Is a new Macbook ultra on the way? Here’s what Apple’s rumoured top-end laptop could offer

In the run-up to the WWDC 2026 keynote, leaks and reports have suggested that the upcoming device might not be a Pro lineup offering at all. Instead, it could be something entirely new and potentially more exciting — a new product that may carry the “MacBook Ultra” moniker. The Ultra is expected to be positioned above Apple’s current top-tier laptops, while the existing M5 Pro and M5 Max models are likely to remain on sale after their launch.

The MacBook Ultra would become the latest Apple product to carry the “Ultra” branding. Reports and leaks suggest that the new addition will be marketed at a significantly higher price point than the existing MacBook lineup. Here are some of the key features expected from the Ultra model:

OLED Display

Reports based on insights from Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest that Apple is preparing OLED technology for these models, with multiple industry reports supporting the claim. Samsung Display is reportedly manufacturing the display panels for the laptop.

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The new device is expected to use hybrid OLED technology, similar to that seen on Apple’s latest iPad Pro models. This technology combines a glass substrate with thin-film encapsulation, offering improved brightness, contrast, and power efficiency compared to current MacBook Pro models, which rely on LCD panels with Mini-LED backlighting.

Thinner Design

Gurman has also reported that Apple is working to make the OLED MacBook Pro significantly thinner as part of the company’s broader ambition to create “the thinnest and lightest products in their categories across the entire tech industry.” However, how Apple plans to achieve a slimmer design without compromising functionality remains a major question.

Dynamic Island

Apple’s anticipated OLED MacBook Pro could reportedly ditch the current notch in favour of a display cutout similar to the iPhone’s Dynamic Island. Such a move would mirror the design evolution seen on iPhones. Like on the iPhone, the Dynamic Island on the laptop is expected to be interactive and capable of expanding contextually depending on the app or system feature being used.

M6 Processor Architecture

The redesigned models are expected to feature M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, which could adopt a completely new packaging architecture based on TSMC’s 2nm process. This design could allow components such as the CPU, GPU, DRAM, and Neural Engine to be integrated more closely together.

Terms such as “3nm” and “2nm” refer to successive generations of semiconductor manufacturing technology, each defined by distinct design standards and architectures. As these numbers become smaller, they generally indicate more compact transistors, allowing a greater number to fit onto a single chip. This typically results in faster performance and improved power efficiency.

Given the direction of the industry, Apple is also expected to heavily market these processors as being optimised for AI-driven workloads and workflows.

Touchscreen Integration

The new MacBook Pro could become the first Mac to support direct touch input on the display. Apple had previously experimented with touch functionality through the Touch Bar on earlier MacBook Pro models, though it was eventually discontinued.

Rather than positioning the MacBook as a touch-centric device like the iPad, Apple is reportedly aiming to let users transition seamlessly between touch input and traditional trackpad or mouse controls across the system.

This would likely require updates to macOS to make the interface more touch-friendly, with the UI expected to adapt dynamically based on the method of interaction. For example, tapping on menu bar items could bring up larger, touch-optimised controls.