Apple is reportedly testing its long-rumored 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with touch-enabled OLED displays, and the machines are said to be running an internal build of macOS 27.1. That software update is expected to reach the public in late October, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

A possible 2026 launch

Gurman had previously suggested these high-end laptops could arrive as late as early 2027. In his latest report, however, he places them among products expected "later this year," signaling growing confidence that Apple aims to ship them before the end of 2026. The timing lines up with the macOS 27.1 release window, whose first developer beta is expected to appear within days.

The fact that the new hardware is reportedly being validated against a specific software version is often a sign that a product is progressing through late-stage testing, though Apple has not confirmed any of these plans.

What the OLED MacBook Pro may include

According to the report, the redesigned MacBook Pro lineup is expected to bring several notable changes beyond the switch to OLED panels:

  • M5 Pro and M5 Max chips for higher performance
  • A thinner overall design
  • A Dynamic Island cutout in place of the current display notch
  • Touch input on the OLED screens

These would mark some of the most significant physical changes to the MacBook Pro in years, particularly the move to touch and the shift away from the notch that has defined recent models.

Where it fits in Apple's lineup

The first-generation OLED MacBook Pro models are expected to be positioned as distinct, higher-priced options that sit above the standard 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. Those regular models are separately rumored to move to M7 Pro and M7 Max chips next year.

There has been some confusion over branding. Macworld previously reported that the OLED laptops would carry MacBook Ultra branding, but that same report incorrectly named an upcoming iPhone as the iPhone Ultra, so the final naming remains uncertain.

Why it matters

A touch-enabled OLED MacBook Pro would represent a meaningful strategic shift for Apple, which has long resisted adding touchscreens to its laptops while reserving that interaction for the iPad. OLED technology would also promise deeper blacks, higher contrast and better efficiency compared with the current mini-LED displays.

For now, all of these details remain rumors based on Gurman's reporting, and Apple typically does not comment on unreleased products. If the reported timeline holds, buyers could see the first OLED MacBook Pro models arrive alongside or shortly after the macOS 27.1 rollout.