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Laptop comparison

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5 Max)

Compare performance, display, memory, battery and ports.

Compared products
01Selected Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max 2,160 g. 16.2 inch screen. Apple M3 Max processor. Storage: SSD. 100 Wh of stored energy. KSh 392,000Out of Stock	02 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max 2,150 g. 16.2 inch screen. Apple M5 Max processor. Storage: SSD. 100 Wh of stored energy. KSh 560,000In Stock Choose options

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Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 ProKSh 415,000

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch, M5 ProKSh 339,000

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch, M5KSh 273,000

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M4 ProKSh 319,000

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M4 MaxKSh 475,000

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch, M4 MaxKSh 415,000

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch, M5 MaxKSh 535,000

2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max if you want longer rated battery life (22 hours per charge), more storage (2 TB) and Wi-Fi 7. Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max if you prefer Apple GPU up to 40 cores and Apple M3 Max.

Weight

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max: 2.16 kg
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max: 2.15 kg

Performance

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max: Apple M3 Max processor
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max: Apple M5 Max processor

Storage

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max: 1,024 GB storage in this version
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max: 2,048 GB storage in this version

Software

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max: Runs macOS
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max: Runs macOS Tahoe

Connections

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max: Wi-Fi 6E support
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max: Wi-Fi 7 support

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max

No clear advantage over the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max in the published specifications. Check the detailed comparison for features that matter to you.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max

Rated for up to 22 hours per charge (vs 15).
More storage: 2 TB (vs 1 TB).
Newer Wi-Fi 7 (vs Wi-Fi 6E).
Newer model: released in 2026 (vs 2023).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics

6 priorities selected.

How each product answers the selected priorities
Priority	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max
Performance	Apple M3 Max processor, Apple GPU up to 40 cores graphics	Apple M5 Max processor, 32 or 40-core GPU graphics
Memory	Up to 48 GB RAM	Up to 48 GB RAM
Storage	1 TB storage	2 TB storage
Display	16.2-inch Mini-LED display, 120 Hz, 254 ppi	16.2-inch display, 120 Hz
Battery life	Up to 15 hours per charge	Up to 22 hours per charge
Weight	2.16 kg	2.15 kg
Connections	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3	Wi-Fi 7
Software	macOS	macOS Tahoe
Stored energy	100 Wh of stored energy	100 Wh of stored energy
Power adapter	140W USB-C Power Adapter	USB-C Power Delivery: minimum 140 W
Charging cable	USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable, 2 m	USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable
Brightness	600 nits SDR	HDR: 1000 nits sustained, 1600 nits peak
Processor	Apple M3 Max	Apple M5 Max
GPU	Apple GPU up to 40 cores	32 or 40-core GPU (36GB: 32-core
Speakers	High-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers	Six-speaker system with Spatial Audio
USB-C	3 × USB-C ports	Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

Differences only

General

General specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Brand	Apple	Apple
Model	MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Max, 2023)	16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max
Announced	2023	2026
Form Factor	Clamshell	Clamshell
Color	Space Black, Silver	Silver, Black (Space Black finish)

Design

Design specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Dimensions	35.57 × 24.81 × 1.68 cm	355.7 × 248.1 × 16.8 mm
Weight	2.16 kg	2.15 kg
Build Materials	Aluminum enclosure	Aluminum unibody

Display

Display specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Display Size	16.2 inches	16.2 inches
Display Type	Liquid Retina XDR, mini-LED	Liquid Retina XDR
Resolution	3456 × 2234	3456 × 2234
Refresh Rate	Up to 120Hz ProMotion	ProMotion up to 120Hz
Brightness	600 nits SDR; 1000 nits sustained and 1600 nits peak HDR	HDR: 1000 nits sustained, 1600 nits peak; SDR: up to 1000 nits outdoors
Touchscreen	No	No
Display Features	254 ppi, 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, HDR	1 billion colours; P3 wide colour; True Tone; ProMotion up to 120 Hz

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Processor	Apple M3 Max	Apple M5 Max
CPU	14-core or 16-core CPU (configuration dependent)	18-core CPU
GPU	Apple GPU up to 40 cores	32 or 40-core GPU (36GB: 32-core; 48GB: 40-core)
Graphics Memory	Shared unified memory	Shared unified memory
RAM Type	Unified memory	Unified memory
Storage Type	SSD	SSD

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
RAM	36GB / 48GB	36GB or 48GB unified memory
Storage	1TB	2TB SSD

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Battery	100Wh lithium-polymer	100Wh lithium-polymer
Battery Life	Up to 15 hours wireless web; up to 22 hours video playback	Up to 22 hours video streaming
Charging	MagSafe 3 or USB-C charging; fast-charge capable	MagSafe 3 or USB-C charging
Power Adapter	140W USB-C Power Adapter	USB-C Power Delivery: minimum 140 W; fast charging with 140 W or higher

Software

Software specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Operating System	macOS	macOS Tahoe

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 6
Ethernet	No built-in Ethernet	No built-in Ethernet

Camera & Audio

Camera & Audio specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Webcam	1080p FaceTime HD camera	12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View
Speakers	High-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers	Six-speaker system with Spatial Audio
Microphones	Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming	Studio-quality three-microphone array
Audio Features	Wide stereo sound, Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, high-impedance headphone support	Spatial Audio

Keyboard & Input

Keyboard & Input specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Keyboard	Backlit Magic Keyboard	Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Keyboard Backlight	Yes	Yes
Trackpad	Force Touch trackpad with Multi-Touch gestures	Force Touch trackpad with Multi-Touch gestures
Fingerprint Reader	Touch ID	Touch ID
Stylus Support	No	No

Ports

Ports specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
USB-A	No	No
USB-C	3 × USB-C ports	Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports
Thunderbolt / USB4	Three Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 ports (up to 40Gb/s)	Three Thunderbolt 5 ports (up to 120Gb/s)
HDMI	HDMI port	HDMI
DisplayPort	DisplayPort output over Thunderbolt / USB-C	DisplayPort output over USB-C
Memory Card Reader	SDXC card slot	SDXC card reader
3.5mm Audio Jack	3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support	3.5mm headphone jack
Other Ports	MagSafe 3	MagSafe 3

Additional Features

Additional Features specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Security	Touch ID	Touch ID and Secure Enclave
Cooling	Active cooling system	—
Special Features	16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated media engine and external-display support	Apple Intelligence; hardware-accelerated media engine

What's in the Box

What's in the Box specifications comparison
Specification	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M3 Max	Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, M5 Max
Laptop	16-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max	16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max
Charging Cable	USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable, 2 m	USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable

Similarities

Both have 120 Hz displays.
Both have a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Both charge over USB-C.
Both have built-in microphones for calls.
Both connect over Bluetooth.
Both have keyboard backlight.

In summary

Choose the M5 Max configuration for longer rated battery life and more storage; the M3 Max configuration offers Apple graphics.

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