Apple has spent nearly two decades insisting that touchscreens don’t belong on a Mac. That position is about to change. The MacBook Ultra — Apple’s most ambitious laptop ever — is shaping up to be a landmark product, combining a touchscreen display, OLED technology, and next-generation silicon into a single machine that sits above everything else in the MacBook lineup. Here is everything we know so far.
What Is the MacBook Ultra?
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman was first to suggest that rather than a standard MacBook Pro refresh, Apple is developing an all-new kind of MacBook — a top-tier device that will sit above the current M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros rather than replace them.
The product is described as a regular clamshell Mac notebook — not a detachable, not a fold-back convertible, and not a Mac-iPad hybrid. This is a high-end MacBook that changes how you interact with the display without changing what the machine fundamentally is.
The name itself is still unconfirmed. Gurman noted that while Apple could keep the traditional MacBook Pro name, a MacBook Ultra moniker would more clearly signal its position at the top of the lineup.
Display: OLED Touchscreen — A First for Mac
The display is the headline feature of the MacBook Ultra, and it marks a dramatic departure from anything Apple has put in a laptop before.
The MacBook Ultra will move to OLED and gain touchscreen capabilities, allowing Mac users to use both their fingers and a keyboard and trackpad for input.
Apple will likely use Tandem OLED technology — the same type introduced in the M4 iPad Pro — where two OLED panels are stacked to produce a higher level of brightness. This would deliver deeper blacks, richer colours, higher contrast, superior HDR performance, and better viewing angles compared to the current mini-LED displays in MacBook Pro models.
Another display-related change is a hole-punch camera, paving the way for a Dynamic Island instead of a notch. Like on the iPhone, the Dynamic Island would display things such as low battery alerts and AirPods connection indicators in the area surrounding the camera at the top of the screen.
Design: The Biggest MacBook Redesign Since 2021
Thanks to the thinner OLED panel, the MacBook Ultra is also rumoured to feature a slimmer and lighter design overall. It is expected to come in 14-inch and 16-inch variants.
Apple last redesigned the MacBook Pro in 2021, meaning the MacBook Ultra would represent the first major redesign in at least five years. There is no indication that Apple plans to remove ports like HDMI, MagSafe, or the SD card slot to achieve the thinner design.
Chip: M6 Pro and M6 Max on 2nm
The MacBook Ultra is rumoured to ship with M6 Pro and M6 Max processors, built on TSMC’s advanced 2nm process rather than the current 3nm. The move should deliver meaningful gains in both performance and battery efficiency — and while generational improvements are typically in the 10–15% range, the jump to 2nm could yield even larger gains.
Built-in 5G Connectivity
The MacBook Ultra is rumoured to include built-in cellular connectivity via Apple’s own C1X modem or its successor, the C2. If true, it would be Apple’s first MacBook that can connect to cellular networks independently — no iPhone hotspot required.
Who Is It For?
The MacBook Ultra would be particularly appealing to creative professionals such as video editors, photographers, and graphic designers, as well as media enthusiasts who value superior display performance.
The MacBook Ultra is positioned to establish a new top-tier category in Apple’s laptop hierarchy, sitting above the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro.
Price: Expect to Pay a Premium
No official price exists yet, but the signals are clear — this will be the most expensive MacBook Apple has ever sold.
Gurman noted that when Apple brought OLED displays to the iPhone X in 2017 and the iPad Pro in 2024, it simultaneously raised prices by around 20%. He believes a similar increase is likely with the MacBook Ultra.
Macworld has noted that “this new MacBook will cost significantly more than the current MacBook Pro and offer an entirely new feature set.” Given that the current MacBook Pro already reaches well over €3,000 at the top end, the MacBook Ultra could push into genuinely uncharted territory for a Mac laptop.
Release Date: Late 2026 or Early 2027?
The exact launch timing remains uncertain. Gurman recently said that early 2027 is now looking more likely than late 2026, due to the global memory chip shortage constraining Apple’s supply of RAM.
Most recent reports have claimed that the device has been pushed to 2027, though late 2026 remains possible if supply constraints ease.
Part of Apple’s Bigger “Ultra” Push
The MacBook Ultra is not arriving in isolation. Apple is planning to launch at least three Ultra-branded devices, including the iPhone Ultra foldable, AirPods Ultra with computer-vision cameras, and the MacBook Ultra with its touch-enabled OLED display.
Macworld also theorises about an iPad Ultra, Mac Studio Ultra, and AirPods Ultra further down the line — suggesting Apple may be laying the groundwork for “Ultra” to become a permanent premium tier across its entire hardware range.
Should You Wait for the MacBook Ultra?
Wait if you: want the absolute best MacBook ever made, need a touchscreen for creative work, or are a professional who can justify the premium price.
Don’t wait if you: need a laptop now, don’t care about OLED or touch, or are concerned about first-generation hardware issues — the current M5 Pro MacBook Pro remains an outstanding machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the MacBook Ultra coming out? Late 2026 was the original target, but due to a global RAM shortage, early 2027 is now considered more likely.
Will the MacBook Ultra have a touchscreen? Yes. This is expected to be one of its defining features — a first for any MacBook.
What chip will the MacBook Ultra use? The M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, built on TSMC’s 2-nanometer process.
How much will the MacBook Ultra cost? No official price confirmed, but analysts expect it to cost around 20% more than the equivalent MacBook Pro — potentially starting above €3,500 in Europe.
Is the MacBook Ultra the same as the MacBook Pro? No. It will sit above the MacBook Pro as an entirely new, higher-tier product while the MacBook Pro continues to be sold separately.
Sources & Further Reading
- MacRumors — Apple Planning MacBook Ultra
- MacRumors — MacBook Ultra: Up to Six New Features
- Tom’s Guide — MacBook Ultra: All the Rumors So Far
- Macworld — Touchscreen MacBook Pro M6: Specs & Release Date
- TechRadar — MacBook Ultra Price Warning
- Notebookcheck — OLED Touchscreen MacBook Confirmed as MacBook Ultra
- Geeky Gadgets — MacBook Ultra 2026 Leaks
Last updated: May 2026. This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
