Apple prepares to break tradition with a touchscreen MacBook Pro

Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch its first-ever MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, according to a new forecast from supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He suggests the feature will debut on the upcoming OLED MacBook Pro models, which are expected to enter mass production by late 2026.

A special OLED MacBook Pro is expected in late 2026

While we’ve been hearing touchscreen-related rumours about this purported machine for months now, this isn’t something pulled from thin air. Kuo’s report builds on previous reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has been talking about Apple’s interest in touch-panel Macs for a couple of years.

Kuo believes Apple has been watching how people use their iPads and realised that touch controls could seriously boost productivity in certain situations. The new laptops will apparently use on-cell touch technology, which integrates the touch sensors directly into the display’s top layer.

This move fuels the long-running idea that the iPad and MacBook are on a collision course. iPadOS received multiple computer-like features with its latest iteration, and now it seems only natural for the MacBook to finally embrace the touch interface as well.

ALSO READ: iOS 26: New Apple Intelligence features are now live

This potential launch creates a crowded timeline for Apple. Gurman reported that M5-powered MacBook Pros could land in early 2026. This suggests Apple might pull a 2023 and release two Pro updates in one year with an M6 generation featuring the new OLED touchscreen arriving later in 2026.

Other expected changes for the OLED models include a thinner design and a smaller notch.

Do not expect this fancy new feature on all models straight away. Kuo notes that the rumoured low-cost MacBook, slated for production late this year, will stick with a traditional non-touch display. A touchscreen version of that cheaper model might not appear until a second-generation refresh in 2027, keeping the feature a “pro” perk for a while.