Apple is preparing one of the most profound changes in the recent history of its professional laptop lineup. Various leaks and supply chain analyses suggest that the future The next-generation MacBook Pro will arrive with a complete redesign.New display technologies and a significant power boost by the end of 2026 or, at the latest, early 2027.
The company reportedly used the arrival of its new family of operating systems —iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 and others— and the celebration of its 50th anniversary as the perfect excuse to completely rethink its flagship laptop. The current model will then be about five years old since its last major redesign, an interval that fits with Apple's historical cycles of deep hardware renewal.
OLED as the star of the new MacBook Pro
One of the pillars of the project is the replacement of the current LCD panels with next generation OLED displaysAfter making the leap to this technology in products like the iPhone, the Apple Watch and, more recently, the iPad Pro, everything indicates that the next logical step will be to bring it to the brand's professional laptops.
Specialized media outlets in South Korea, citing sources in the display industry, indicate that LG Display and Samsung Display They will be responsible for supplying these panels. In the case of the Pro models, it's referred to as a system OLED tandem with dual RGB stack, similar to that of the iPad Pro, which would allow a higher brightness level and a longer screen lifespan compared to the usual wear and tear of organic panels.
This change would not only improve contrast, blacks, and color fidelity, but would also have a direct impact on consumption. More efficient energy management, combined with new M6 chip platformThis could translate into significantly better battery life, something especially relevant for those who use the MacBook Pro as their main work tool while traveling around Europe.
Another direct consequence of this transition would be the disappearance of the current notch at the top of the screen. Panel analyst reports point to a design with rounded corners and a reduced cutout for the cameracloser to a small perforation than the current notch, allowing for better use of the panel's usable area. Leaks and rumors of a redesign They point in that direction.
New, thinner and lighter design
Alongside the screen upgrade, Apple is reportedly working on a new, slimmer chassis for the MacBook Pro. The company's recent design line—with the iPad Pro becoming one of the thinnest tablets on the market and the iPhone Air setting a trend in thickness—fits with the idea of ​​bringing that philosophy to its laptops as well.
Regular sources such as Bloomberg place this major redesign in 2026, after several related delays specifically to the development and manufacture of the new screens. The idea would be Maintain the spirit of the current generation, but with a more stylized profile and less weightThis would be especially interesting in the 16-inch model, which is still a bulky device to carry around every day.
To achieve this slimming down, a significant internal reorganization of components is expected. The arrival of the tandem OLED panel would allow for a redesign of the lid structure, while the reduction in lithographic processing for the M6 ​​chips would contribute to more compact devices with less need for heat dissipationIt is possible that Apple will take advantage of the opportunity to polish keyboard details, trackpad or ports, although no concrete changes in that regard have been reported so far.
In the European context, where remote work and mobility between office, home, and shared spaces have become the norm, a thinner and lighter MacBook Pro could be a key selling point for creative professionals, developers, or technical profiles who need power but also value real portability in everyday life.
Touchscreens are finally coming to the MacBook Pro
Another major change being considered is the incorporation of touch functions directly on the screenThis is something Apple has avoided for years in the Mac despite the insistence of some of its users and direct competition with convertible laptops in the Windows ecosystem.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and other voices in the supply chain agree that if Apple decides to take the step, it will be precisely with This MacBook Pro redesignThe idea wouldn't be to transform the laptop into a two-in-one tablet, but Add touch interaction as a complement to the keyboard and trackpad, especially useful for quick gestures, navigating interfaces, and working with creative applications.
It remains to be seen how this new feature will be integrated at the software level. macOS already shares many fundamental principles with iPadOS, but until now the Mac interface has clearly been designed for mouse and keyboard. It's expected that, if the touchscreen is confirmed, Apple will introduce Adjustments in macOS 26 and future versions to adapt buttons, gestures and interactive elements to this new way of using it, while maintaining the traditional experience for those who prefer the classic method.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, where the adoption of touchscreen laptops hasn't been as widespread as in other markets, there will be some debate about whether this innovation is truly necessary or merely anecdotal. In any case, it would represent a relevant turn in Apple's historical philosophy with the Mac.
New generation of power: the 2nm M6 chip
The heart of this future MacBook Pro would be the M6 ​​processor familywhich would mark the first generation of Apple Silicon manufactured using TSMC's 2-nanometer process, the same technology planned for the A20 chips in the iPhone 18 series.
Currently, the 2025 models have already migrated to M5 chipwith performance that easily rivals high-end desktop computers. The jump to the M6 ​​would go a step further, with a combination of greater energy efficiency and more CPU and GPU coresas well as more advanced AI engines and video encoding, something especially relevant for demanding workflows such as 4K/8K video editing, virtual machine development, or artificial intelligence projects.
Everything points to the first ones to use this chip being the MacBook Pro with M6 Pro and M6 MaxThe new models are focused on the professional segment, while the base 14-inch model could maintain a more evolutionary design or arrive somewhat later with the new chassis. Some reports indicate that the initial redesign will be reserved precisely for the high-end configurations, leaving the more affordable ones for a later phase.
For the European user, this will mean having it on the market multiple layers of performance at the same time —M5 in current devices and M6 in the new Pro—, so the purchase decision will probably revolve around whether it is worth waiting for the jump to 2 nm or taking advantage of discounts on the previous generation, something common when Apple launches new families of processors.
Integrated mobile connectivity and less dependence on third parties
Beyond the screen, the design, and the processor, one of the points that arouses the most interest is the possible arrival of mobile data connectivity directly to the MacBook ProThis would be the first time Apple has released a laptop with native cellular network support, without relying on sharing a connection from the iPhone or portable routers.
Reports in the US press indicate that the company has been developing for some time. their own mobile modemsThese technologies, which have already begun to be integrated into some recent iPhones, could also be implemented in the Mac lineup starting in 2026. This idea aligns with Apple's strategy of reducing its reliance on external suppliers and gaining greater control over key hardware components.
In Europe, where mobile data rates have been decreasing and 5G networks are quite widespread, a MacBook Pro with cellular connectivity could make a lot of sense for professionals who move between EU countries or regularly work outside the office. It remains to be seen, however, how this feature fits with local regulations., the obligations regarding eSIM and the impact on the final price of the equipment.
For now, the leaks are limited to mentioning the modem integration and the approximate timeline. without specifying whether all models will have this option or if it will be reserved for certain configurations, as is already the case with iPads with LTE/5G.
Planned timeline and context in Apple's roadmap
If we compare the different reports published in recent months, the most repeated scenario places the launch of this new MacBook Pro with OLED, touch screen and M6 chip between late 2026 and early 2027A presentation in the fall, possibly in October, would fit with Apple's tradition of reserving that time of year for Mac and iPad announcements.
In addition, the company reportedly has a very busy roadmap for 2026, with up to two dozen products in the pipeline: new iPhones with A20 chips, iPad minis with OLED displays, updated external screens, and even home devices with screens. Within that timeline, the redesigned MacBook Pro would be one of the strategic releases. to strengthen the Mac range and support the adoption of macOS 26 in the professional segment.
Previous delays in OLED panel production would have forced a shift in the target date—initially 2025 was considered—but the new timeframe aligns better with the TSMC 2nm process maturation and with the consolidation of the tandem display supply chain for larger equipment.
With everything that's been leaked so far, the next MacBook Pro is shaping up to be more than just a simple hardware iteration: New design, new screen technologyThe new generation of chips and new connectivity options represent a clear generational leap. What remains to be seen is the factor that most concerns many users in Spain and Europe: the price. And to what extent will Apple be able to keep it under control in a context of rising costs and more complex technologies?
