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 expected to find their way into the compact case in mid-2026. Externally, nothing will change, but under the hood, there will be significant upgrades.
The Mac mini is Apple's most affordable desktop Mac and also one of its most versatile. With a starting price of €699, its M4 chip delivers performance that was reserved for high-end computers just a few years ago. In our Mac buying guide: Mac mini vs. Mac Studio vs. iMac, we've already compared these three desktop Macs in detail.
However, the current Mac mini is already sold out or only available in limited quantities at several retailers – a classic sign that an update is imminent. The M5 chip is already used in the MacBook Air M5 and the MacBook Pro. The Mac mini is next in line. This article summarizes all the current rumors.
The most important points in brief
| Detail | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Models | M5 and M5 Pro |
| Release | Mid-2026, likely for WWDC in June |
| Design | No changes – the 2024 redesign remains. |
| Starting price | Starting at €699, possibly €799 with double the base storage |
| 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% more CPU performance, up to 45% 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
Storage capacity could change: Apple has doubled the base storage on several MacBook models to 512 GB. The current Mac mini still starts at 256 GB. A jump to 512 GB would be logical, but could raise the starting price from €699 to €799.
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?
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg has placed the Mac mini on Apple's product roadmap for mid-2026. WWDC in June is considered the most likely timeframe – along with the Mac Studio M5.
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.
The Mac mini is already difficult to obtain or sold out at Amazon and other retailers. This is further evidence that Apple is deliberately reducing its inventory before the new model arrives.
Price: Will the Mac mini remain affordable?
The current Mac mini starts at €699 (M4) or €1,649 (M4 Pro). Apple could keep the prices stable. However, if the base storage increases to 512 GB, an adjustment to €799 would be conceivable – as already happened with the MacBook Air.
| Model | Current price | Expected price |
|---|---|---|
| Mac mini M5 | 699 € | €699–799 |
| Mac mini M5 Pro | 1.649 € | €1,649–1,799 |
Mac mini: Who should wait?
The Mac mini with M5 is ideal for anyone looking for a compact, quiet, and powerful desktop – without breaking the bank. 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: If you're planning to buy a new Mac mini, wait until WWDC in June. The update is considered virtually guaranteed. 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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