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Apple Delays M5 Ultra Mac Studio to Oct 2026

6/30/2026

Summary

Apple Delays Launch

Apple postponed the M5 Ultra Mac Studio launch to October 2026 because of memory-chip supply constraints.
The 2026 model may support up to 768 GB of memory, though shortages could curb availability.
Apple will skip M6 Pro, Max and Ultra, offering only a base M6 before the 2028 M7 Ultra.
A maxed M5 Ultra with 768 GB could cost ¥1 million ($6,179) in Japan, with the chassis staying unchanged until a 2028 redesign.

Summary

Apple Splits Launches

Apple staggers iPhone 18 launches to fall 2026 and spring 2027, extending iPhone 17 sales.
Base iPhone 18 will start at $899, $100 more than iPhone 17’s $799 price.
iPhone Air 2 (V62) will have a dual-camera array with two 48-megapixel sensors, one ultra-wide.
Apple skips M6 Pro/Max/Ultra and focuses on M7 Ultra, signaling AI-driven desktops.
Analysts warn the fragmented launch cadence could confuse consumers while giving product lines breathing room.

Summary

Apple Shifts AI

Analysts The Verge and Tom’s Hardware say Apple’s chip plan shifts to on-device AI, ending the yearly refresh.
VideoCardz reports codenames Komodo for M6, Delos for M7, and Andros for M7 Pro/Max.
Bloomberg notes Apple has not announced M6 or M7 chips, that the M6 for MacBook Pro should have 12 GPU cores and 200 GB/s bandwidth, and that the missing M6 Pro/Max will hurt Macs, according to The Verge.

History

Historical Context

COVID-19 factory shutdowns in early 2020 triggered a global chip shortage, amplified by a September 2020 U.S. export ban on SMIC and a severe 2021 drought that cut Taiwan’s water supply for fabs. The crisis pushed lead times to 15 weeks and left TSMC controlling over 50 % of advanced wafer capacity, prompting manufacturers to revise product schedules.

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Apple Delays Launch

Apple postponed the M5 Ultra Mac Studio launch to October 2026 because of memory-chip supply constraints.
The 2026 model may support up to 768 GB of memory, though shortages could curb availability.
Apple will skip M6 Pro, Max and Ultra, offering only a base M6 before the 2028 M7 Ultra.
A maxed M5 Ultra with 768 GB could cost ¥1 million ($6,179) in Japan, with the chassis staying unchanged until a 2028 redesign.

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