In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman reports that Apple is planning to release two MacBook Pro variants this year.
A Mac with an OLED Display
There wasn't a Power On newsletter from Mark Gurman in December last year, possibly because of the holidays. But now he's back with his latest insights on Apple. One of the main highlights from his latest coverage is that Apple will release two MacBook Pro models this year.
The first release will reportedly get very minimal upgrades from its predecessor. Specifically, it is believed to feature the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, along with a new in-house N1 networking chip. Although Gurman didn't specify a particular release date, he did mention that the device could launch in the first half of the year.
The second half of 2026 is what MacBook Pro fans should look forward to. The newsletter suggests that Apple will release a revamped MacBook Pro toward the end of 2026, with it seeing some important changes such as the addition of an OLED display.
Recommended For You
The MacBook Pro currently uses a mini-LED panel, which definitely isn't bad, but the inclusion of an OLED display will ensure you get to see brighter colors than the current panel displays. It's expected that the redesigned MacBook Pro will use the same tandem OLED that was first added to the iPad Pro released in 2024.
Gurman also reports that this new MacBook Pro will get touch support. Similar to the 120 Hz in the base iPhone models, the touch screen support in the MacBook Pro is another technology that Apple has delayed for so long, even when its competitors have been offering it for years. For instance, there have been touchscreen Windows laptops on the market for multiple years now.
The only kind of touchscreen support that Apple laptops have had until now is the Touch Bar that was present in the MacBook Pro models released between 2016 and 2022. That said, it wouldn't be the first time that the tech giant has released two variants of its Pro laptops in a single year. In 2023, January saw the release of the M2 Pro and M2 Max models. Then, in October of the same year, the M3 Pro and M3 Max variants were also unveiled.
What's in the pipeline for other Macs in 2026?
Apple's MacBook Air with M4 Chip. | Image Credit - Apple
Mark Gurman's report also highlights Apple's plans for other MacBooks this year. According to it, the first half of this year will also see the release of a new MacBook Air. Similar to the first MacBook Pro coming out this year, the Air will get the M5 chip and Apple's N1 networking chip as only upgrades over its previous model. A last year's Power On newsletter suggests that OLED displays aren't coming to the Air before 2028.
Apple has plans to release a new Mac Studio, which will most likely feature M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. Along with the release of a revamped MacBook Pro, the second half of 2026 could also see the release of a new Mac Mini and a MacBook that would be even cheaper than the MacBook Air.
The latter is reported to run on an iPhone-grade chip instead of the regular chipsets found in Apple laptops. According to a recent finding, it could feature the same A18 processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro and would cost somewhere between $599 and $899 in the US.
Which upcoming product from the Mac line are you most excited about?
MacBook Pro with OLED screen.
50%
New MacBook Air.
25%
New Mac Studio.
0%
New Mac Mini.
0%
New low-cost MacBook.
25%
2026 looks like a promising year for Apple's computer line
While 2026 might not be the most exciting year for iPhone fans, with recent rumors suggesting that the base iPhone variant isn't coming this year, Apple's computer line is definitely going to see some notable launches. A regular MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, a revamped MacBook Pro, and a lower-cost MacBook. Personally, I am really excited for the cheaper MacBook model.
I've always wanted to upgrade from Windows to Mac but haven't done so because of the high price of a MacBook. In India, where I live, Apple products cost even more than their US prices due to factors such as import duties. But with a low-cost model finally coming up, I might be able to fulfill my dream of owning a MacBook. I believe its A18 chip will be strong enough to handle all my day-to-day expectations.
As aforementioned, the Power On newsletter doesn't mention the exact release date of these products other than highlighting that they could come in the first and second half of the year. So, we'll have to wait until Apple shares an official launch date for these devices.
Aman Kumar is a tech news writer with a long-standing passion for smartphones. Aman specializes in everything smartphones, from AI features like Pixel’s Camera Coach to understanding ideal hardware combinations. He loves breaking down complex features in a simple, clear way and hopes manufacturers bring back bold designs like the Nokia N-Gage. When he’s not writing, he’s either gaming on PUBG or talking fitness as a dedicated gym enthusiast.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: