Apple hasn’t changed the MacBook Pro design for years. Since 2021, chips and minor details have been updated, but the laptop’s appearance and screen remained the same. In the second half of 2026, everything could change — according to rumors, the company is preparing a model with an OLED display and touchscreen at the price of an airplane wing. It sounds like a dream, but I have questions: does an ordinary user even need this?
Apple’s first MacBook with a touchscreen could arrive very soon, but I don’t want it
What We Know About the MacBook Pro with Touchscreen
Let’s clarify right away: Apple has not officially confirmed anything. Everything described below is based on rumors and leaks, albeit from trusted sources like Mark Gurman of Bloomberg and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The OLED screen in the MacBook will take image quality to a new level
According to the latest reports, the new MacBook Pro will feature an OLED screen with Tandem OLED technology — the same as in the 2024 iPad Pro. This means deeper blacks, higher brightness, and better color accuracy compared to the current mini-LED displays.
The second major change is a touchscreen on the Mac. For the first time in Mac history, you’ll be able to control the system with finger touches. The keyboard and trackpad aren’t going anywhere — touch will be an additional input method.
How the New MacBook Pro Will Differ from the Old One
According to Bloomberg, the notch at the top of the screen will be replaced by Dynamic Island on the MacBook — the interactive “island” familiar from the iPhone. The camera will move into a small cutout in the display, freeing up screen space.
The notch will be replaced by Dynamic Island
macOS is also promised to be adapted: if the user touches an interface element with their finger, the system will show enlarged controls. If a mouse or trackpad is used — everything stays the same. Support for gestures like pinch-to-zoom and scrolling is also planned.
The body is promised to be thinner, and the screen hinge will be reinforced so the display doesn’t wobble when touched. The sizes — 14 and 16 inches — will remain the same.
How Much Will the MacBook Pro with Touchscreen Cost
The new models will reportedly run on M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, which Apple will manufacture using a 2-nanometer process. This is the next generation after the current M5, and it shouldn’t be expected before late 2026 — early 2027.
The current MacBook Pro (left) and a conceptual representation of the updated model
A separate question is the price. According to Macworld’s estimate, the cost could increase by at least $200 compared to current models. Gurman predicts an increase of “several hundred dollars.” Currently, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro starts at $2,199, and the 16-inch version starts at $2,699. Adding $200–400, the new model could start from $2,399–2,599 for the 14-inch version (approximately 258,000–280,000 ₽ in Russia).
There’s even a theory that Apple will name this lineup not MacBook Pro, but MacBook Ultra, positioning it as a separate top-tier product above the current MacBook Pro.
Does the MacBook Pro Need a Touchscreen
My position is simple: the OLED screen is great news, but touch controls raise skepticism. And there are historical reasons for this.
Poking the laptop screen with your fingers is questionable
Apple has already tried adding a touch element to the MacBook Pro. The Touch Bar — an OLED strip replacing the function keys — appeared in 2016 and lasted until 2023, when it was quietly removed. Steve Jobs called touchscreens on laptops “ergonomically terrible” back in 2010, and Tim Cook compared the idea of combining a tablet and laptop to a hybrid of a toaster and a refrigerator.
The Touch Bar didn’t catch on for several reasons: developers didn’t support it, users lost physical keys, and repairs cost hundreds of dollars. I fear that the touchscreen on the display could repeat a similar story — fingerprints, arm fatigue, and questionable benefits for those accustomed to the trackpad.
An important nuance: macOS will reportedly adapt to the input method. If you don’t want to use touch — the system will work as usual. This inspires cautious optimism.
Should You Wait for the New MacBook Pro
If you need a MacBook Pro right now, the current models with M5 Pro and M5 Max are powerful and proven machines. Yes, they’re expensive, but if you want top performance, the choice is very simple.
For many users, the trackpad and keyboard remain the most comfortable way to work
Waiting makes sense for those who specifically want an OLED screen on a MacBook: deep blacks, high contrast, better color accuracy — for photographers, video editors, and designers, this is truly a noticeable step forward. But if you work with text, code, or spreadsheets — the current mini-LED MacBook Pro screen remains one of the best on the market.
The touchscreen remains a question without an answer for now. Until Apple shows how macOS will interact with fingers in practice, it’s impossible to assess the real benefit. The Touch Bar experience taught us to be cautious.
The main takeaway: an OLED screen on the MacBook Pro is an objective improvement that has been anticipated for years. Touch controls are still a question mark.
