models are a simple "speed bump" update of their "2024" predecessors. The newer line has a newer and faster processor/graphics processor architecture as well as updated wireless connectivity and improved microphone functionality, but otherwise are effectively the same.
Of course, there are a number of different identifiers. It is worthwhile to understand the similarities, too.
External Differences
All of these models use "sealed" aluminum and glass cases with silver and "Space Black" color options. Naturally, the 16" models from each line are larger and heavier than their smaller 14" contemporaries.
Both lines use the same display, as well. The 14" and 16" MacBook Pro models from each series have LED-backlit "Liquid Retina XDR" displays -- 14.2" (3024x1964) and 16.2" (3456x2234), respectively. The displays are 254 ppi, provide up to 1000 nits of brightness for SDR content (outdoors), up to 1000 nits of sustained full-screen brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness displaying HDR content, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, as well as support for 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone, and ProMotion (for adaptive refresh rates). Both display sizes also can, or could, be custom configured with a reduced glare "nano-texture" display for an extra US$150.
Finally, all of these models include the same 12 megapixel "Center Stage" camera -- that automatically tracks and zooms to keep subjects in frame -- tucked in a "notch" at the upper portion of the display, "Studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming" as well as "Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum" modes for enhanced voice clarity, "high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers," backlit keyboard set in a black background with function keys, "Touch ID" for login, and big "Force Touch" trackpads.
Connectivity Differences
Connectivity is a notable, albeit subtle, point of differentiation between the "2024" and "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models.
All models from both lines have an HDMI port, a 3.5" analog headphone jack "with advanced support for high-impedance headphones," an SDXC-capable SD card slot, and a magnet-equipped "MagSafe 3" power connector.
However, the entry-level models from both lines -- the MacBook Pro "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14" and MacBook Pro "M5" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14" -- have three Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s) ports whereas all other models from both lines have three significantly faster Thunderbolt 5 ports (120 Gb/s).
External display support is excellent for all of these notebooks, but higher-end models from both lines support more displays with the "2026 M5 Max" MacBook pro models supporting the most of all.
Wireless connectivity is a bit different, too. All "2024" MacBook Pro models and the entry-level "2025 M5" MacBook Pro have Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 whereas the newer "2026 M5 Pro/M5 Max" models all support the newer Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 standards.
Likewise, power also is modestly different between the "2024" and "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models.
The two least expensive "2024" and "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14" and MacBook Pro "M4 Pro" 12 CPU/16 GPU 14" as well as the MacBook Pro "M5" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14" and MacBook Pro "M5 Pro" 15 CPU/16 GPU 14" -- are bundled with a 70W USB-C power adapter that is not capable of fast charging.
Higher-end 14" models from both lines ship, or shipped, with a 96W USB-C power adapter that is capable of fast charging and the 16" models all ship, or shipped, with a 140W USB-C power adapter that also is capable of fast charging.
Identification Differences
It is very easy to confuse the "2024" and "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models. Apple did not even bother to update the box art or default desktop pattern between lines. Accordingly, specific identifiers are critical for identification.
The easiest identifiers to use for these specific models are the Model Numbers, externally, and Model Identifiers in software.
Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com diligently has hand documented all of these details from the notebooks themselves for your convenience:
MacBook Pro Model |
Model No |
Model ID |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can identify these notebooks by other information, too.
Internal Differences
Internally, although there are specific part differences, the "2024" and "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models are similar. The later models use a faster CPU/GPU architecture and have more standard RAM on many models, as well. All of these notebooks have RAM and storage that is onboard and that cannot be upgraded after purchase.
