Apple’s highly anticipated MacBook Pro refresh is edging closer to production, with new models expected to arrive between the end of 2025 and early 2026. For customers, this means updated hardware is only months away, though the most transformative changes are planned for later in the year.
Performance Boost with M5 Chips
The upcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will debut with Apple’s next-generation M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max processors. These chips are designed to push speed and energy efficiency further, continuing Apple’s emphasis on performance gains without altering the core look of the laptops. This follows the company’s established pattern of refreshing internal components while keeping the external design largely unchanged.
Major Overhaul Planned for Late 2026
While the early 2026 models will focus on chip upgrades, Apple is reserving a set of larger shifts for later in the year. Reports point to four standout changes:
- OLED displays with higher contrast and more vivid colors
- Touchscreen support, marking Apple’s first step into touch-enabled Macs
- A slimmer frame, in line with Apple’s push for lighter, thinner devices
- M6 chips built on TSMC’s advanced 2nm process, promising another leap in performance
Other possibilities include a smaller camera notch and even built-in cellular connectivity, echoing the seamless integration found in iPhones.
Looking Ahead
Apple’s last major MacBook Pro release came in early 2023 with the M2 Pro and M2 Max models. If the timeline holds, the next generation could ship by March 2026, offering a modest upgrade for those who don’t want to wait. However, the larger redesign set for late 2026 is expected to be the more significant milestone, reshaping what professionals and everyday users can expect from the MacBook Pro.
For now, Apple appears to be balancing its strategy—delivering incremental updates in the near term while preparing a more dramatic evolution of the MacBook Pro lineup later in the year.