Apple’s 2026 product lineup may still have big surprises after the iPhone Duo
Apple has already made a huge splash this year with the iPhone 18 series and the launch of the iPhone Duo, its long-awaited foldable iPhone. For many casual buyers, that might sound like the company’s biggest moment of the year and a natural finish line for its 2026 hardware cycle.
But Apple is not finished yet.
According to ongoing industry rumors and supply chain chatter, the company still has several important product updates planned before the end of the year. The most exciting among them could be a major refresh of the MacBook Pro lineup, possibly introducing an OLED display, a thinner design, and even a new “MacBook Ultra” name for the highest-end models.
Before the next MacBook Pro takes the spotlight, Apple is also expected to update the 24-inch iMac with the M6 chip. This refresh is not expected to bring a major redesign. The all-in-one desktop will likely keep the same familiar look that Apple has used for years, although new color options may help freshen up the lineup.
The 24-inch iMac has not received a significant design change since its debut, so anyone hoping for a dramatic new chassis may need to wait longer. Still, the M6 chip should bring better performance and efficiency, especially for users upgrading from older Apple Silicon or Intel-based machines.
The real attention, however, is on the next-generation MacBook Pro.
Apple’s upcoming OLED MacBook Pro has been rumored for quite some time, and it could become one of the most important Mac updates in years. Some reports suggest Apple may even use a new name, MacBook Ultra, to separate the premium OLED models from the current mini-LED MacBook Pro family.
The new laptop is expected to feature a tandem OLED display, a technology that could deliver higher brightness, improved efficiency, deeper blacks, and richer colors compared to standard OLED panels. For creative professionals, video editors, photographers, and designers, this could be a major leap forward.
One of the most interesting claims surrounding the OLED MacBook Pro is its color performance. Leaks suggest the display may cover up to 95% of the BT.2020 color gamut. That is a big deal because BT.2020 represents a much wider range of visible colors than DCI-P3, the color standard already supported by many Apple displays.
In simpler terms, the next MacBook Pro’s screen could show more vibrant, accurate, and lifelike colors than any Mac laptop before it. If Apple pulls this off, the OLED MacBook Pro could become one of the best laptops on the market for HDR video production, digital art, photo editing, and high-end visual work.
Another major change could be the arrival of a touch-sensitive display. Apple has resisted adding touchscreens to the Mac for years, keeping touch interaction mostly limited to the iPhone and iPad. If the OLED MacBook Pro does include touch support, it would mark a major shift in Apple’s Mac strategy.
That does not necessarily mean Apple will turn the MacBook Pro into a full tablet-style hybrid. The company may choose a more restrained approach, using touch input for creative workflows, quick controls, or app-specific interactions. Even so, a touchscreen MacBook Pro would be one of the biggest changes to the Mac lineup in a long time.
Design may also play a key role in the upcoming release. Several reports have suggested that Apple is once again focusing on thinness. The company has a long history of pushing slimmer hardware designs, and Apple Silicon has given it more freedom to balance performance, battery life, and thermals.
However, making a high-performance MacBook Pro thinner is not without risks. Current top-end 14-inch MacBook Pro models with powerful Max-series chips can already face thermal challenges under sustained workloads. A thinner body could make heat management more difficult, especially if Apple continues using M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in the OLED models.
A move to the M6 generation might have helped ease those concerns thanks to expected efficiency gains. But current rumors suggest Apple may have canceled M6 Pro and M6 Max chips and instead shifted its focus toward the M7 generation. If true, the next major performance leap for high-end MacBook Pro models may arrive next year rather than with this OLED refresh.
That makes the rumored product strategy especially interesting. Apple may continue selling the current mini-LED MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside the newer OLED MacBook Pro or MacBook Ultra. This would allow the company to offer multiple premium Mac options at different price points.
The mini-LED MacBook Pro is also not expected to disappear anytime soon. Reports suggest Apple may keep mini-LED models in the lineup until around 2028. That would make sense, as mini-LED still offers excellent brightness, strong HDR performance, and proven reliability for professional users.
Beyond the Mac, Apple’s iPad lineup may receive one more notable update this year. The iPad Pro and iPad Air are not expected to get additional refreshes before the year ends, but the iPad mini could be next in line.
A new iPad mini with an OLED display is rumored for an October launch. Like many smaller Apple updates, it may arrive through a press release rather than a full live event. The compact tablet is also expected to receive an A19 Pro chip, faster Wi-Fi, and general performance improvements.
An OLED iPad mini would be a welcome upgrade for fans of Apple’s smallest tablet. The iPad mini has always appealed to users who want portability without sacrificing power, making it popular for reading, note-taking, gaming, travel, and everyday media consumption. A better display and faster chip could make the next model much more attractive.
Overall, Apple’s year is shaping up to be much busier than it first appeared. The iPhone Duo may be the headline-grabbing launch, but the rumored OLED MacBook Pro, updated M6 iMac, and OLED iPad mini could keep Apple firmly in the spotlight through the final months of 2026.
If the leaks prove accurate, the next MacBook Pro could be the product to watch. A tandem OLED display, possible touch support, thinner body, and expanded color capabilities would make it one of Apple’s most ambitious laptop upgrades in years. For Mac users waiting for a truly next-generation machine, the end of the year could bring exactly the kind of announcement they have been hoping for.
