{"id":66708,"date":"2026-04-14T22:00:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T20:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=66708"},"modified":"2026-04-14T22:04:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T20:04:21","slug":"macbook-ultra-all-rumors-at-a-glance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/en\/allgemein\/macbook-ultra-alle-geruechte-im-ueberblick","title":{"rendered":"MacBook Ultra: All the rumors at a glance"},"content":{"rendered":"

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 \u2013 a device unlike any other. The launch is expected for late 2026, but may be delayed until early 2027.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MacBook Pro was last updated<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> acknowledges that Apple \"could retain the traditional MacBook Pro name,\" but considers the Ultra name more likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> and MacBook Pro M5: 14 vs. 16 inch<\/a>. The MacBook Ultra would be a completely new category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MacBook Ultra: The most important points in brief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Detail<\/th>Expectation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Product<\/td>New top-tier MacBook above the MacBook Pro<\/td><\/tr>
Name<\/td>\"MacBook Ultra\" (not confirmed)<\/td><\/tr>
Display<\/td>OLED (tandem), first time touchscreen<\/td><\/tr>
Chip<\/td>M6 Pro and M6 Max (2nm process)<\/td><\/tr>
Design<\/td>Thinner, lighter, Dynamic Island instead of Notch<\/td><\/tr>
5G<\/td>Possible via Apple C2 modem<\/td><\/tr>
Release<\/td>Q4 2026, possibly early 2027<\/td><\/tr>
Price<\/td>Significantly more expensive than the current MacBook Pro, estimated to start at \u20ac3,000.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Positioning: Four MacBook lines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the MacBook Ultra, Apple would be offering four MacBook tiers for the first time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model<\/th>Starting price<\/th>Target group<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
MacBook Neo<\/td>699 \u20ac<\/td>Beginners, students<\/td><\/tr>
MacBook Air<\/td>from \u20ac1,199<\/td>everyday life, mobile users<\/td><\/tr>
MacBook Pro<\/td>from \u20ac1,899<\/td>Professionals, creatives<\/td><\/tr>
MacBook Ultra<\/strong><\/td>from ~3,000+ \u20ac<\/strong><\/td>High-end professionals, creatives<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The MacBook Pro will remain available for purchase. The Ultra does not replace it, but complements it \u2013 similar to how the Apple Watch Ultra exists alongside the Series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Display: OLED and touchscreen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First OLED in a MacBook<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The MacBook Ultra is expected to use a tandem OLED display<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current MacBook Pros use Mini-LED (Liquid Retina XDR). Switching to OLED offers better color accuracy, a thinner design, and higher energy efficiency \u2013 at the cost of a higher price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First touchscreen in a Mac<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The MacBook Ultra would be the first Mac with touchscreen support. Apple has insisted for years that touchscreens don't belong on laptops \u2013 this stance has changed. Reports indicate that Apple is working on a reinforced hinge design to minimize screen wobble when typing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The notch disappears: It is replaced by a Dynamic Island<\/strong>, as known from the iPhone. This creates more display area and enables context-sensitive ads directly on the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chip: M6 Pro and M6 Max<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The M6 chip is manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process<\/strong> \u2013 one step more advanced than the 3nm process of the M5. This means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n