Apple is apparently planning a completely new MacBook class above the MacBook Pro. The so-called MacBook Ultra is expected to be the first MacBook with an OLED display, touchscreen, and the new M6 chip – a device unlike any other. Originally, the launch was planned for late 2026, but according to Gurman, the global memory chip crisis has now pushed the release back to early 2027.
The MacBook Pro was last updated in March 2026 with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Externally, little has changed since the 2021 redesign. However, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple is simultaneously working on a completely new laptop that is not intended to replace the MacBook Pro, but rather to surpass it.
Gurman calls the device "MacBook Ultra" - a name that would fit with the existing Ultra branding of Apple Watch Ultra, CarPlay Ultra, and the M Ultra chips. Whether Apple will actually choose this name is not yet confirmed. Gurman himself acknowledges that Apple "could retain the traditional MacBook Pro name," but considers the Ultra name more likely.
One thing is certain: this MacBook will be fundamentally different from all previous Macs. We've already categorized the existing MacBook models in our comparisons MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro 2026 and MacBook Pro M5: 14 vs. 16 inch. The MacBook Ultra would be a completely new category.
The most important points in brief
| Detail | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Product | New top-tier MacBook above the MacBook Pro |
| Name | "MacBook Ultra" (not confirmed) |
| Display | OLED (tandem), first time touchscreen |
| Chip | M6 Pro and M6 Max (2nm process) |
| Design | Thinner, lighter, Dynamic Island instead of Notch |
| 5G | Possible via Apple C2 modem |
| Release | Early 2027 (postponed due to memory chip crisis) |
| Price | Significantly more expensive than the current MacBook Pro, estimated to start at €3,000. |
Positioning: Four MacBook lines
With the MacBook Ultra, Apple would be offering four MacBook tiers for the first time:
| Model | Starting price | Target group |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Neo | 699 € | Beginners, students |
| MacBook Air | from €1,199 | everyday life, mobile users |
| MacBook Pro | from €1,899 | Professionals, creatives |
| MacBook Ultra | from ~3,000+ € | High-end professionals, creatives |
The MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max will remain available for purchase. The Ultra does not replace it, but rather complements it – similar to how the Apple Watch Ultra exists alongside the Series.
Gurman speculates that Apple might deliberately introduce the OLED model as a new high-end variant. Such a strategy would have two advantages: It would spread demand across two price segments, thus easing the tight supply of components. At the same time, Apple could achieve higher margins without raising the entry-level price of the MacBook Pro.
Display: OLED and touchscreen
First OLED in a MacBook
The MacBook Ultra is expected to use a tandem OLED display – the same technology Apple introduced in the iPad Pro in 2024. Two superimposed OLED layers provide extreme brightness, deep blacks, and a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. Samsung Display is expected to be the exclusive panel supplier.
The current MacBook Pros use Mini-LED (Liquid Retina XDR). Switching to OLED offers better color accuracy, a thinner design, and higher energy efficiency – at the cost of a higher price.
Samsung Display has now mastered manufacturing to such an extent that yields are consistently above 90 percent – individual process steps even reach 95 percent. In the industry, this is considered the "golden yield" and marks the threshold at which economically viable mass production becomes possible. Initial shipments are scheduled to begin in June 2026, with approximately two million panels planned for this year – distributed across 14- and 16-inch models. Samsung Display is currently operating one of two Gen 8.6 lines; the second could be activated if needed, doubling capacity. This gives Apple a flexible scaling path should OLED demand pick up faster than anticipated. Remarkably, the delay in the market launch to early 2027 is therefore not due to the displays themselves – the display side is ready for production.
First touchscreen in a Mac
The MacBook Ultra would be the first Mac with touchscreen support. Apple has insisted for years that touchscreens don't belong on laptops – this stance has changed. Reports indicate that Apple is working on a reinforced hinge design to minimize screen wobble when typing.
macOS 27 is expected to bring system-wide touch support: When you touch an element on the screen, macOS will dynamically adapt and display larger, touch-optimized controls. Pinch-to-zoom and faster scrolling will also be supported.
The notch disappears: It is replaced by a Dynamic Island, as known from the iPhone. This creates more display area and enables context-sensitive ads directly on the screen.
Chip: M6 Pro and M6 Max
The M6 chip is manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process – one step more advanced than the 3nm process of the M5. This means:
- Higher transistor density for more power
- Significantly improved energy efficiency
- New WMCM packaging (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module)
The MacBook Ultra is expected to be released in variants with the M6 Pro and M6 Max processors. A base model with the regular M6 chip is reportedly not planned for the OLED version – this could be released separately as a more affordable MacBook Pro with the M6, but without OLED and without a touchscreen.
Design: Thinner, lighter, new casing
The MacBook Ultra is expected to be the first complete redesign of the MacBook Pro since 2021:
- Thinner casing – inspired by the M4 iPad Pro
- Lighter, without compromising on ports or battery.
- Dynamic Island instead of Notch
- 14-inch and 16-inch models will remain.
- Narrower display bezels thanks to flexible OLED panels
According to reports, Apple has developed a reinforced hinge technology to keep the touchscreen stable. The casing remains a classic clamshell design – not a convertible, not a hybrid.
5G connectivity
The MacBook Ultra could be the first Mac with cellular connectivity. Apple introduced its first proprietary cellular modem (C1) in the iPhone 16e and the C1X in the iPhone Air. The MacBook Ultra is expected to use the C2 modem – the same chip rumored to be used in the iPhone 18 Pro.
This would make 5G internet access directly on the MacBook possible for the first time – without a hotspot or tethering. However, it's not yet certain whether 5G will actually be included in the MacBook Ultra or postponed to later models.
Release: Early 2027 instead of late 2026
Gurman had originally projected a launch between late 2026 and early 2027, with a likely announcement in October or November 2026. However, on April 19, 2026, he revised his statement: the launch is more likely to take place towards the end of this timeframe, i.e., early 2027.
The reason is the global memory chip crisis. The shortages of RAM and SSD storage are affecting not only desktop Macs like the Mac Studio M5, but also Apple's premium notebooks. Even Apple, with its long-term supply contracts, cannot escape the worldwide scarcity.
Gurman clarifies: Software is not the problem. The adjustments for the new touchscreen in macOS 27 will be completed as planned in fall 2026. However, the notebook itself cannot be shipped until sufficient components are available. Read more in our article MacBook Ultra: Launch delayed due to storage crisis.
Samsung's production of the OLED panels is scheduled to start in May 2026 – so technically everything is ready. The delay is purely a matter of component availability.
Price: Premium is getting more expensive
Gurman points out that Apple raised prices by around 20 percent when it introduced OLED displays in the iPhone X (2017) and the iPad Pro (2024). A similar price increase for the MacBook Ultra is likely.
For comparison: The current 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max starts at €4,199. A MacBook Ultra could start at €3,000 to €3,500 for the 14-inch model and cost well over €5,000 in its top configuration.
For whom is the wait worthwhile?
The MacBook Ultra isn't an upgrade for everyone – it's a product for users who want the best and are willing to pay for it. HDR video editing on an OLED display, on-screen touch interaction, 5G on the go, and a 2nm chip – that's the target audience.
Anyone who has just bought a MacBook Pro with M5 Pro or M5 Max doesn't need to worry: These devices will remain on sale and are more than sufficient for the vast majority of professional workflows.
However, anyone who's already waiting for a new high-end MacBook and has the budget should wait until early 2027. The delay of a few months isn't a major issue – and could even mean that Apple will have enough units in stock at launch to meet demand. The MacBook Ultra could be the biggest leap forward in MacBook history.
The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / akay007)
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