While the upcoming M5 MacBook Pro models are expected to retain the same design as their recent predecessors, Apple may be saving a major visual and functional overhaul for later this year. According to a new report from The Elec (via 9to5Mac), a second, more exciting MacBook Pro release is slated for the final quarter of 2026.
This rumored redesign would mark the first significant aesthetic change to the MacBook Pro line in years. The report indicates the new model could feature:
A slimmer overall chassis
A punch-hole cutout for the FaceTime camera, replacing the current notch
Apple’s first touchscreen MacBook Pro
A high-end OLED display
For creative professionals, the potential shift to an OLED panel is the most tantalizing upgrade. Currently, only the iPad Pro utilizes Apple’s advanced two-stack tandem OLED technology, which offers superior brightness, higher contrast ratios, and more vibrant colors compared to the mini-LED screens in current MacBook Pros. This would represent a significant leap forward for color-critical work in design, video editing, and photography.
The addition of a touchscreen would also be a historic move, breaking from Apple’s long-standing separation of its touch-based iPadOS and pointer-based macOS interfaces.
The report suggests that after the expected M5-powered, design-continuation models arrive soon, Apple will focus its innovation on this redesigned lineup for a late 2026 launch. If accurate, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Apple hardware, with a folding iPhone also rumored for release.
As with all rumors, these details should be taken with caution until officially confirmed by Apple. However, the prospect of a slimmer, OLED, touch-enabled MacBook Pro represents the most substantial upgrade path for the flagship laptop in nearly half a decade.
