iOS 26.3 Release Candidate Unveils New Chips: M5 Max and M5 Ultra
Marko Zivkovic
February 4, 2026
The iOS 26.3 release candidate has sparked excitement among tech enthusiasts, revealing references to two unreleased Apple chips: the M5 Max and M5 Ultra. This discovery coincides with the upcoming release of macOS 26.3, which is expected to bring powerful upgrades to MacBook Pro models.
The iOS 26.3 RC build, released a week after the third developer beta, includes identifiers for these unannounced chips. While the update itself lacks new features, it hints at Apple's future hardware plans. The M5 Max chip, named H17C, follows Apple's naming pattern for past "Max" chips, such as the M1 Max (H13C) and M4 Max (H16C).
The M5 Ultra, labeled H17D, is also mentioned, aligning with Apple's naming scheme for previous Ultra chips. Interestingly, the iOS 26.3 RC doesn't reference the M5 Pro chip, identified as T6050 or H17S, leaving room for speculation about potential changes in Apple's internal naming system.
With the release of macOS 26.3 in February or March 2026, these new chips are set to power the next generation of MacBook Pro models, promising enhanced performance and capabilities. As Apple continues to innovate, the tech world eagerly awaits the official unveiling of these powerful chips.