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the "2024" and "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details:
| 14" 2024 | 16" 2024 | 14" 2025/2026 | 16" 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size: | 14.2" | 16.2" | 14.2" | 16.2" |
| Resolution: | 3024x1964 | 3456x2234 | 3024x1964 | 3456x2234 |
| Architecture: | M4 M4 Pro M4 Max |
M4 Pro M4 Max |
M5 M5 Pro M5 Max |
M5 Pro M5 Max |
| Processor Cores: | 10-16 | 14-16 | 10-18 | 18 |
| Graphics Cores: | 16-40 | 20-40 | 10-40 | 20-40 |
| Std. RAM: | 16-48 GB* | 24-48 GB* | 16-48 GB** | 24-48 GB** |
| Max. RAM: | 32-128 GB* | 48-128 GB* | 32-128 GB** | 36-128 GB** |
| Std. Storage: | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB | 1 TB, 2 TB |
| Max. Storage: | 2-8 TB† | 4-8 TB† | 2-8 TB† | 4-8 TB† |
| Thunderbolt: | 3 (TB 4/5) | 3 (TB 5) | 3 (TB 4/5) | 3 (TB 5) |
| Fast Charge: | No/Yes‡ | Yes | No/Yes‡ | Yes |
| Wi-Fi: | 6E | 6E | 6E/7 | 7 |
| Bluetooth: | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3/6 | 6 |
| Voice Isolation: | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Model No: | A3112 A3401 A3185 |
A3403 A3186 |
A3434 A3426 A3427 |
A3428 A3429 |
| Model ID: | Mac16,1 Mac16,8 Mac16,6 |
Mac16,7 Mac16,5 |
Mac17,2 Mac17,9 Mac17,7 |
Mac17,8 Mac17,6 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1599 US$1799 US$1999 US$2399 US$3199 |
US$2499 US$2899 US$3499 US$3999 |
US$1599 US$1799 US$1999 US$2199 US$2599 US$2799 US$3599 |
US$2699 US$3099 US$3899 US$4399 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$2099 C$2349 C$2599 C$3249 C$4349 |
C$3299 C$3799 C$4649 C$5299 |
C$2099 C$2349 C$2699 C$2999 C$3599 C$3899 C$4999 |
C$3599 C$4199 C$5399 C$6199 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £1599 £1799 £1999 £2399 £3199 |
£2499 £2899 £3499 £3999 |
£1599 £1799 £1999 £2199 £2599 £2799 £3599 |
£2699 £3099 £3899 £4399 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$2499 A$2799 A$3099 A$3999 A$4599 |
A$3999 A$4599 A$5699 A$6499 |
A$2499 A$2799 A$3099 A$3499 A$4099 A$4499 A$5799 |
A$4299 A$4899 A$6299 A$6999 |
| Intro Price (SG): | S$2199 S$2499 S$2799 S$3349 S$4549 |
S$3499 S$4099 S$4999 S$5749 |
S$2199 S$2499 S$2799 S$2999 S$3599 S$3899 S$5099 |
S$3649 S$4249 S$5449 S$6199 |
* The "2024" MacBook Pro models could be custom configured with more RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. The "M4 Pro" processor cannot support more than 48 GB of RAM. If configured with an "M4 Max" processor, the minimum RAM option is 36 GB and the maximum can be as much as 128 GB depending on the specific model.
** The "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models can be custom configured with more RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. The "M5 Pro" processor cannot support more than 64 GB of RAM. If configured with an "M5 Max" processor, the minimum RAM option is 36 GB and the maximum is 128 GB depending on the specific model.
† All "2024" and "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models have storage that cannot be upgraded later.
‡ The two least expensive models in both lines are not equipped with a power adapter capable of "Fast Charging" by default.
For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each Mac as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryMac.com.
So, are the "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models a significant upgrade? Are the "2024" MacBook Pro models still worth considering?
Compared to their predecessors, the "2025/2026" MacBook Pro models are (1) around 25% faster in multicore tasks than their respective counterparts in the "2024" MacBook Pro line and (2) have more modern wireless connectivity.
A 25% bump in performance in a single year is significant, but the "2024" MacBook Pro models definitely remain well worth consideration, especially given discount prices on the used market.
In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.
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