OLED Display Coming to M6 Pro/Max MacBook Pro, Not Base M6 Model

[MacRumors]

Apple will initially reserve its MacBook Pro OLED display upgrade to the high-end 14-inch and 16-inch models with M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, while the base 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro will continue to feature a mini-LED based screen, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple is working on a "revamped M6 Pro and M6 Max MacBook Pro with an OLED display, thinner chassis and touch support," but he made no mention of the lower-priced 14-inch MacBook Pro with base M6 chip that Apple will presumably launch next year or in early 2027.

In Apple's three-pronged MacBook Pro lineup, the lower-priced model uses the standard M-series chip, while the other two use the Pro and Max variants. The base chip has fewer CPU/GPU cores, lower memory bandwidth, smaller maximum unified memory, and reduced external display support, whereas the Pro and Max versions scale up core counts, throughput, and RAM ceilings, making them better for resource-heavy creative workloads like video and 3D.

• M6 MacBook Pro: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Apple's decision to reserve OLED for its higher-end MacBook Pro models makes sense given the hardware differentiation, but there's still a good chance that the lower-priced model will eventually get OLED at a later date, since Apple is also expected to bring the technology to the MacBook Air – but that model isn't expected to see a launch until 2028 at the earliest.

Gurman has said the redesigned OLED machines will have touch screen support and are being readied for late 2026 or early 2027.

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Article Link: OLED Display Coming to M6 Pro/Max MacBook Pro, Not Base M6 Model

 

[MacUserFella]

I suspected something like this

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

I’m still impressed by MiniLED technology and don't see why anyone would switch to OLED, especially for outdoor work. OLED screens struggle in direct sunlight and are not ideal for such conditions. Additionally, considering a well-established panel alongside new production lines in India, what could possibly go wrong?

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

Let me translate - Apple needs more money from you. And also liquid glass will be gorgeous on OLED like never before

 

[tomtad]

That mock up needs more bezel!

 

[Onimusha370]

This is a good move provided they can shave $100/$200 off the low end MBP, and keep the OLED Pro/Max models at the current prices.

 

[woolypants]

I've gotta say that Apple's screens are already exceptional.

As for HDR, aside from viewing photos and videos from an iPhone, I've never get a chance to use it. It's not like it's been embraced by streamers, for example. You have to go out of your way to find examples of HDR content.

 

[zombierunner]

OLED is for professionals only.

 

[Ferrandix]

No need for OLED unless they price MBP equally from actual model

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

This is a good move provided they can shave $100/$200 off the low end MBP, and keep the OLED Pro/Max models at the current prices.

Are you dreaming . They WILL increase the price by 10% at least

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

That's the one I was waiting for , but seeing as I definitely don't need m6 pro power , I'm considering getting a base m5 now....

my biggest issue with current pro is how high and sharp they are . The edges dig into my wrist

 

[iBluetooth]

Makes sense as those panel must cost a lot more to put them on the higher end products.

 

[Asthmatic Kitty]

Bit of a shame but not unexpected — the component prices for the OLED panels are probably higher than the mini-LED ones, so I'd rather the base MBP retains its price point with the older panel than goes higher with the OLED one.

Does mean more bifurcation of the laptop lineup, though, especially with the rumoured low-cost MacBook coming as well. More tough decisions and compromises for consumers, rather than a nice simple decision.

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

No touch screen support for the normal consumer. That’s an interesting take? Maybe the base MacBook Pro should be renamed to Macbook Air Max also with a lighter chassis?

 

[User.node]

They might as well not upgrade the MacBook Pros until this tbh. Getting M5 pro/max when there’s this big update coming is not a wise move. Like the saying goes, if you need the gear now, get it because you’ll be waiting forever for the next “best” thing.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

No touch screen support for the normal consumer. That’s an interesting take?

They’re probably just testing the waters for now. The Air and entry level MBP are apparently their two best selling notebooks, so they’d be silly to mess with the formula until touchscreens are proven to be lucrative.

 

[kiranmk2]

This is a good move provided they can shave $100/$200 off the low end MBP, and keep the OLED Pro/Max models at the current prices.

Surely more likely for the M6 MBP to retain the same price and the M6 Pro/Max MBPs to increase by $200-250?

 

[navaira]

This is a good move provided they can shave $100/$200 off the low end MBP, and keep the OLED Pro/Max models at the current prices.

Oh, sweet summer child. ♥️ I’m sure this will happen.

 

[zaidbaby]

I really don't see how a touch MacBook would be useful or change the way we use MBP's. For an iPad or detachable keyboard, it makes sense, but a full-blown computer with a touch screen is not making sense to me right now. I hope they give a display option to select non-touch.

 

[OliOliOliOli]

Need the power of a MBP inside the size of an Air… I just changed my MBP 2017 for a MBP M4 Pro still heavy machine and the screen is nice of course dont have the perfect deep black of Oled but my upgrad is already quiet amazing…
My next change will be when we can dive with one of them for more then 30 min…

 

[Onimusha370]

Oh, sweet summer child. ♥️ I’m sure this will happen.

Question is, are tandem OLED screens in late 2026 more expensive than the mini-LED screens were in late 2021? I’m not convinced…

 

[robd003]

I prefer the mini-LED display for coding.

It would be great if OLED was an upgrade option rather than forced on everyone.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

You should be able to spec the base model with a OLED panel

I did that with a Dell XPS

 

[Mc0]

I prefer the mini-LED display for coding.

It would be great if OLED was an upgrade option rather than forced on everyone.

Agreed. They should offer it as an optional upgrade rather than making it the default setup. Both for cost and longevity reasons, in my opinion.

 

[hoodlum90]

I really don't see how a touch MacBook would be useful or change the way we use MBP's. For an iPad or detachable keyboard, it makes sense, but a full-blown computer with a touch screen is not making sense to me right now. I hope they give a display option to select non-touch.

It looks like the base M6 MBP will be the last MBP without a touchscreen. I was waiting for the new design with OLED but will wait to see some reviews of the screen to see if there are any negatives to the Touch panel. I still haven't decided if my next MBP will have the glossy or nano-texture, as there are both positive and negative to the nano-texture.

The new PRO/MAX design will also likely have upgraded ports and possibly other improvement, or downgrades from the existing design. I wish the touch panel was an add-on option, similar to how the Nano-texture is a option. But it looks like the touch panel is being baked in to all of these OLED panels for the MPB.