Apple's Mac Studio faces significant delays, with the next major refresh pushed back as a global shortage of memory and storage components continues to disrupt the company's product roadmap.
Current Mac Studio Supply & Configuration Changes
The current Mac Studio, released in early 2025 with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips, is facing severe supply constraints. Apple has already begun trimming configuration options.
RAM Configuration Reduction: Apple has removed the highest RAM upgrade options for the M3 Ultra Mac Studio. As of June 2025, the 256GB and 512GB unified memory configurations have been discontinued. The M3 Ultra Mac Studio is now only available with 96GB of unified memory.
Price Adjustments: Prior to the removal of the 256GB option, Apple increased the price for that upgrade. The cost to upgrade from 96GB to 256GB on an M3 Ultra machine rose from $1,600 to $2,000.
"Shipping estimates for some Mac Studio configurations extend into October 2025."
Supply Constraints: Apple has stated that both Mac mini and Mac Studio models are expected to remain supply constrained for several months. Shipping estimates for some configurations now extend into October 2025.
Cause of Shortages: Reports indicate the shortages are driven by global DRAM scarcity, increased demand from AI infrastructure providers, and a spike in demand for Mac Studio models used for running local AI agents. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman attributes the shortages to the device's popularity for such workloads.
Expected Release Timeline & Delays
Multiple sources report that the release of Apple’s next Mac Studio refresh has been postponed.
M5 Ultra Model (2026): The next planned update is for a Mac Studio featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. This model was initially expected for a mid-2025 launch (possibly at WWDC) but has reportedly been delayed. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that sources within Apple believe the M5-based Mac Studio will not ship until around October 2025 or later in 2026.
Current Delivery Estimates: Delivery estimates for current M3 Ultra models extend into October 2025, creating uncertainty about the launch window for the successor.
"Apple has reportedly tested support for up to 768GB of unified memory for the M5 Ultra Mac Studio, but supply constraints may prevent that option from being available at launch."
Broader Mac Product Line Impact
The memory shortage is affecting other planned Apple products, though reports vary on specific timelines.
Touchscreen MacBook Pro: Reports indicate that a redesigned MacBook Pro with an OLED display and touchscreen support, previously expected in late 2026 to early 2027, is now more likely to launch toward the end of that timeframe, potentially in early 2027.
Supply Chain Context: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has stated the delays are not related to software readiness, noting that touchscreen features for macOS are expected to be ready on schedule. The delays are attributed solely to component supply constraints. Apple has reportedly taken steps to secure components, including paying premiums for memory chips.
Long-Term Product Roadmap
Industry analyst Mark Gurman has outlined Apple's extended roadmap for the Mac Studio, indicating a significant gap before a major redesign.
2025-2026 (M5 Ultra Mac Studio): The immediate refresh is expected to be a chip upgrade only, featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors. The design is not expected to change significantly, maintaining current dimensions and Thunderbolt 5 support.
2028 (M7 Ultra Mac Studio): Apple is reportedly canceling higher-end chips in the M6 family. The next major Mac Studio update after the M5 model is planned for 2028, featuring an M7 Ultra chip. This model is expected to include new internal architecture and an improved heat sink for better thermal performance related to AI workloads. A full redesign is possible for this model but has not been confirmed.