Apple may be preparing to introduce an entirely new tier in its laptop lineup with a device rumored to be called the MacBook Ultra. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a high end MacBook that could sit above the current MacBook Pro lineup and become the company’s most expensive notebook yet.
Rather than replacing existing models, the MacBook Ultra would expand the Mac lineup upward. Apple recently announced MacBook Pro models powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which are set to begin shipping this week. The rumored MacBook Ultra would instead arrive as a new premium option positioned above those machines.
The device is expected to introduce two major changes to the MacBook lineup. Most notably, it could feature the first OLED display ever used on a Mac laptop. Apple has already adopted OLED technology on devices like the iPhone X and the iPad Pro, but MacBooks have so far continued to rely on LCD and mini LED displays.
Touchscreen support is another major upgrade reportedly planned for the MacBook Ultra. Apple has historically resisted adding touchscreens to Mac laptops, arguing that the feature works better on devices like the iPad. If the rumors prove accurate, the MacBook Ultra would mark the first time Apple brings a full touchscreen experience to a MacBook.
Reports indicate the new device could launch toward the end of 2026 with a thinner design and upgraded internals. The machine is expected to run on next generation Apple silicon, potentially using M6 Pro or M6 Max chips depending on the configuration.
The OLED display will likely be a key factor behind the device’s higher price. When Apple first introduced OLED panels on products such as the iPhone X and later the iPad Pro, the company raised starting prices by roughly 20 percent. A similar increase could occur when OLED arrives on the MacBook Ultra.
Because of the cost of OLED technology and additional hardware changes, Apple is expected to position the MacBook Ultra above the existing MacBook Pro lineup rather than replace it. This would allow the company to continue selling M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models while offering an even more premium laptop for professional users.
The MacBook Ultra name itself is not confirmed, but Gurman notes that the branding would clearly signal the device’s place at the top of Apple’s laptop lineup. Apple already uses the Ultra designation for products that represent the most powerful or advanced versions of a device.
Apple is also reportedly working on other ultra premium products. These include a foldable iPhone expected to cost around $2,000 and new AirPods equipped with computer vision cameras designed to support advanced Apple Intelligence features.
(via Bloomberg)
