Apple's M5 chip is rumored to be in mass production - but we're still waiting for M4 MacBook Airs - Related to but, new, chrome, m5, these

Apple's M5 chip is rumored to be in mass production - but we're still waiting for M4 MacBook Airs

Apple is believed to be stepping up the production of its M5 chipset.

It's currently slated for later this year or early 2026.

It's reported to stick with the TSMC 3nm process, with Apple yet to make a move to TSMC 2nm, which offers even greater power efficiency.

We're still awaiting Apple's rumored M4 Ultra chip to be unveiled and complete the M4 family later this year (plus M4-powered MacBook Airs are rumored to launch soon) - but it looks like the Cupertino organization is already looking at what lies ahead for its future devices.

(), Apple's M5 chipset is already under mass production and could arrive as early as this year. These reports arrive amid speculation from Mark Gurman (who is known for his reliable Apple leaks) regarding the M4 Ultra chip, which is expected to outdo the M4 Max's 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU.

The new rumors also suggest that the M5 base model is currently the main focus during mass production, with the premium models such as the M5 Pro and M5 Max set for later. Apple is reported to stick with the use of TSMC 3nm (nanometer process technology) which allows for good power efficiency and performance with smaller transistors, as seen in current M4 chips - Apple supposedly won't be using TSMC 2nm yet.

While we've yet to see what the M5 chipset will have to offer, we are even seeing rumors that hint that the M6 MacBook Pro (expected for 2026) could feature the biggest redesign yet, with an OLED screen - and of course, a much faster chip with the M6, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

Apple, please take gaming even more seriously this time around...

Now, I'm not suggesting that Apple hasn't already made an attempt to appeal to gamers (especially with the recent M4 chips) and the ever-growing library of AAA games that are now compatible with Mac hardware - but I really want the M5 chipset and future processors to advanced cater toward gamers.

This isn't just by providing stronger chips alone, and continuing to improve macOS' ability to handle games, but there is one way that Apple could win over new gamers - and that is with handheld gaming PCs. Seeing how powerful the M series of chips have been for Macs, it’s undeniable how much of a powerhouse this would be if stacked up against the current handheld gaming devices we already have like the MSI Claw 8 AI+ or the Asus ROG Ally X.

Apple clearly has experience in handheld gaming, with the M4 iPad Pro able to run AAA games, plus modern iPhone games are getting increasingly ambitious. The iPad Pro is arguably the closest we’ve got to a Apple handheld gaming console or PC so far, and it would be even enhanced if it ran macOS instead of iPadOS - as it would give us access to Steam and multiple other desktop games.

While there would be a lot to be done on the part of game developers in terms of porting games to Mac devices at launch (something Apple has been working hard to make easier, to be fair), I think the Cupertino business could steal the spotlight with ease. I guess it's just a matter of whether it wants it enough...

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Leica's new iPhone camera grip could have been great, but has 3 frustrating drawbacks

Leica has revealed a new MagSafe camera grip for iPhones.

The LUX Grip has physical controls like a shutter button and settings dial.

It costs $329 / £260 (around AU$515) and comes with other limitations.

As a photographer and TechRadar's former cameras editor my main criticism of the best camera phones has always been their handling – they're still just no fun to shoot with. Leica has now joined a growing number of camera grip accessories that aim to fix that, but some unfortunate drawbacks have dented the new LUX Grip's appeal.

At first glance, the LUX Grip looks like a great addition to any MagSafe iPhone (which includes any model from the iPhone 12 onwards). It manages to look both stylish and functional, with a tube-like design that can naturally be flipped to suit both right- and left-handed shooters. It's so nicely designed I can even forgive Leica calling it "the perfect symbiosis between Leica and iPhone".

Like the best mirrorless cameras, there's a mechanical two-stage shutter release (almost certainly more effective than the iPhone 16's flawed Camera Control), among other controls. Those include a settings dial, plus two customizable function buttons for those who like to shoot in manual. As much as I like the idea of Apple's Camera Control button, physical controls make way more sense on something like the LUX Grip than an 8mm-thick glass slab.

But then come those frustrating drawbacks. Firstly, and most annoyingly, the LUX Grip is only compatible with Leica's own LUX app. That's right, you can't use it with Apple's own Camera app (or any of the other best camera apps), unlike alternatives like the ShiftCam ProGrip or Fjorden Grip. Leica actually now owns Fjorden, so you'd have thought it'd follow suit with its compatibility, but strangely, it did not.

That wouldn't be so bad, but the Leica LUX app only offers basic capabilities before requiring a subscription. Okay, you get a one-year Pro subscription to the app when you buy the LUX Grip, but beyond that, it needs a hefty monthly fee to unlock the full functionality you'd need when buying a grip that is this expensive.

Lastly, there's the price. Surely a phone accessory that costs $329 / £260 (around AU$515) should unlock longer or unlimited access to an app that costs $[website] / £[website] / AU$[website] a month? I get that this is Leica, and the app does have some fascinating functions (like computationally recreating classic Leica lenses). Still, these all feel like unnecessary barriers to what is otherwise a compelling accessory.

The Leica LUX Grip might be blighted by frustrating drawbacks, but I think Leica is onto something here – and there's a chance it could still open the brand up to a whole new audience if it changes tack a little.

I've been fascinated by the idea of smartphones computationally replicating the look of classic camera lenses since portrait modes started maturing to today's levels. Of course, this is dangerous territory for most camera giants, who still want to sell us real cameras and lenses, but Leica is easily in the best position to experiment.

Like Ferrari, the German brand operates in a world that's almost entirely detached from the market realities that others have to negotiate. Leica camera buyers are also in a different Venn diagram from anyone who'd buy the LUX Grip, which is why the artificial barriers like limited third-party app compatibility and pricey app subscriptions feel a bit unnecessary.

I'm sure Leica could make a camera grip like this with a lower price tag and a multi-year app subscription that gives people who'd never buy a Noctilux-M 50mm f/[website] lens a taste of its vintage magic on their iPhone. Exclusivity is part of the Leica brand, and perhaps I've underestimated the development costs of the LUX Grip and app, but if they could be nudged in a more affordable direction, I could still see them in my iPhone's future.

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These tiny security updates make Google Chrome so much better

Chrome’s security aspects are simple, but as of late, they’ve been improving at a faster rate. Google wants you to know it, too—the most current version of its What’s New page highlights two improvements that aren’t strictly fresh, but likely new to many consumers.

Sharing with only a family group (a free feature) is restrictive, but Google’s seeming logic makes sense—arguably, you’d really only share passwords with family members. Or at least, anyone close enough to you to be considered family.

(Still, I’d love to see Google add the option to share with other specific Google clients, like for Google Drive documents. Occasionally, I need to share a password with someone who isn’t close enough to be added to a family group. Plus with only six slots available, group members sometimes have to be chosen carefully.).

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Also newish is the ability to manually verify use of your stored payment info. Previously, Google would ask for your credit card’s CVC number (the three or four digit number used to confirm you’re in possession of the card). But you can now protect your card details with your device’s biometrics or PIN. On PC, hop over to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Payment methods, then turn on Manually verify every time you pay using autofill. This option is also available through the mobile Chrome browser, too.

Browsers have gotten a bad rap in the past for their security attributes, mainly for being too simplistic and not as secure as third-party password managers, but these two small tweaks help boost their viability. Because let’s be realistic—the security software you use is the one that’s the best. For a lot of people, that’s Chrome.

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