Talk of a possible new 2026 MacBook Pro release is gaining traction online with many closely following Apple’s recent hardware patterns for clues.
Apple’s next MacBook Pro redesign could arrive as soon as this fall, according to 9-to-5-Mac, marking the first major refresh in roughly five years.
While rumors have swirled for months, a few upgrades stand out as the most meaningful—especially as Apple looks to modernize its flagship laptop without repeating past missteps.
“The redesigned M6 MacBook Pro with OLED displays and a first-generation 2-nanometer chip is now lined up for Q4 2026. That launch window depends on Samsung Display getting its new OLED line ready in time, and right now the schedule shows progress mixed with cost pressure,” MacObserver reported.
Slimmer Chassis, Touchscreens and OLED Tech
One of the expected changes is a slimmer chassis. That prospect may raise eyebrows after the controversial ultra-thin era of the late 2010s, but today’s Apple silicon machines don’t always need the same heavy-duty build.
With improved thermal engineering, Apple could shave down some bulk—particularly on the 16-inch model—while still preserving the performance users expect.
The most anticipated upgrade, however, may be touch capability. After nearly two decades of resisting touchscreens on the Mac, Apple could finally bring direct input to the MacBook Pro, following the long-established trend in Windows laptops and Apple’s own expertise with iPhone and iPad.
Details remain unclear, but multiple reports suggest a touchscreen MacBook Pro could debut with this redesign, making it one of the biggest shifts in the product’s history.
Alongside touch, the new model is also rumored to adopt an OLED display, according to TechRepublic, building on the Tandem OLED technology introduced in the iPad Pro. That would mean deeper blacks, richer contrast and more vibrant color compared with today’s miniLED panels.
“Apple is aiming to move most of its premium devices to OLED over the next two years. Alongside the MacBook Pro, OLED is expected to come to the iPad Mini this year, with the MacBook Air following in 2027 or 2028,” TechRepublic reported.
“On performance, the refreshed MacBook Pro could be among the first Apple devices to use the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips,” TechRepublic continued.
The website also noted that the new MacBook Pro could include the “dynamic island” feature, which “would reduce the size of the camera notch and repurpose the space for notifications and system alerts.”
Frustration Over Update Frequency
On Reddit, several commenters expressed fatigue with how often new MacBook Pro models appear.
One user lamented, “Feels like they dropped four different [MacBook Pros] in the last two years,” pointing to a perception that models are arriving faster than many users can justify upgrading.
Other pundits shifted the focus away from the MacBook Pro itself asking why other Mac products appear to be waiting longer for updates.
“Why are they rushing the m-chips for the [MacBook Pro]? Where is my M5 Mini?” one commenter asked highlighting concern that Apple’s desktops particularly the Mac mini may be lower on the company’s priority list.
While Apple hasn’t confirmed anything yet, nor addressed some of the users’ concerns about timing, the combination of OLED, touch support and a refined design could make this fall’s MacBook Pro update one of the most significant in years.
Newsweek has reached out to Apple for comment via email.
