As a Mac fan, going through the entire butterfly keyboard saga was not easy, and I will be the first to admit that I have enjoyed the relative calmness of the M-series MacBook Pros.
Yes, every new iterative update has not vowed me, but the performance and reliability have been a godsend. But after five years of using the same M1 Pro MacBook Pro I purchased on launch day, I am ready to upgrade to a new machine.
And if current leaks and rumors hold true, the end of this year could be the ideal time to upgrade to a new MacBook Pro. Apple is rumored to launch a completely redesigned MacBook Pro later in 2026, and the list of changes is long enough to make any Mac fan sit up and pay attention.
A brand new design after five years
The last time Apple redesigned the MacBook Pro was in 2021, and that redesign was a big deal. It brought back ports that Apple had stubbornly removed, finally fixed the keyboard, and gave us a thicker, more capable machine.
While I enjoy the new design language, I won’t deny that I miss the thinner, more portable form factor, which is now possible thanks to the power-efficient M series chipsets.
Leaks suggest that the next update will be a “total redesign” with a thinner and lighter chassis. I am hoping that Apple will keep all the ports, as it wouldn’t want another controversy on its hands, but personally, I wouldn’t mind if the HDMI port is axed.
Most new monitors ship with a USB-C port, and if killing the HDMI port can result in a thinner body, I would take that trade any day.
The display is getting multiple upgrades
This is where things get really interesting. The M6 MacBook Pro is expected to bring two major display upgrades at once: an OLED panel and a touchscreen.
OLED means deeper blacks, better contrast, and improved viewing angles. Combined with a thinner chassis, it should make for a stunning screen. And if Apple uses the same tandem OLED technology found in the iPad Pro, the brightness will be exceptional too.
The touchscreen is the more surprising addition, and I am not sure if this will make it. macOS 27 will reportedly upgrade the UI to support common touch gestures, so we will have confirmation in a month at the WWDC 2026 event.
What I am more excited about is that the notch is finally going away. According to Mark Gurman, you get a hole-punch camera cutout and the Dynamic Island, which should bring Live Activities and other interactive elements.
If you read my best Mac utilities article, you know that I already use an app to enhance the notch, but it will be great to see official support.
A performance boost worth talking about
The M6 MacBook Pro will be powered by a new generation of Apple Silicon built on a 2nm process. That is a notable leap from the current generation and should translate to meaningful gains in CPU speed, GPU performance, and AI processing.
What I am more excited about, even more than the increased performance gains, is the slim chance that the M6 MacBook Pro could include Apple’s C2 modem for built-in cellular connectivity. My work involves a lot of travel, and I would love to have onboard cellular connectivity.
I would not count on it, but it would be a game-changer if it happens.
The one thing that might curb my enthusiasm
Now, we come to the part that I am not looking forward to. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the M6 MacBook Pros may see a minimum 20% price increase. Other sources suggests the new models could rise by $200 to $400.
Seeing all the upgrades and the state of RAM prices thanks to AI, I can see the price hike taking effect, and I will not be happy about it.
I might still pull the trigger and buy one, but against all odds, I am hoping Apple won’t increase the base price, or even if it does, the base model starts with higher storage and RAM than the current generation models.
