Apple unveils plans for MacBook Pro: 5 upgrades that will impress users
What Apple will change in the MacBook Pro next year (photo: Getty Images)
Apple is expected to unveil a completely redesigned MacBook Pro next year, five years after the previous version that users grew to love. Experts point to five key upgrades that could appear in the new model, according to 9to5Mac
OLED display
After debuting OLED in the iPad Pro in 2024, Apple is expected to use this technology for the first time in the MacBook Pro. The new screens promise higher brightness, better contrast, and richer colors.
According to TheElec, the company will use Tandem OLED, similar to the one in the iPad Pro. Unlike the dual-layer MacBook Pro displays, the OLED screen in the MacBook Air will feature a standard single-layer panel with one RGB layer. The Tandem dual-layer technology increases brightness and extends screen lifespan.
With the shift to OLED, Apple may also eliminate the notch, replacing it with a small camera cutout. Omdia describes it as rounded corners plus a hole. It is not yet clear whether it will be a single cutout or something resembling the iPhone Dynamic Island, but the main point is that the notch will be smaller and less bulky.
Slimmer body
According to Bloomberg, the 2026 MacBook Pro will have a slimmer body. Details about a full redesign are still scarce, but Apple has continued improving the laptop with new chips and other internal components.
The company initially planned to release an updated model in 2025, but timelines were delayed due to display technology issues.
Touchscreen
Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes we will see a MacBook with a touchscreen in 2026. Each year, evidence has been mounting that Apple is moving in this direction, and 2026 could be the year it becomes a reality.
Cellular connectivity support
Apple may also introduce the first MacBook with cellular connectivity. At the end of last year, Bloomberg reported that Apple is developing its own modem for laptops, potentially launching in 2026. This is part of the company’s strategy to increase in-house component production.
Advanced M6 chips
The new MacBook Pro will debut the M6 chip family, Apple Silicon’s first generation using TSMC’s 2nm technology, similar to the A20 chip for iPhones.
M6 Pro and M6 Max versions are expected, but it is unclear whether the base 14-inch model with an M6 chip will launch immediately. Bloomberg notes that the redesign may initially be limited to the M6 Pro and M6 Max models, meaning base MacBook Pro owners might have to wait a little longer.
Release date
Rumors suggest that the new OLED MacBook Pro could arrive between late 2026 and early 2027, possibly with a presentation in October 2026. Initial supply will be limited, with production volumes expected to increase by 2027.
Summary
The main highlight of the new MacBook Pro will be the switch to OLED displays. Users will also appreciate the slimmer body, especially the 16-inch model, which currently weighs around 2.1 kg.
