Apple insider walks back OLED MacBook Pro redesign claims — new touchscreen laptop promised to be 'lighter,' not thinner

Apple is set to unveil a redesigned MacBook Pro later this month, but the laptop's key features will focus on the display rather than any significant changes to its form factor. The MacBook Ultra is rumored to feature an OLED screen with touchscreen capabilities, a change that has been suggested in various leaks and rumors. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a known Apple insider, has previously reported that the OLED MacBook would be thinner and lighter, but he has recently walked back some of these claims.

In response to questions about the design, Gurman confirmed that the new MacBook would be lighter than the current model, which weighs 4.7 lbs, but it's uncertain if it will be lighter than the upcoming Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra. He also stated that the new MacBook would likely not be significantly thinner. The OLED panel, more compact than the current miniLED LCD display, could provide a slight reduction in size, but a Dynamic Island similar to Apple's iPhones might also be introduced.

Apple has not yet announced upgraded M6 chips, so the base M5 Pro or Max could power the first iteration of the OLED MacBook Pro. The device may not carry the MacBook Ultra name, as it has been previously rumored. While Apple typically launches new MacBooks in late October or early November, rumors suggest that the OLED MacBook could debut as early as late 2025 or early 2026.

The OLED MacBook Pro could cost up to 20% more due to the OLED touchscreen, resulting in a starting price of $2,499 for the 14-inch model and $2,999 for the 16-inch version, with fully kitted-out configurations potentially reaching $4,000 and above.