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| Apple MacBook Pro 16 2026 |
We kicked off 2026 with an in-depth look at Apple's new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and honestly? The performance blew us away. Even then, we noticed something interesting—the smaller MacBook Pro 14 couldn't quite keep up with the M5 Max's raw power. So we took things a step further and benchmarked the M5 Max in the larger MacBook Pro 16. The results? Smoother performance, better stability, and an overall more impressive experience.
But here's the thing: recently, we started hearing from users who noticed something odd. After updating their software, they felt like their M5 Max wasn't performing quite as snappy as before. Naturally, we had to dig deeper.
So we fired up the MacBook Pro 16 again, ran the benchmarks, and confirmed there is indeed a performance dip. But before you panic—it's not as straightforward as "Apple slowed down your laptop." Let's break it down.
The Power Profile Puzzle
For years, Apple has given MacBook Pro users three performance profiles: Automatic, High Power, and Low Power. The differences between Automatic and High Power were usually negligible—Honestly, you'd barely notice. Low Power, on the other hand, throttles the SoC to just 13 watts, which is a obvious step down.
On macOS 26.3.1, running the M5 Max in the MacBook Pro 16, we found zero performance difference between Automatic and High Power. The chip would spike to around 78 watts, then settle at 65 watts under CPU load (and hit about 90 watts under combined workloads). High Power just made the fans louder. That's it.
Fast forward to macOS 26.6.2, and Apple clearly changed the rules. Now, Automatic mode starts at 75 watts but quickly drops to 60, then settles at just 54 watts. High Power, however, hangs around 75/70 watts, which means sustained performance is now noticeably better in that mode.
Curious about more in-depth testing on MacBook performance? Check out our detailed breakdown here: Apple M5 Max MacBook Pro 14 – When Too Much Power Is a Problem
The Numbers Don't Lie—But They Do Tell a Story
Here's the data we collected across different macOS versions and power profiles:
| macOS Version | Performance Profile | TDP | Cinebench 2024 Multi | 3DMark Steel Nomad | Steel Nomad Stress Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26.3.1 | Automatic | 78/65W | 2437 points | 4392 points | 98.5% |
| 26.6.2 | Automatic | 75/60/54W | 2312 points | 4373 points | 87.3% |
| 26.6.2 | High Power | 75/70W | 2490 points | 4386 points | 98.4% |
In short bursts—like the Steel Nomad benchmark—you'd hardly notice a difference. But fire up something longer, like Cinebench 2024 Multi (which runs for several minutes), and you're looking at about a 5% drop in Automatic mode. The Steel Nomad stress test, which runs for 20 minutes, shows a more significant 13% drop.
Is that a dealbreaker? For most people, probably not. But if you're pushing your machine hard for extended periods—video rendering, 3D modeling, or intensive gaming—you'll feel it.
What's Really Going On?
Here's our take: Apple likely fixed a bug. Before the update, Automatic and High Power were essentially the same. Now, there's an actual distinction between the profiles. Automatic is still fantastic—great performance with quieter fans—but it comes with a trade-off: sustained workloads will cause a dip.
High Power, on the other hand, now delivers the full sustained performance you'd expect from the M5 Max. The catch? You'll hear the fans kick in. But honestly, the fan noise levels haven't changed with the update—they're still very reasonable.
So if you're someone who needs every ounce of performance for hours on end, High Power is now your go-to. For everyone else, Automatic remains a solid choice.
Final Thoughts
Before the update, life was simpler: maximum performance, quiet fans, no fuss. Now, Apple's given us more control—whether we asked for it or not. And while it's a bit of a bummer that you can't have both silence and max sustained performance anymore, we understand the logic.
Still, considering the MacBook Pro 16 handled the previous setup flawlessly, we can't help but wonder: Did we really need a High Power mode? But hey, it's Apple's world—we're just benchmarking in it.
If you're on the fence about which profile to use, here's our advice: stick with Automatic for everyday tasks, and switch to High Power when you're tackling marathon sessions. Your laptop—and your ears—will thank you.
