Apple MacBook Pro to Get OLED Display Upgrade by 2026, Say Experts
Apple just refreshed the MacBook Pro lineup in late 2024, dropping in powerful new M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips along with upgraded displays and ports. But don’t think that means things are slowing down—2026 is shaping up to be another major year for the MacBook Pro, with even more exciting upgrades on the horizon.
OLED Displays Are (Finally) Coming
Multiple sources are pointing to 2026 as the year Apple will finally bring OLED displays to the MacBook Pro. Compared to the current mini-LED screens, OLED tech offers deeper blacks, better contrast, improved brightness, and longer battery life thanks to its energy efficiency.
Analyst Ross Young and research firm Omdia both say Apple’s supply chain will be ready by then. That means we could see both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros switch to OLED in just a couple of years.
A Slimmer, Lighter MacBook Pro
With the move to OLED, Apple might also slim down the MacBook Pro’s body. Remember how thin the M4 iPad Pro was when it launched in May 2024? Apple even called it their “thinnest product ever.” Well, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, that could be a hint at the future of MacBooks, too.
Apple reportedly wants to make the next MacBook Pro thinner without sacrificing battery life or important features. It’s an interesting challenge, especially since the 2021 MacBook Pro actually got thicker to bring back ports like HDMI and MagSafe. If Apple can pull this off, it’ll be a sweet combo of sleek design and full functionality.
No More Notch? Yes, Please
Here’s some news a lot of people will love: The notch might be going away. A report from Omdia says the 2026 MacBook Pros will ditch the notch in favor of a hole-punch front camera, similar to what we’ve seen on many smartphones.
This change would give users more usable screen space and a cleaner, more seamless display—perfect for those who find the notch a bit distracting.
Cellular MacBooks Could Be Coming
Another potential first for the MacBook Pro in 2026? Built-in 5G connectivity.
Apple is reportedly planning to launch its own custom 5G modem in early 2025, starting with the iPhone SE and some lower-end iPads. If all goes well, they might bring cellular support to the Mac lineup soon after.
According to Gurman, Apple is testing the waters and may include a second-gen version of the modem chip—supporting faster mmWave 5G—in future MacBooks. That means you might finally be able to get online with your MacBook Pro wherever you are, no Wi-Fi needed.
M6 Chips Could Be a Game-Changer
Looking even further ahead, the 2026 MacBook Pro might also be the first to feature Apple’s next-gen M6 chip. While the 2025 MacBook Pro is expected to launch with the M5 chip built on TSMC’s N3P 3nm process, the M6 could take things to the next level.
Rumors say Apple could use a new 2nm manufacturing process combined with a fancy new packaging method called WMCM (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module). This would allow them to pack more components—like the CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, and RAM—into a tighter space for better performance and efficiency.
Final Thoughts
If the rumors are true, 2026 could be a huge year for the MacBook Pro. We’re talking OLED screens, a much thinner design, no more notch, built-in 5G, and next-level performance with M6 chips. Apple fans and power users alike have a lot to look forward to.
