OLED MacBook Pro Redesign May Be Limited to M6 Pro and M6 Max Models

Apple is reportedly gearing up for a big redesign of the MacBook Pro, but not every version is set to benefit from the makeover. According to Mark Gurman’s latest insights from Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter, the much-anticipated OLED overhaul will be reserved solely for the upper-tier models featuring the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips.

Redesigned MacBook Pro to Feature OLED and Touch Support

This revamp is set to be the first significant change to the MacBook Pro since 2021. Predictions suggest these new models will include OLED displays with touch capabilities, boast a slimmer design, and possibly introduce a Dynamic Island-style notch replacement. Such changes could enhance the MacBook Pro’s appeal by offering greater versatility and a modern look, attracting professionals who need high color precision and contrast.

Gurman cites Apple’s plans to debut the OLED MacBook Pro redesign between late 2026 and early 2027. He describes this venture as one of the few “major shifts” on the horizon in Apple’s Mac roadmap, particularly as it moves away from the mini-LED displays currently in use.

M6 Pro and M6 Max Models Will Get Exclusive Design

As Apple’s M6 chip lineup is expected to arrive in 2026, Gurman speculates that the fresh design will be exclusive to the M6 Pro and M6 Max models. The standard MacBook Pro outfitted with the basic M6 chip will likely stick with its present design, a nod to Apple’s tendency to reserve higher-end aesthetic and performance advancements for its premium models.

For context, today’s MacBook Pro lineup starts with a 14-inch base model utilizing the M5 chip, while the high-end 14-inch and 16-inch models run on M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. Beyond performance, these models differ primarily in cooling systems—single fan for the base, dual fans for the Pro and Max. It seems Apple plans to continue this pattern with the M6 wave.

Incremental M5 Refresh Coming Before the Redesign

Before the OLED redesign takes center stage, Apple is planning an M5-based refresh slated for early 2026. Gurman suggests this refresh will include MacBook Pros powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, alongside an M5-fueled MacBook Air. These upgrades are projected to be “evolutionary, not revolutionary,” concentrating on boosting performance rather than altering the design.

Come later in 2026, Apple also intends to release M5 and M5 Pro Mac mini models, as well as M5 Max and M5 Ultra versions of the Mac Studio, ahead of the M6 rollout.

Apple’s Strategy Behind OLED Exclusivity

By limiting the OLED redesign to the M6 Pro and M6 Max models, Apple might be aiming to position the high-end MacBook Pro as a distinctively premium choice. This approach likely nudges professionals towards opting for more robust configurations and keeps a clear line between entry-level and high-end models.

In his report, Gurman briefly touches on a forthcoming low-cost Apple laptop, codenamed J700, which is expected to run on a chip akin to the iPhone-based processor with performance close to the M1. With a rumored price tag around $600, this option could spark competition with Chromebooks and mid-tier Windows laptops.

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