Apple's long-anticipated leap to OLED for the MacBook Pro, a shift promising deeper blacks, rich colors, and slimmer bezels, and better energy efficiency, now appears to be delayed. A new report claims that the machine will launch a bit later than originally expected, but this clears the floating rumors around the M5 version of the device. According to Mark Gurman, the M6 MacBook Pro with an OLED display is now expected "between the end of 2026 and early 2027," a change that fits Apple's pattern of staggering upgrades, with an M5 refresh likely arriving before it.
Apple’s upcoming MacBook Pro lineup could see a rare dual release, bridging performance and design evolution
It was previously reported by Gurman that the company was considering delaying the MacBook Pro, with the M5 chip variants pushed back until 2026. If this is the case and the company sticks to its annual release cycle, the M6 MacBook Pro models would be delayed by a year, but today's report specifically highlights that Apple could be considering a dual-release approach, similar to what it did in 2023. If you are not familiar with it, Apple announced the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro models in January of 2023, followed by newer models in October 2023, which featured the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips.
If Apple is following the same approach, we could see the M5 MacBook Pro models in January of 2026, and then later in the year, the company could announce the M6 MacBook Pro with an OLED display and a refreshed design. Samsung Display is expected to supply the "tandem" OLED panels, using the advanced 8.6 production method to boost efficiency and reduce costs. This could result in a thinner, brighter MacBook Pro with improved battery life. Apple is also rumored to remove the notch on the machine, replacing it with a hole-punch cutout or a version of the Dynamic Island, potentially incorporating Face ID. This would give the MacBook Pro models a cleaner look and feel with more usable screen space.
More importantly, the OLED shift will provide a visual and ergonomic overhaul that could finally convince M1 and M2 Mac users to upgrade. The new panel would also provide richer color accuracy, better HDR capabilities, and deeper blacks, making it a go-to option for creative professionals who demand the best display specifications and technology. Moreover, Apple would also move the MacBook Pro closer to the iPhone and iPad lineup with the same OLED experience.
If Apple waits until 2027 to announce the OLED MacBook Pro models, next year's M5 MacBook Pro could serve as a "value" stopgap for those who need performance now. The delay could also be a marketing strategy from the company's end to create hype before the big release. We will share additional details on the device, so be sure to keep an eye out.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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