Apple is reportedly preparing to make one of the most significant changes ever to its MacBook lineup: the introduction of touchscreens. According to trusted industry analysts, the long-rumored OLED MacBook Pro could arrive with on-cell touch technology, with mass production expected toward the end of 2026. This would mark the first time Apple has equipped its laptops with touch panels, a feature it has long resisted despite growing demand.
The move appears to be influenced by years of observing iPad user behavior, where touch input has proven to enhance productivity and convenience in certain workflows. While the premium MacBook Pro is the primary candidate for touch integration, Apple’s rumored low-cost MacBook powered by A-series chips is not expected to receive touchscreen support in its first generation. A touchscreen option may come in later iterations, potentially by 2027, but that remains uncertain.
Apple’s roadmap suggests a busy few years for MacBook Pro development. Reports indicate that models powered by M5 chips could arrive in early 2026, followed later that same year by an OLED-equipped M6 generation featuring touchscreen capability. If true, it would not be the first time Apple refreshed the same product line twice in a single year, as seen in 2023 with the M2 Pro/Max models in January followed by M3 variants in October.
Alongside touchscreen support, the OLED MacBook Pro is also expected to feature a thinner chassis and a reduced notch, further modernizing its design. Analysts believe this move would also allow Apple to better compete with Windows laptops like the Asus ProArt P16 and Acer Swift 14 AI, which already offer touchscreen functionality.
While Apple has not confirmed any of these plans, the possibility of combining OLED panels with touch support could make the MacBook Pro lineup more appealing than ever. For users who value traditional input, Apple is likely to continue offering non-touch versions as well, potentially at lower prices. Still, the idea of finally having touchscreen support on a MacBook Pro suggests Apple is ready to rethink one of its longest-standing design principles.
