• 2 min read
Apple may split MacBook Pro upgrades in two
Apple may launch an M6 MacBook Pro and redesigned MacBook Ultra this fall, splitting the lineup between new silicon and OLED touch hardware.
Image: 9to5Mac
Apple is reportedly preparing two very different MacBook Pro-class laptops for this fall: a conventional MacBook Pro with an M6 chip and a redesigned model currently known as the MacBook Ultra.
M6 MacBook Pro keeps the current design
The M6 MacBook Pro is expected to replace last fall’s M5 model without changing its external design. It reportedly will not offer higher-end chip configurations, but the M6 would be Apple’s first Mac processor built using a 2nm process.
That makes the chip the main reason to upgrade. Buyers would otherwise get the existing MacBook Pro formula: a design with multiple ports and long battery life. For users who already like the current model, retaining that hardware could be an advantage rather than a drawback.
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MacBook Ultra adds OLED and touch
The rumored MacBook Ultra targets buyers who want a more dramatic hardware change. It is expected to be thinner and lighter, with an OLED display, touchscreen, Dynamic Island, and possibly cellular connectivity.
Unlike the standard M6 MacBook Pro, the Ultra reportedly will use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. That creates a clear split: the regular Pro may offer the newer processor, while the Ultra would pair older chip technology with a more ambitious design. The touchscreen would also represent a major change from Apple’s current Mac lineup, although our previous reporting said touch support for the MacBook Air was delayed until 2028.
Apple may still market the Ultra under the MacBook Pro name, so its final branding is unresolved. The report also does not provide pricing, a firm release date, or confirmation that the cellular option will ship.
Based on Apple’s launch history, both machines are expected in the fall, potentially in late October. For anyone buying today, the practical alternatives mentioned are Apple’s refurbished models and current retail deals.
The two-model strategy looks meaningful rather than cosmetic: one machine preserves the established Pro design while the other introduces several new display and connectivity features. But until Apple confirms the products and prices, the unresolved cost will determine whether the Ultra is a compelling upgrade or simply a more expensive experiment.
Computing Editor
Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.
via 9to5Mac
