Apple is prepping a new premium laptop, tentatively called the “MacBook Ultra,” that will sit above the current 14- and 16-inch M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros rather than replace them. Built for the top end of Apple’s laptop lineup, it’s expected to deliver several major design and feature upgrades while retaining those M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in the first generation.
What to Expect
OLED displayis one of the headline upgrades. Apple is reportedly switching from mini-LED to OLED for the Ultra models, with Samsung exclusively supplying the panels made on its new 8.6-generation production line. OLED promises deeper blacks, better HDR performance, and generally more vibrant colors compared to the current technology.
Touchscreen supportwill arguably be the biggest shift. For the first time, a Mac may respond directly to finger taps and gestures on the screen. Earlier touch integration—the Touch Bar—was dropped years ago after a lukewarm response. Rather than pushing a fully touch-first user experience, Apple is reportedly combining touch with its traditional trackpad/mouse input. New features in macOS Golden Gate like pull-to-refresh and direct touch via Sidecar hint at this transition.
Dynamic Island instead of a notchis another major change. The Ultra may lose the current static notch for a Dynamic Island-style cut-out, following the evolution seen on iPhone since 2022. This will allow icons and notifications to use what was previously unused space in the menu bar.
Thinner, lighter frame with a reinforced hingerounds out the hardware upgrades. To make touch feasible, Apple has reportedly built a stiffer hinge assembly to prevent screen wobble. At the same time, the overall chassis is expected to get significantly thinner, aiming to compete with Apple’s slimmest iPads in terms of portability. How it preserves reintroduced ports without bulk is a question.
Price bumpis nearly certain. With Apple’s existing MacBook Pro lineup having recently increased by about $300, launching a higher-end Ultra model means numbers will rise further. The 14-inch M5 Pro starts at $2,499; the 16-inch version at $2,999 after the price increase. The Ultra is expected to cost more than both.
When It Might Land & Chips Inside
The first MacBook Ultra models are likely to retain the existing M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. Apple apparently plans to skip the M6 Pro/Max generation and instead bring M7 Pro/Max chips in 2027.
The release window for the Ultra seems to be between October and December this year, although global supply chain risks—particularly shortages in memory chips—could potentially push this back.
Apple’s new Ultra laptop appears to be an attempt to reshuffle its high-end laptop strategy without pushing existing Pros to the side. It keeps older chips around initially, elevates display, input, and design, and demands a premium price.
The takeaway:A MacBook Ultra with OLED screen, touch input, Dynamic Island, a thinner build, and higher price would mark one of the boldest Mac redesigns in years. If all those reports prove accurate, this machine could reset expectations for what a top-tier MacBook should deliver. Watch carefully for detail leaks, pricing, and how Apple deals with heat, battery, and software tweaks to support touch—those will make or break whether Ultra is truly ultra.
