The MacBook Pro by Apple has just been upgraded to the M4 chip, with an M5 model anticipated in late 2025. However, it’s the model expected in late 2026 that stands out as particularly exciting, potentially marking the most significant Mac upgrade to date. Here’s what is on the horizon.
Complete redesign that is both thinner and lighter
The last significant redesign of the MacBook Pro took place in 2021, addressing previous port removals and fixing long-standing keyboard complaints, viewed by many as Apple’s way of rectifying earlier missteps.
Various sources suggest that a major overhaul is planned for the MacBook Pro in 2026, resulting in a “complete redesign” aimed at achieving a thinner and lighter form factor.
These terms may raise concerns for MacBook Pro users who endured the butterfly keyboard era; however, Apple has thus far demonstrated its capacity to create sleeker devices powered by Apple Silicon without sacrificing performance.
I’m eager to see how the port situation evolves with the new MacBook Pro, but my hope is that Apple can reduce the size without losing any of the ports that were recently reinstated.
OLED display without a notch
A significant aspect of the MacBook Pro’s redesign will involve its display, which is anticipated to eliminate the notch in favor of an OLED technology.
This updated display is expected to incorporate OLED technology similar to that of the M4 iPad Pro, replacing the notch with a smaller ‘hole cut.’
Does this imply a Dynamic Island feature will be included on the Mac? Time will tell, but the OLED experience on the iPad Pro has been exceptional, making it exciting to see it transition to the Mac.
M6 chip line
Though the M4 chip has only been available for less than a year, and only recently made its debut on the Mac, the details surrounding the M6 chip remain speculative.
Nonetheless, Apple is expected to release an M5 MacBook Pro in 2025 with a design similar to the current model, suggesting that the 2026 refresh will feature M6, M6 Pro, and M6 Max configurations.
5G cellular connectivity
Apple’s forthcoming 5G modems will debut this year in select devices, and a second iteration of the modem is slated for 2026, likely finding its way into the MacBook Pro.
I have long supported the idea of integrating cellular technology into the Mac, and Apple’s internal modem development seems to present the best opportunity for this to materialize. Reports suggest that Apple is aligned with this vision as well.
Surprising Touch support
Touch capability on the Mac has been a topic of speculation since the inception of the iPad. Yet, it remains unimplemented and may not ever come to fruition.
Nonetheless, strong indications suggest that the 2026 MacBook Pro could be Apple’s target for the introduction of a touch-enabled Mac.
In early 2023, Mark Gurman hinted that the development of a touchscreen MacBook Pro was underway, with an initial release window targeted for 2025. In the same report, Gurman mentioned:
As part of the MacBook Pro revamp, Apple is also planning to transition its displays to organic light-emitting diode, or OLED technology.
Thus, it appears that touch support and OLED technology were, at one point, intended to be released in unison for a new MacBook Pro.
The proposed release in 2025 was earlier associated with the introduction of OLED technology in the MacBook Pro but has since been rescheduled for 2026.
It seems that Apple’s intention to integrate an OLED touch display in the MacBook Pro remains intact; only the timeline has shifted.
This notion is reinforced by Gurman’s recent suggestion that Apple’s immediate plans for the Mac include “faster chips, thinner designs, and touch screens.”
While I may be overanalyzing the situation, it certainly appears that the major redesign of the 2026 MacBook Pro could finally usher in touch support for the Mac.
MacBook Pro 2026 upgrade summary
We are still over 20 months away from Apple’s anticipated launch of the significant MacBook Pro redesign. Consequently, many aforementioned details may be subject to change.
That being said, if Apple manages to incorporate all these new features into a powerful, redesigned MacBook Pro, it would certainly be the most remarkable upgrade the device has ever experienced—and perhaps the most significant upgrade for any Mac.
Do you expect to see these changes in the MacBook Pro take place in 2026? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Top Mac accessories
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
