In a first, an Apple product retail unit leaks in full glory weeks before going official

Update 08/10/24: In what is turning into Apple’s worst leak since the iPhone 4 was left in a bar, yet another Russian YouTuber has somehow got a brand new M4 MacBook Pro.

Original article follows:

Apple’s usually tight ship seems to have sprung a leak, and this time, it’s a doozy. In an unprecedented move, a full unboxing video of the rumored M4 MacBook Pro has surfaced online, potentially revealing Apple’s upcoming plans before they’ve even had a chance to unveil them themselves. This isn’t your typical blurry prototype leak or a half-baked rumor. We’re talking a full retail version of the new MacBook Pro, showcased in a video on Russian YouTube channel Wylsacom.

And, as if the internet wasn’t already abuzz, Bloomberg‘s well-known Apple insider Mark Gurman chimed in on X, claiming that this is a first in the world of Apple leaks. While we’ve seen early glimpses of prototypes before, a full-fledged unboxing video of a retail-ready device? That’s new territory, even for the most leaky of Apple fans.

According to the video (which you can find linked below), here’s what we might be getting with this new 14-inch MacBook Pro model:

1. 25% faster M4 chip: Apple seems to be upping its game with the M4 chip, boasting a 10-core CPU, up from the 8-core M3 in the current model. According to a Geekbench 6 benchmark, the M4 could offer a significant performance bump of up to 25% compared to its predecessor especially with single-core performance.

2. Starting with 16GB of RAM: If the box is to be believed, the base model now starts with 16GB of RAM. This is a big deal for multitaskers and pros who rely on heavy-duty apps, hinting that Apple might be standardizing higher memory across all future Macs.

3. Three Thunderbolt 4 ports: The video reveals that the M4 MacBook Pro comes equipped with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an upgrade from the current model’s two Thunderbolt 3 ports that will allow it to support two external displays simultaneously with the lid open. Currently, the base M3 14-inch MacBook Pro only supports one external display when the lid is open and two when the lid is closed.

4. Space black for the base model: A fresh color option is coming. The elegant space black finish, previously exclusive to higher-end configurations, could now be available for the base model. Finally, your sleek aesthetic dreams might come true without shelling out for the top-tier M3 Pro or M3 Max chips.

Now, let’s talk about how this all unraveled. The leaked video, shared by Wylsacom on YouTube, has been creating waves across tech forums and social media. Gurman himself shared the video on X, calling it “unconfirmed but fairly legitimate.” He pointed out that while Apple prototypes have slipped through the cracks before, this marks the first time we’re seeing a retail Apple product leaked in its entirety before the official announcement. That’s not just any leak — it’s history in the making for Apple leaks.

The video seemingly confirms earlier photos shared by leaker ShrimpApplePro on X, who claimed in late September that this mysterious MacBook Pro was being sold in a private Facebook group. It seems some lucky buyer managed to snag a unit before its official unveiling and decided to bless the rest of the world with a sneak peek.

Of course, there’s always a touch of skepticism. Gurman did note that the wallpaper on the box seems to be the same as last year’s, which raised some eyebrows. But let’s be real — that might not mean much in the grand scheme of things. Apple’s packaging isn’t always a crystal ball for future designs. What matters is the hardware inside.

According to Gurman, we can expect Apple to officially unveil its new line of Macs with the M4 chip later this month. The devices could start shipping as soon as November 1. But for now, we’ve got a pretty juicy look at what’s to come.

This leak, while unconfirmed, has certainly turned the tech world upside down. We’ve always known Apple to be buttoned-up about its product launches, so to see such a detailed, clear-cut leak is rare and exciting. If you’re as eager as we are to see what Apple officially announces in the coming weeks, this video might just hold you over. You can watch the full unboxing video below.

Do you think Apple will respond to the leak, or will they quietly move forward with the official launch? Share your thoughts in the comments.