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 comes just a week after the third developer beta of iOS 26.3 was released, indicating that Apple is gearing up for a major software update.
The iOS 26.3 RC build, while seemingly lacking new features, contains crucial files that hint at Apple's upcoming hardware advancements. These identifiers suggest that the M5 Max chip is destined for the next-generation MacBook Pro models, aligning with AppleInsider's 2025 predictions. Furthermore, the code hints at the M5 Ultra chip, which might be unveiled alongside an upgraded Mac Studio.
MacRumors highlights an intriguing detail: the T6051 chip, known as H17C, is mentioned in the iOS 26.3 RC. Additionally, the T6052 system-on-chip, labeled H17D, could be the M5 Ultra. Apple's naming conventions support this assumption, as the M1 Ultra through M3 Ultra chips all used the 'D' suffix.
Interestingly, the iOS 26.3 RC lacks references to the T6050 or H17S chip, which is expected to be the M5 Pro. This absence raises questions about Apple's internal naming system for the M5 family. Despite this, the release candidate's inclusion of M5 Max and M5 Ultra identifiers strongly suggests that these chips will power the upcoming MacBook Pro models, with a potential launch in February or March 2026.
