Despite just announcing new M5 MacBook Pros, Apple is reportedly planning a premium 'Ultra' model with touchscreen and OLED display later this year, potentially breaking its previous upgrade timeline.
Apple surprised many this week with the announcement of new MacBook Pro models featuring the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, but according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company isn't done with major MacBook Pro updates for 2026. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reports that Apple is still on track to release a high-end MacBook Pro featuring both a touchscreen and OLED display by the end of the year.
This upcoming machine would represent a significant departure from Apple's traditional Mac design philosophy, which has long resisted touchscreens on desktop and laptop computers. The inclusion of both touchscreen functionality and OLED display technology would mark the first time Apple has brought these iPad Pro features to the Mac lineup.
Breaking the Upgrade Pattern
The timing of this announcement is particularly interesting given Apple's recent history with MacBook Pro upgrades. In 2023, Apple followed a similar pattern, releasing M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros in January and then upgrading to M3 Pro/Max models in October—a gap of 286 days between announcements.
If Apple maintains a similar timeline this year, we could see an M6 Pro/Max MacBook Pro announcement as early as December 14, 2026. However, Gurman's report suggests Apple might accelerate this timeline, potentially announcing the new model as early as November.
This would be a bold move for Apple, especially considering the company just introduced M5-based models. Historically, Apple has announced several Macs earlier in the year that were released in December, including the 2019 Mac Pro, 2017 iMac Pro, and 2013 Mac Pro.
The 'Ultra' Positioning
Gurman suggests that Apple might brand this premium model as "MacBook Ultra" rather than keeping it within the traditional MacBook Pro lineup. This naming strategy would help differentiate the new model from the recently announced M5 versions and signal its position at the top of Apple's laptop lineup.
The use of OLED display technology and touchscreen functionality would likely result in a higher starting price compared to the current M5 MacBook Pros. This pricing strategy suggests that the Ultra model might not directly replace the M5 models but instead sit above them in Apple's product hierarchy.
Technical Implications
The move to incorporate touchscreen technology into a MacBook Pro raises interesting questions about macOS optimization for touch input. While Apple has maintained that touchscreens don't work well on laptops positioned at an angle, the company has been gradually adding touch-friendly features to macOS over the years.
OLED technology would bring several benefits to the MacBook Pro, including deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, and potentially better power efficiency. However, OLED displays can also suffer from burn-in issues, which would be a new consideration for MacBook Pro users.
Market Strategy
This dual-release strategy—announcing M5 models now and potentially M6 "Ultra" models later in the year—demonstrates Apple's continued push upmarket in its laptop offerings. By creating a clear distinction between standard and premium models, Apple can capture different segments of the professional market while maintaining healthy profit margins.
The decision to continue with M5 models alongside the rumored Ultra version also suggests that Apple recognizes not all professionals need or want touchscreen functionality and OLED displays, allowing the company to offer more affordable options alongside premium features.
What to Expect
While the exact specifications remain unknown, the M6 Pro/Max chip powering this Ultra model would likely offer performance improvements over the M5 series. Combined with the new display and touch technologies, this could create a compelling upgrade path for creative professionals and power users.
As with any product roadmap, there's always the possibility that development delays could push this release into 2027. However, for now, the expectation remains that Apple will deliver this premium MacBook Pro experience before the end of 2026, potentially reshaping the company's laptop lineup just months after what many thought would be the year's main MacBook Pro update.
For users considering the newly announced M5 MacBook Pros, this news presents a dilemma: purchase now or wait for potentially groundbreaking features later in the year. As always with Apple's product cycles, timing remains everything.
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