Apple’s latest MacBook Pro update was a bit underwhelming compared to previous years, with just a new 14-inch model featuring the M5 chip. But if recent leaks are accurate, the big changes are coming with the M6 MacBook Pro, expected in late 2026 or early 2027. Fans might finally get an OLED touchscreen, a fresh design without the notch, and other exciting features that have been long requested.
A Quiet Year for the MacBook Pro
This year’s MacBook Pro refresh felt more subdued than usual. Apple introduced a single new 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip, while continuing to sell the previous M4 Pro and M4 Max models. The company has been relatively quiet about the M5 lineup, leading many to believe that the major upgrades are still on the horizon.
What to Expect from the M6 MacBook Pro
According to Bloomberg’s trusted Apple insider Mark Gurman, the M6 MacBook Pro is expected to arrive in late 2026 or early 2027. While performance improvements over the M5 are a given, the M6 could bring some game-changing features, including an OLED display and a touchscreen—both firsts for the MacBook Pro line.
OLED Displays: A Long-Awaited Upgrade
OLED technology offers self-emissive pixels that produce deep, “inky” blacks and superior contrast compared to traditional LCDs. Apple already uses OLED screens in its iPhones, branding them as “Super Retina XDR.” The highest-end Apple devices, like the M4 and M5 iPad Pros, feature tandem OLEDs—two OLED layers stacked for enhanced brightness. The M6 MacBook Pro could finally bring this premium display technology to the MacBook lineup.
Touchscreen on a MacBook? Yes, Please!
Apple has long resisted adding touchscreens to MacBooks, preferring to keep touch interactions on the iPad. However, with iPadOS 16 introducing floating windows and improved multitasking, the lines between tablets and laptops are blurring. Gurman suggests the M6 MacBook Pro will feature a touchscreen without being a convertible device—meaning it will retain the traditional laptop form factor with a trackpad. This could be a welcome change for users craving more direct interaction with their Mac.
Goodbye Notch, Hello Dynamic Island
Current MacBook Pros have a notch housing the webcam, which some users find distracting. The M6 MacBook Pro might ditch the notch in favor of an edge-to-edge display with a feature similar to the iPhone’s Dynamic Island. This interactive area can show notifications, timers, and other useful information depending on the app in use, enhancing productivity and user experience.
Pricing and Availability
Both the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models could receive these upgrades. Given the more expensive OLED screens, prices for the M6 MacBooks are expected to rise. For context, the current base M5 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage starts at $1,600 and uses a mini LED display Apple calls Liquid Retina XDR.
Should You Wait for the M6?
Recent MacBook updates have focused on performance improvements without significant design changes, making it hard to justify upgrading if you already own an M-series MacBook. Apple may also release new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside a refreshed M5 MacBook Air in early 2026. If you’re eager for a touchscreen MacBook, the M6 might be worth the wait. Otherwise, the current models still offer excellent performance.