Apple’s OLED MacBook Pro could be years away, but a cheaper MacBook might land this year

Apple is widely expected to release an updated MacBook Pro model with its M5 chipset later this year or early 2026. However, what I’m waiting for, and I expect many others may share the same anticipation, is Apple’s long-rumored OLED MacBook Pro.

Since the release of the M1-series MacBook Pro in 2021, the design of the MacBook Pro has remained largely unchanged, with Apple updating its chipset periodically. The biggest design change Apple has made to the MacBook Pro in recent years was the addition of a nano-texture display (anti-glare) option, which became available alongside the release of the M4-series update in late 2024.

That said, the OLED MacBook Pro is expected to be the refresh fans have been waiting for, with an OLED panel being the main staple, alongside what is expected to be a more general overhaul of the design. The OLED MacBook Pro was rumored to arrive in 2026, but according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it may not be released until “between the end of 2026 and early 2027.”

While 2026 remains a distinct possibility for the launch date of the OLED MacBook Pro, it appears Gurman believes Apple might have to push it back to early 2027. I have my fingers crossed for 2026, as waiting until 2027 would be a bummer, as I have an M1 Pro MacBook I’m holding out on. If you’re unfamiliar with OLED display technology, some benefits it could offer the MacBook Pro include improved color accuracy, enhanced brightness, and a higher contrast ratio. An OLED display on the MacBook Pro could also be more energy-efficient, further extending its already impressive battery life.

That’s not all for MacBook news either, as Apple is reportedly also working on a more affordable option, which could arrive sooner rather than later.

A new affordable MacBook could launch this year

It could be priced $300 to $400 lower than the MacBook Air

While the OLED MacBook Pro might not launch until 2027, there’s better news about Apple’s rumored new 13-inch MacBook. Earlier this summer, analyst Ming-chi Kuo reported that Apple was developing a new “more affordable MacBook.” Kuo said the laptop could feature Apple’s A18 Pro chip, the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro, instead of an M-series chip like the other MacBooks have.

Kuo initially reported that the MacBook would enter “mass production in late 4Q25 or early 1Q26.” Now, DigiTimes (via MacRumors) reports that the device will have a 12.9-inch display and enter mass production by the end of the third quarter of 2025, not the fourth, suggesting it could be released by the end of the year rather than 2026. A reminder, none of this has been confirmed by Apple, so take it with a pinch of salt.

DigiTimes also indicates that the price could start between $599 and $699, significantly lower than the current 13-inch MacBook Air, which begins at $999. For students or anyone on a tight budget, this new MacBook could be very appealing, especially at such a low price, making it comparable to many decent Windows 11 laptops. Kuo also mentioned it might come in yellow, blue, silver, and pink finishes, potentially offering a colorful contrast to the MacBook Air and helping it stand out.

Personally, I’m in favor of Apple releasing a more affordable MacBook. I love the MacBook Air, but its $1,000 price tag is out of reach for many, and offering a cheaper option could help many overcome that barrier. Apple already provides a range of iPads at different prices, so in my view, this would simply mirror that approach but for MacBooks.