According to recent reports, Apple is currently developing a brand-new MacBook Pro, which is expected to become the company’s first notebook featuring a touchscreen OLED display. While Apple’s laptops have traditionally relied on keyboards and trackpads for input, the upcoming model is anticipated to support direct touchscreen interaction. Although Apple previously introduced the unpopular Touch Bar, it has not adopted full touchscreen functionality like some other OEMs. That could soon change.
A well-known industry analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, recently mentioned in a post that the new touchscreen MacBook Pro is expected to enter mass production by the end of 2026, with a planned release in early 2027.
Kuo explained that the forthcoming MacBook Pro will incorporate on-cell touch technology, allowing the display itself to detect touch input without requiring an additional touch layer. He added that this design direction was inspired by Apple's observations of iPad user behavior, where touch interaction has been shown to enhance productivity and overall user experience.
“The more affordable MacBook model powered by iPhone processors, scheduled for mass production in the fourth quarter of 2025, will not feature a touchscreen. Its second-generation version, still under discussion for a potential 2027 release, may include touch capabilities,” Kuo stated in his post.
Notably, the integration of OLED technology is expected to deliver superior contrast, deeper blacks, and improved energy efficiency compared to the Mini-LED displays currently used in MacBook Pro models. According to sources, Samsung Display is likely to be the exclusive supplier of the OLED panels, which will be manufactured at its factory in Asan, South Korea. Production is expected to begin on a dedicated Apple production line, with prototype development anticipated by the end of 2025 and full-scale production starting in Q1 2026. Additionally, the new MacBook Pro is expected to retain the current size options, offering 14-inch and 16-inch display variants.
This is not the first time such developments have been speculated. Earlier reports also suggest that Apple’s resistance to integrating touchscreen functionality in laptops may have shifted due to the success of the iPad and increasing demand for versatile devices. The introduction of a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro is expected to appeal to professionals in creative fields such as video editing and graphic design, where precise touch input can be especially advantageous. There have also been rumors regarding the potential pricing of the new touchscreen MacBook Pro. Although Apple has not officially confirmed any pricing, previous reports suggest that the base model could start at around $2,600. However, this figure may vary depending on component availability and production timelines.
