Apple is reportedly preparing a major shakeup to its MacBook lineup later this year. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company plans to introduce a new premium tier that could carry the "Ultra" moniker, featuring a touchscreen OLED display and the upcoming M6-series chip.
The new MacBook Ultra would sit above the recently launched M5 Pro and M5 Max models, creating a three-tier structure at the high end. This marks a significant departure from Apple's traditional two-tier Pro approach. Gurman notes that while the final branding remains uncertain, the positioning is clear: this will be Apple's most expensive and capable laptop yet.
The touchscreen OLED MacBook represents a fundamental shift for Apple. The company has resisted adding touch capabilities to its laptops for years, preferring to keep iPad and Mac as distinct product categories. However, market pressure and user demand appear to have changed that stance. The OLED panel should deliver deeper blacks, better contrast, and improved power efficiency compared to current mini-LED displays.
Pricing will reflect this premium positioning. Gurman suggests the new models could cost up to 20% more than existing Pro configurations. For context, current 16-inch MacBook Pro models start around $2,499, meaning an Ultra variant might begin near $3,000 or higher depending on configuration.
This tiered strategy extends across Apple's entire laptop range. The company recently introduced the MacBook Neo at $599, targeting budget-conscious users and students. Now Apple appears ready to push upward as well, offering options from entry-level to ultra-premium within the same product family.
The timing aligns with typical Apple release cycles. Q4 2026 would place these new models roughly a year after the M5 generation, following Apple's established pattern of annual silicon updates. The M6 chip should deliver meaningful performance gains over its predecessor, though specific technical details remain under wraps.
Whether Apple ultimately calls it "MacBook Ultra" or sticks with an expanded "Pro" naming scheme, one thing seems certain: touchscreen MacBooks are finally arriving, and they won't come cheap.
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