Initial performance projections for Apple’s upcoming M5 Max silicon have surfaced, and the figures are remarkably ambitious. Early estimates suggest that the graphical prowess of the M5 Max will not only eclipse its predecessors but could directly challenge the mobile RTX 5070 Ti in raw power.
In benchmark simulations for Cyberpunk 2077 running at 1080p on Ultra settings, the M5 Max reportedly achieves 125 FPS, slightly outperforming the RTX 5070 Ti’s 120 FPS. The generational leap is equally striking in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, where the new chip hits 51 FPS compared to the M4 Max’s 33 FPS—a performance surge of nearly 50% year-over-year.
Industry analysts point out that it remains to be seen how much of this performance relies on upscaling technologies or how the architecture will manage intensive ray-tracing workloads. Regardless, the fact that a MacBook Pro could potentially trade blows with high-end gaming rigs serves as a formidable warning to industry leaders like Intel and NVIDIA.
If these forecasts materialize, the M5 Max’s expected debut in the first half of 2026 could significantly disrupt the hardware market. Apple has been steadily laying the groundwork to dominate high-end gaming, and it appears they are finally ready to seize the spotlight.
Source: iXBT.games