Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld explores a theory that suggests Apple may use a 2.5D chip package to create a unified design for the M5 Pro and M5 Max, potentially revolutionizing the MacBook Pro’s architecture.
- This approach could eliminate the need for separate chip designs and make the M5 Ultra a monolithic die, eliminating the current Ultrafusion technology.
- Consolidation can lower Apple’s manufacturing costs through simplified manufacturing while offering different levels of performance through core and RAM variations.
On Wednesday, Apple released OS 26.3 Release Candidates to developers, and not long after, mentions of the M5 Max and M5 Ultra were found in the code. However, references to the M5 Max Pro have yet to be reported, which makes us wonder about the state of the chip. Is this the nature of beta software and will the M5 Pro be released later? Was it a mistake? Or is Apple dropping the M5 Pro chip from the lineup?
Vadim Yuryev of Max Tech on YouTube has a theory that actually makes a lot of sense. Yuryev speculates that Apple is now using 2.5D chip packaging, which would enable a single chip design for the M5 Pro and M5 Max. So if the two chips are based on the same design, there is no need for two separate references in the operating system code. The M5 Pro is essentially the M5 Max, but with fewer CPU cores, fewer GPU cores, and a lower upper limit on supported RAM.
With previous M-series chips, the Pro and Max versions required different designs. However, reports state that Apple is working with TSMC to implement the SoIC-mH process for the M5 Pro/Max. This process is different from 2.5D, which TSMC also offers. Wccftech believes that these two processes are combined to help reduce costs. The 2.5D process is a process used by other chip manufacturers such as AMD and Nvidia.
Yuryev also speculates that the new architecture would “allow the M5 Ultra to be built as a monolithic multi-chip die,” eliminating the need for ultrafusion, which essentially acted as a bridge between the two M5 Max chips.
Whatever process Apple and TSMC use, Apple now only needs to create one logic board design. This is a cost saver for Apple, and given Apple’s supply chain issues, it could only help in determining the prices customers will have to pay.
Apple is expected to launch the new M5 MacBook Pros soon, possibly before the end of February.