The Mac mini was completely redesigned in 2024 – and has been one of the most popular Macs ever since. Now, the next update is on the horizon: M5 and M5 Pro chips are set to find their way into the compact enclosure. Externally, nothing will change, but there will be significant upgrades under the hood. However, due to the global memory chip shortage, the launch has been delayed – and the pricing structure has already changed considerably.
The Mac mini is Apple's most affordable desktop Mac and also one of the most versatile. In our Mac buying guide: Mac mini vs. Mac Studio vs. iMac, we've already compared the three desktop Macs in detail.
The situation surrounding the Mac mini has recently worsened considerably: Apple has completely removed the 256GB version from its lineup, and the starting price is now €949. This is due to the global memory chip shortage, which Tim Cook explicitly confirmed during the Q2 earnings call. The M5 chip is already used in the MacBook Air M5 and the MacBook Pro. The Mac mini is next in line – but significantly later than originally expected. This article summarizes all the current rumors.
Mac mini M5: The most important points in brief
| Detail | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Models | M5 and M5 Pro |
| Release | Earliest autumn 2026, more likely October or later |
| Design | No changes – the 2024 redesign remains. |
| Starting price | Starting at €949 (512 GB SSD), possible further increase due to RAM shortages |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 expected via the N1 chip |
Design: Compact stays compact
The Mac mini underwent a major redesign in October 2024. The enclosure shrank to 12.7 × 12.7 × 5.0 cm – significantly smaller than all its predecessors. It also gained two front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack.
This design will remain unchanged with the M5 update. Apple only redesigns the Mac mini's enclosure every few years, and the current one is less than two years old. The focus is clearly on the internal components.
Chip: M5 and M5 Pro
M5
The base M5 chip has been in production since October 2025 and is used in the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air M5. It features a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU with Neural Accelerator in each core, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Compared to the M4, Apple promises up to 15 percent more CPU performance, up to 45 percent faster graphics, and four times the AI performance.
For most users – office work, streaming, photo editing, light video editing – the M5 is more than sufficient.
M5 Pro
The M5 Pro is based on Apple's new Fusion architecture, where the CPU and GPU are on separate dies. It offers an 18-core CPU (6 supercores + 12 performance cores) and a GPU with up to 20 cores. As with its predecessor, the M5 Pro is expected to be the more powerful option for professional workflows in the Mac mini: software development, video editing, 3D work, and AI workloads.
The M5 Pro supports up to 64 GB of unified memory with a memory bandwidth of up to 307 GB/s. A key difference: unlike the base M5, the M5 Pro includes Thunderbolt 5 and the N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7.
RAM and Storage Space
The current Mac mini starts with 16 GB of Unified Memory – double that of its predecessor. This is likely to be retained in the M5 model.
- M5: 16 GB, configurable to 24 GB or 32 GB
- M5 Pro: 24 GB, configurable to 48 GB or 64 GB
The storage situation has recently shifted significantly: In May 2026, Apple discontinued the 256GB configuration of the Mac mini worldwide. The M4 now starts at 512GB and €949 – a €250 increase over the previous entry-level model. This is due to the global memory chip shortage triggered by the massive AI server expansion at hyperscalers like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. Apple already announced "significantly higher storage costs" for the current quarter in its Q2 2026 earnings call.
For the Mac mini M5, this means that a return to the 256GB version is virtually impossible. The entry-level model will likely also be 512GB – possibly with further price adjustments if the shortage persists.
SSD speeds are also expected to increase. Apple has already used faster SSDs in the M5 MacBook Pro, and the Mac mini is expected to adopt the same technology.
Ports and Connectivity
The connections are expected to remain identical to the current model:
- Rear panel: Three Thunderbolt ports (USB-C), two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet (configurable to 10 Gbit), power connector
- Front: Two USB-C ports, 3.5 mm headphone jack
The biggest difference concerns connectivity: The current Mac mini uses Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The M5 update is expected to feature Apple's N1 chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The M5 Pro model will also likely feature Thunderbolt 5 instead of Thunderbolt 4 – just like the MacBook Pro M5.
One open question remains: will the base M5 model also receive the N1 chip or stick with Wi-Fi 6E? The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M5 lacks the N1 chip, while the MacBook Air M5 includes it. Therefore, the Mac mini could potentially receive Wi-Fi 7 in both versions.
Release: When will the new Mac mini be released?
A previously anticipated unveiling at WWDC in June 2026 has become highly unlikely following recent developments. According to Bloomberg, Apple has already officially postponed the Mac Studio M5 to October 2026 – due to the global memory chip shortage. A similar situation appears to be unfolding with the Mac mini.
Tim Cook also confirmed during the Q2 2026 earnings call that Mac mini and Mac Studio are currently experiencing significant supply shortages – triggered by surprisingly high demand as platforms for AI and agent workloads. Apple expects it will take "several months" for supply and demand to rebalance. Adding to the problem is the global DRAM and NAND shortage, caused by the massive expansion of AI servers, which, according to industry reports, is not expected to ease noticeably until late 2027 at the earliest.
A realistic scenario: Apple could unveil the Mac mini alongside the Mac Studio in October 2026 – this would be the date by which Apple could achieve a controlled launch through inventory planning and supply chain reorganization, even without the DRAM crisis actually resolving. It's also possible that Apple could release the Mac mini a few weeks later to prioritize the already scarce components for the Mac Studio. A launch as late as early 2027 is not out of the question, but is considered the most pessimistic scenario.
Evidence of M5 and M5 Pro variants of the Mac mini has already been discovered in leaked Apple files. Device IDs have also surfaced, suggesting two configurations – analogous to the current model.
Price: How high does the Mac mini climb?
With the discontinuation of the 256GB variant, the starting point for the M5 has fundamentally changed. The M4 Mac mini now starts at €949 (512GB), while the M4 Pro remains unchanged at €1,649. A return to the old €699 entry-level price for the M5 is practically impossible – the global memory chip shortage and Apple's own indications of higher component costs suggest that the price will likely stabilize at the current level or even increase slightly.
| Model | Current price | Expected price M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Mac mini M5 | €949 (512 GB) | from €949 |
| Mac mini M5 Pro | 1.649 € | €1,649–1,799 |
While the Mac mini remains Apple's cheapest desktop, the entry price has become noticeably higher – and this is unlikely to be reversed with the M5 model.
Mac mini: When the wait is worth it
The Mac mini with M5 is ideal for anyone looking for a compact, quiet, and powerful desktop. Improvements in GPU performance, AI capabilities, and connectivity (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6) make the upgrade particularly attractive for users of older models.
Users of an M4 Mac mini will hardly notice the difference in everyday use. However, those still using an M1 or M2 Mac mini will experience a significant generational leap with the M5. The M5 Pro variant will be of interest to developers, creative professionals, and anyone who needs more RAM, Thunderbolt 5, and higher multi-core performance.
Our recommendation: Anyone wanting to buy a new Mac mini should expect a launch in autumn 2026 – a summer launch at WWDC has become highly unlikely. Those hoping for the low €699 entry price will have to reconsider and should keep an eye on any remaining M4 stock at German retailers.
The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: mingman / DepositPhotos.com)
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