Apple still expected to release an even bigger, ‘Ultra’ MacBook Pro update this year

Source: 9to5Mac

This week, Apple unveiled MacBook Pro models that run on the newly announced M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The new Macs are available for pre‑order now (Amazon link) and will hit stores on Wednesday, March 11. For that reason, it may come as a surprise that Apple is still expected to release an even bigger MacBook Pro update in 2026.

MacBook Pro with touchscreen and OLED still on track for release in 2026

Following the official M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro announcement last week, Mark Gurman reports in his Power On newsletter for Bloomberg that “the touch‑screen and OLED high‑end MacBook is due around the end of the year.”

• This machine would be the first‑ever Mac with both a touchscreen and an OLED display—features currently only found on the iPad Pro.
• The rumored MacBook Pro update is also expected to run on the M6 Pro/Max chip. Apple only just announced the M5 Pro/Max chip in what is otherwise a straightforward MacBook Pro refresh.

However, this wouldn’t be the first time Apple released two new M‑series chip upgrades to the MacBook Pro in a single year. Apple might be cutting it closer than last time this happened.

Apple upgraded the MacBook Pro twice in 2023

• January 17, 2023: Apple unveiled the M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pro.
• October 30, 2023 (286 days later): Apple announced the M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pro.

If Apple announced the M6 Pro/Max MacBook Pro on the same timeline, we would expect an announcement around December 14 this year. Historically, Apple has announced Macs earlier in the year that were later released in December (e.g., the 2019 Mac Pro, 2017 iMac Pro, and 2013 Mac Pro).

Even if Apple were to brand the first touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro as “MacBook Ultra” and price it higher, it would still effectively be a new and improved MacBook Pro. The higher starting price associated with OLED and touch means the new Mac might not replace the model introduced this week.

“…these upcoming laptops will likely sit above the current M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, rather than replace them. While Apple could keep the traditional MacBook Pro name, a ‘MacBook Ultra’ label would more clearly signal their position at the top of the lineup. One thing is certain: Apple, yet again, is moving firmly up‑market.”

So despite just announcing new MacBook Pro releases, it isn’t out of the question for Apple to break its 286‑day record and possibly make an announcement in November, assuming the higher‑end MacBook Pro is ready by then.

There’s always the possibility that plans change and this new machine becomes a 2027 product release, but that isn’t the current expectation.