Mac Studio 2026: What's in the next update

The Mac Studio is entering its next phase. Apple is working on a new version, expected to be released in the first half of 2026. While not every detail is official, enough information has emerged regarding the design, chips, SSD speed, a potential Studio Display 2, price, and timeline to paint a fairly clear picture.

The Mac Studio has established itself as a powerful desktop in a very compact form factor. At 3.7 inches high and 7.7 inches wide, it is significantly smaller than the Mac Pro. At the same time, it seems as if Apple has put the Mac Pro on hold for the time being. This is precisely why the Mac Studio is increasingly seen as the future of Mac desktop computers: high performance, small footprint, and a clear focus on professional workloads.

Design: Probably everything will remain the same

Visually, there are no indications of a major change. There are no rumors of a design update, and Apple is not expected to redesign the casing.

The Mac Studio will therefore likely retain its familiar "Squircle" design: an Apple TV- or Mac mini-like box with rounded corners. In short: functional, compact, and unobtrusive.

M5 Max and M5 Ultra: The next level of performance

The most significant upgrade is likely to be internal. Two chip options are expected:

M5 Max
M5 Ultra

The M5 Max is expected to deliver significantly faster CPU and GPU performance than the regular M5 chip, which was released last October. The M5 Ultra is then expected to take it a step further and double the performance of the M5 Max.

Additionally, there's a concrete clue from the software side: Indications of the M5 Max and M5 Ultra have been discovered in the current release candidate version of iOS 26.3. This isn't an official product announcement, but it's often a good indicator of what hardware is being prepared.

Faster SSD: Possible upgrade from the MacBook Pro

There could also be changes to the storage. The M5 MacBook Pro models have already been updated with a faster SSD. Therefore, it's reasonable to assume that the Mac Studio and other Macs released in 2026 could also receive this SSD upgrade.

This may sound like a minor detail, but in practice it often makes a noticeable difference in large projects and with lots of data.

Studio Display 2: Possibly released at the same time as Mac Studio

Besides the Mac Studio, there's also talk of a display. The first Studio Display was introduced alongside the Mac Studio. Now there are rumors that a Studio Display 2 will be released this year. This opens up the possibility that Apple will unveil the new display directly alongside the new Mac Studio. The following points are being discussed regarding the Studio Display 2:

It should look like the current model (so no major redesign is expected).
It could get a faster refresh rate of 90 Hz.
It could have a mini LED display.
It could use an A19 chip.

Price: No indication of an increase

There are currently no rumors of price increases. Therefore, the most likely scenario is that the Mac Studio will continue to start at $1,999 or €2,299.

Timing: Release after the Mac update in spring

There is a more concrete indication of the timeframe. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg stated last weekend that the new Mac Studio models should arrive "not too long after the spring Mac update". This spring update is expected to include new MacBook Pro models.

A possible release date for these new MacBook Pros has even been suggested: they could be released as early as the week of March 2nd. This implies that the new Mac Studio would arrive sometime after that date, which aligns well with the expectation of "first half of 2026".

Mac Studio 2026: More power in a familiar package

The Mac Studio 2026 appears to be more of an evolution than a revolution: no new enclosure, but significantly more performance thanks to the M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors, likely complemented by a faster SSD. A Studio Display 2 could also be released, retaining its familiar exterior but offering upgrades with a 90Hz refresh rate, Mini-LED backlighting, and an A19 chip. There's no indication of price increases so far, and the timing strongly suggests a release after the Mac Spring Update, i.e., the week of March 2nd.

Ultimately, it seems Apple is further developing the Mac Studio as its central desktop platform, especially since the Mac Pro is currently taking a backseat. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Maarten Zeehandelaar)