Apple’s next-generation MacBook Pro plans are starting to take shape, but the timeline is still a bit cloudy. Right now, Apple’s M5 Pro and M5 Max chips don’t have a firm launch date. The expectation is that Apple will introduce the M5 Pro, M5 Max, and the higher-end M5 Ultra sometime in the first half of 2026.
What’s drawing even more attention, though, is what may come later in the year: an OLED MacBook Pro powered by Apple’s M6-series chips. If the latest reporting holds up, Apple could end up unveiling two separate MacBook Pro lineups in a single calendar year—something it has only done once since moving to Apple silicon.
A redesigned MacBook Pro is reportedly tied specifically to the M6 Pro and M6 Max models. In other words, buyers looking at the standard M6 MacBook Pro may not get the big visual and display changes. Leaked identifier information suggests the flagship versions are the ones set to receive the major upgrades, leaving the base model on a more familiar design path.
The most headline-grabbing change is OLED. Samsung is said to be the exclusive supplier for these OLED panels, and reports indicate mass production has already started ahead of schedule. That’s important because it could help Apple bring the OLED MacBook Pro to market sooner than expected, even if the broader expectation still points to a release toward the end of 2026.
Beyond OLED, the redesign rumors include Apple removing the current display notch and replacing it with a Dynamic Island-style cutout. Touchscreen support has also been mentioned, which would be a major shift for the MacBook Pro line and could reshape how many users think about macOS productivity, creative work, and everyday navigation.
Another potential feature getting people talking is cellular connectivity. There’s growing interest in the idea that certain M6 MacBook Pro models could include a 5G modem, enabling true on-the-go connectivity without relying on Wi-Fi or phone tethering. If Apple brings 5G to the MacBook Pro, it would be a first for the lineup and a major quality-of-life improvement for travelers, remote workers, and students who want always-connected performance.
All of this creates a tricky situation for the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models. If Apple launches M5-based laptops in early 2026 and follows them with a redesigned OLED M6 Pro and M6 Max MacBook Pro later the same year, some shoppers may hesitate and wait. That could impact demand for the M5 generation—unless Apple positions the OLED models as premium upgrades with higher prices. With OLED panels, potential touchscreen functionality, and a redesigned chassis, a price increase would not be surprising.
For now, the big takeaway is this: Apple’s M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro launch window still isn’t locked in, but the second half of 2026 is shaping up to be the moment when the MacBook Pro could take a dramatic leap forward—especially for buyers holding out for OLED, a refreshed design, and possibly 5G connectivity.
