According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the 2026 OLED MacBook Pro will feature a touch panel using on-cell touch technology, which integrates touch sensors directly into the display’s top layer rather than using a separate touch layer.

It’s been claimed that this move reflects Apple’s “long-term observation of iPad user behavior, indicating that in certain scenarios, touch controls can enhance both productivity and the overall user experience”.

The premium MacBook Pro refresh is expected to carry OLED displays, possibly thin bezels, and might coincide with the anticipated M6 generation silicon.

Sources suggest the model will enter mass production near the end of 2026 and may launch in the fourth quarter or early 2027, aligning with Apple’s typical product cycle.

In parallel, Apple is also reportedly preparing a more affordable MacBook that would be powered by the iPhone 16 Pro chip the A18 Pro rather than its usual M-series chips.

Kuo has claimed this budget MacBook is expected to enter mass production in Q4 2025, pointing to a possible launch in late 2025 or early 2026.

The supposed device is rumored to retail with a starting price of between $599 and $699 in the US.

This cheaper MacBook is also said to sport a 12.9-inch display, a thin, lightweight design and could come in colours like ilver, blue, pink, and yellow.

Display reports suggest this lower-cost model will not include touch panel support initially, although future generations could adopt it.