Apple’s long-awaited leap to OLED displays for the MacBook Pro is coming, but not as soon as some had hoped. According to a new report from Mark Gurman, the first OLED-equipped MacBook Pro models-powered by the next-generation M6 chip-are now expected to debut between late 2026 and early 2027. 
This strategic delay paves the way for an interim release: the M5 MacBook Pro, which could serve as a high-performance yet more affordable stopgap before Apple’s biggest laptop overhaul in years.
The M6 MacBook Pro will mark a significant design and technology shift, with Samsung Display reportedly supplying advanced “tandem” OLED panels produced using the 8.6 generation method. These panels promise richer colors, deeper blacks, slimmer bezels, better HDR performance, and improved battery life. Apple may also ditch the controversial notch, replacing it with a sleeker hole-punch cutout or a refined Dynamic Island, potentially with Face ID integration. The result would be a cleaner look and more usable screen space-an upgrade that could tempt even satisfied M1 and M2 owners.
If Apple mirrors its 2023 release strategy, the M5 MacBook Pro could launch as early as January 2026, followed later in the year by the OLED M6 models. This dual-release approach would echo how Apple rolled out the M2 Pro/Max in January 2023, then the M3 family in October the same year. The M5 lineup would offer fresh performance for those unwilling to wait until 2027, while building anticipation for the OLED refresh.
Beyond its display, the OLED MacBook Pro is expected to align more closely with the iPhone and iPad experience, offering consistent color accuracy and premium visuals across Apple’s ecosystem. For creative professionals, the OLED panels’ superior brightness, color fidelity, and HDR capabilities could make them the ultimate portable production tool.
In short, Apple appears to be positioning the M5 MacBook Pro as a smart mid-cycle option for power users, while keeping the OLED M6 as the headline-grabbing game-changer. Whether this is a deliberate hype-building move or a practical production decision, it’s clear the wait for the OLED MacBook Pro will be worth it.