Apple plans to refresh much of its Mac lineup in the first half of the year. The updates cover MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and the Studio Display. The focus stays on new chips first, followed by bigger design changes later.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported these plans in his Power On newsletter, where he said the next round of MacBook Pro models with OLED and touch screens “should be hitting toward the end of 2026.” His report points to a two-step update cycle for the MacBook Pro line this year.
MacBook Pro Updates Come in Two Steps
Apple plans to update the MacBook Pro twice. The first update centers on performance. New models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to arrive soon. These machines keep the current design and focus on faster speeds and better efficiency.
Later, Apple plans a much larger change. Gurman says redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen “should be hitting toward the end of 2026.” This second update would mark a clear shift in the MacBook Pro line.
Expected features for the redesigned models include:
- OLED display with touch support
- Thinner overall design
- Possible Dynamic Island-style interface
- M6 Pro and M6 Max chips
- Built-in cellular connectivity
Apple has done two MacBook Pro updates in one year before. In 2023, the company released M2 Pro and M2 Max models in January, followed by M3 Pro and M3 Max models in October. That history supports the idea of another double refresh.
MacBook Air and Mac Studio Get M5 Chips
The MacBook Air is also set for an update. Apple plans to move it to the M5 chip, keeping its role as the lighter and more affordable option in the lineup.
Mac Studio will target higher-end users. It is expected to ship with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, continuing its focus on heavy workloads like video editing and 3D work.
Studio Display Update Is Also in the Works
Apple is working on a new Studio Display as well. Reports point to several upgrades aimed at professionals.
Rumored features include:
- Mini-LED backlighting
- ProMotion with up to 120Hz refresh rate
- HDR support
- An A19 or A19 Pro chip
Last month, a next-generation Studio Display reportedly appeared in a Chinese regulatory database, suggesting development is moving forward.
Low-Cost Mac for Later This Year
Apple is not stopping with high-end machines. Gurman also reports plans for:
- A lower-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone-class chip
- An updated Mac mini
The lower-cost MacBook is expected to use a version of the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro chip. This move would give Apple a cheaper entry point into the Mac lineup while keeping performance reasonable.
Overall, Apple’s Mac strategy this year looks split by design. Early releases focus on chip upgrades. Bigger visual and functional changes come later. The approach keeps the lineup fresh without forcing everything into a single launch window.
