Apple plans M5-based Private Cloud Compute architecture for Apple Intelligence

Chance Miller | Feb 17 2026 - 7:31 am PT

M4 to M5 MacBook Pro benchmarks impressive, but little real-world benefit | Apple graphic representations of the new chip

According to a new Private Cloud Compute software release this week, Apple is starting to use M5 chips in Apple Private Cloud Compute servers. This is the infrastructure that powers Apple Intelligence’s cloud-based features.

There are references to something called “Private Cloud Compute Agent Worker,” which run a version of iOS with a new agentic architecture for serving AI requests. iOS 26.4 includes the code for interfacing with this new Private Cloud Compute architecture, as well.

The architecture runs on new hardware with the J226C model number powered by the M5 chip.

Details here remain sparse, but it’s evidence that Apple continues to refine its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure ahead of more advanced Siri and Apple Intelligence features. The changes also come following Apple’s deal with Google to use Gemini models to power Siri features.

Historically, Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers have used M2 Ultra chips. The M2 Ultra was first introduced in June 2023, followed by the M3 Ultra last year. Apple, however, has not updated its PCC architecture with M3 Ultra chips, though.

There were reports that Apple planned to transition some of its Private Cloud Compute servers to M4 chips. It doesn’t appear that this ultimately came to fruition, at least in terms of any widespread adoption.

In addition to using M5 chips in its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, Apple is also reportedly developing dedicated AI server chips. Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that Apple is slated to begin mass production of these chips in the second half of 2026, before officially deploying them in 2027.

In October, Apple confirmed that it had started making Private Cloud Compute servers in a factory in Houston, Texas as part of its $600 billion package to invest in domestic infrastructure.

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