Get ready for a thrilling sneak peek into Apple's future! The iOS 26.3 release candidate has just dropped a major hint about upcoming Apple chips, and we're diving into the details right now!
Apple has a knack for keeping secrets, but sometimes, a little leak can reveal a lot. In the iOS 26.3 RC build, we've discovered references to two mysterious, unreleased Apple chips. The speculation? These could be the highly anticipated M5 Max and M5 Ultra. But here's where it gets controversial...
On Wednesday, a week after the third developer beta release, Apple unveiled the iOS 26.3 release candidate. While it may not seem like much on the surface, the software is packed with intriguing clues. Among the files, we found identifiers for unannounced Apple processing hardware, which is a big deal!
Now, here's where things get interesting. macOS 26.3 is closely tied to the upcoming MacBook Pro models, as we reported last year. So, it makes perfect sense that the iOS 26.3 RC mentions the M5 Max chip. But the code also hints at something even more powerful - the M5 Ultra. This chip might just be the star of an upgraded Mac Studio.
MacRumors has also weighed in, noting that the iOS 26.3 RC build refers to the T6051 chip, known as H17C. There's also the T6052 system-on-chip, or H17D. Based on Apple's naming conventions, the H17C is likely the M5 Max, following the pattern set by the M1 Max (H13C) and M4 Max (H16C).
But what about the H17D? Could this be the M5 Ultra? The evidence points in that direction, as the M1 Ultra through M3 Ultra chips all followed a similar naming scheme with the letter "D."
However, there's a twist. The iOS 26.3 RC is strangely silent about the T6050 or H17S chip, which is expected to be the M5 Pro. Has Apple shaken up its internal naming system for the M5 family? It's a possibility.
Regardless, we're expecting an exciting launch of upgraded MacBook Pro models with these new chips, alongside macOS 26.3, in February or March 2026.
And this is the part most people miss: Apple's naming conventions can be a real head-scratcher. So, what do you think? Are we on the right track with our chip predictions? Or has Apple thrown us a curveball with its naming system? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! We'd love to hear your take on this exciting development.
