Apple could refresh the MacBook Pro twice in 2026, with a major redesign tipped for year-end

Apple MacBook

• Apple plans two MacBook Pro updates in 2026: M5 chips early, redesign later
• Redesigned MacBook Pro may feature OLED touchscreen and M6 chips
• MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display also set for upgrades in 2026

Did our AI summary help?

Apple is reportedly lining up an unusually busy year for its Mac portfolio, with plans to upgrade the MacBook Pro lineup twice in 2026. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company will begin with a relatively modest refresh in the first half of the year, before rolling out a dramatically redesigned MacBook Pro toward the end of 2026.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple intends to launch new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of the year. The initial MacBook Pro update is expected to focus primarily on performance, introducing new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips without significant changes to the overall design.

This first refresh is said to be coming soon, and speculation has intensified that Apple could unveil these updated MacBook Pro models alongside the launch of its Creator Studio bundle of apps on January 28. While Gurman has not confirmed an exact announcement date, he has consistently pointed to the first half of the year as the launch window.

The more substantial change to the MacBook Pro, however, is expected later in 2026. Gurman reports that redesigned MacBook Pro models featuring an OLED display and touch support should arrive toward the end of the year, although an early 2027 launch has not been completely ruled out. If Apple sticks to this timeline, it would mean the MacBook Pro sees two distinct updates within the same calendar year.

The redesigned MacBook Pro is shaping up to be one of the biggest updates to the line in years. Rumoured features include an OLED touchscreen, a thinner chassis, and the possible introduction of a Dynamic Island-style interface element. The new models are also expected to debut Apple’s next-generation M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, and there is speculation that built-in cellular connectivity could finally make its way to the MacBook Pro.

This would not be the first time Apple has refreshed the MacBook Pro twice in a single year. In 2023, Apple introduced M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro models in January, followed by M3 Pro and M3 Max versions in October. That precedent makes the idea of a dual refresh in 2026 far more plausible, especially as Apple continues to iterate rapidly on its silicon roadmap.

Beyond the MacBook Pro, Apple’s broader Mac lineup is also expected to see updates. The MacBook Air is widely expected to receive the M5 chip, continuing Apple’s pattern of bringing new silicon to its most popular laptop with minimal external changes. The Mac Studio, aimed at professionals, is expected to move to higher-end M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, further widening the performance gap between consumer and workstation-class Macs.

Apple’s display lineup may also finally see attention. Reports suggest a new Studio Display is in development, with upgrades such as mini-LED backlighting, ProMotion support with refresh rates up to 120Hz, HDR, and a more powerful internal chip, potentially an A19 or A19 Pro. The next-generation Studio Display was reportedly spotted in a Chinese regulatory database last month, adding weight to claims that a launch is approaching.

Gurman has also reiterated that Apple is working on a lower-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone-class chip, as well as an updated Mac mini, both expected to arrive at some point in 2026. The cheaper MacBook is said to use a version of the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro, potentially bringing macOS to a much lower price point.

If these plans hold, 2026 could be one of the most aggressive years for the Mac since Apple’s transition to its own silicon. For MacBook Pro buyers, it also presents a familiar dilemma. Buy early for the M5 performance bump, or wait for what could be the most significant redesign in over half a decade.