Apple is set to overhaul its high-end laptop line with the MacBook Ultra, bringing the most significant external changes to the MacBook Pro since 2021. According to reports from Bloomberg and research firm Omdia, the new model will combine an OLED display with a thinner chassis, marking a turning point in MacBook Pro design.
OLED display and reduced thickness: the key combination of the MacBook Ultra
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has described the MacBook Ultra as a “true overhaul” thanks to the integration of a hybrid OLED panel. Replacing the mini-LED backlight with OLED removes a physical layer from the lid, allowing for a reduction in thickness particularly noticeable in the upper half. Every 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro released since 2021 has measured 0.61 inches (15.5 mm) thick. The MacBook Ultra is expected to be noticeably thinner, though no credible figure has been reported. Apple aims to create the thinnest and lightest products in their categories, and this design could extend to the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro expected in 2027.
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Goodbye notch: hole-punch camera with Dynamic Island arrives
One of the most anticipated changes is the replacement of the notch with a pill-shaped hole-punch camera. Omdia first indicated this change in its roadmap, later corroborated by Bloomberg. The pill-shaped cutout will house an interactive Dynamic Island, similar to iPhones. This means the menu bar will no longer be split in two, becoming a continuous strip interrupted only by the small island. Apple has already prepared the software: in macOS 27, the Spotlight “Search or Ask” interface adopts a dark, pill-shaped design compatible with this cutout.
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Larger displays and thinner bezels for a more immersive experience
Omdia claims Samsung Display will supply 14.3-inch and 16.3-inch panels, fractionally larger than the current 14.2-inch and 16.2-inch displays. Within a largely unchanged chassis, this results in narrower borders. Apple is also fitting a reinforced hinge to prevent the display from wobbling when tapped. Whether the lid will tilt further back than the current model, which stops relatively early for structural reasons, remains to be seen.
Familiar elements: keyboard, trackpad, and ports confirmed
Despite the changes, many features will remain the same. Bloomberg reported in February that the MacBook Ultra will look a lot like the current MacBook Pro, retaining the keyboard and trackpad, and will remain a conventional clamshell in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, rather than a detachable or convertible design. HDMI, MagSafe, and the SD card slot, reinstated in 2021 after an unpopular absence, are not expected to be removed. Interestingly, Samsung is also innovating in battery technology for its Galaxy S Ultra, as covered in our article.
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Availability expected between late 2026 and early 2027 due to memory chip shortage
Gurman predicts the MacBook Ultra launch between late 2026 and early 2027. The later window is now considered more likely due to the global memory chip shortage, which is also affecting other manufacturers like Samsung with its foldable devices. For more on AI-driven development, see the article on Vibe Coding. Additional details on the design can be found on Wikipedia's MacBook Pro page.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/27/macbook-ultra-all-new-design
