The upcoming MacBook Pro redesign is expected to arrive unusually quickly in the entry-level model. Instead of the usual years before leaks, this time it would only take around six months – powered by an M7 chip, which Apple is said to have prioritized.
When Apple introduces a new MacBook Pro design, it traditionally takes a while for it to reach the more affordable models. A recent report now suggests that this rule might not apply to the next redesign. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a redesigned 14-inch entry-level MacBook Pro with an M7 chip, which is expected to be released as early as the first half of 2027 – internally codenamed K104. This information corroborates the plan for a redesigned entry-level MacBook Pro and new iPad Pro models, which was reported in early July, and suggests a timeframe that is significantly earlier than previously thought.
Why the schedule is out of the ordinary this time
The real break with tradition lies in the pace. In the past, Apple regularly took years before a design leap reached its base model. When the then-new MacBook Pro design with Touch Bar launched in 2016, the entry-level model didn't receive it until 2019. A similar pattern followed the major redesign in 2021: The 14-inch models with the M1 Pro and M1 Max appeared immediately in the new enclosure, while the base model remained with the older form factor until 2023, only switching to the new chassis with the M3 chip. The Retina redesign of 2012 also followed this pattern of staggered introductions.
This time, the gap is expected to shrink to around six months. This would mean the redesign would move from the premium to the entry-level segment practically within the same cycle – a break with a product logic that has been established for years. Just recently, reports pointed in the opposite direction: the redesign initially seemed to be reserved for the more expensive M6 Pro and M6 Max models.
The chip reshuffle surrounding M5, M6 and M7
The situation is further complicated by the processors that Apple is reportedly allocating to its various models. The redesigned high-end MacBook Pros, expected in fall 2026, are not expected to launch with an M6 generation processor, but rather with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. This is due to a strategic decision: Apple is said to have abandoned plans for high-performance M6 chips in order to accelerate the development of the M7.
This results in an unusual dual approach for the base model. Alongside the redesigned high-end devices, another entry-level MacBook Pro is slated for release in fall 2026 – still featuring the current design and a standard M6 chip. Only the model with the M7, planned for early 2027, would bring the new design to the entry-level segment. Within just a few months, two different entry-level variants would thus be available side-by-side.
The reported sequence at a glance:
| Period | Model | Chip | Design |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn 2026 | Entry-level MacBook Pro | M6 | previous design |
| Autumn 2026 | High-end (marketed as MacBook Ultra) | M5 Pro / M5 Max | new design |
| Spring 2027 | Entry-level MacBook Pro (K104) | M7 | new design |
| Autumn 2027 | High-end MacBook Pro | M7 Pro / M7 Max | new design |
What the new design should bring
Visually and technically, the redesign is intended to be more than just a facelift. A slightly slimmer chassis and OLED displays, which will support touch input for the first time, are expected. Additionally, there's the possibility that Apple will introduce Dynamic Island, similar to the iPhone. These features are expected to initially characterize the high-end models marketed as MacBook Ultras before migrating to the entry-level M7 model. If this proves true, the entry-level MacBook Pro would gain access to these innovations significantly earlier than the previous release schedule would suggest.
The price is the real sticking point
For price-conscious buyers, the earlier release date could be good news. The redesigned high-end model with the M5 Pro is expected to be significantly more expensive – estimates suggest a price tag of over $2,500. Those who wait for the entry-level model with the M7 and identical design would only have to wait until spring 2027, instead of paying the premium price.
The context behind this, however, remains sobering: Today's entry-level MacBook Pro costs $1,999 in the US – a level that was only the case for the Pro chip variants less than a year ago. This development is driven by a persistent storage shortage, which has already resulted in broader price increases for Macs and iPads. An earlier available entry-level model mitigates this effect, but does not eliminate it.
Apple's MacBook roadmap is becoming more tightly scheduled
Should the information prove true, Apple would revamp its MacBook Pro lineup several times within a year – with a chip distribution that deviates from the usual numbering logic and a redesign that is being rolled out unusually quickly to lower-end models. Until an official unveiling, however, the codename K104 and the spring 2027 release date remain just that: a report outlining Apple's plans, but not yet providing any certainty. (Image: Shutterstock / Dontree_M)
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