CUPERTINO, Calif., Jan. 31, 2026, 12:45 a.m. PST
- Reports now link macOS Tahoe 26.3 to the launch of the higher-end M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, shifting the timeline into February.
- Apple’s Mac sales dropped roughly 7% year-over-year in the most recent quarter, sharpening attention on the upcoming laptop update.
- Other reports suggest a major MacBook Pro redesign arriving in late 2026, featuring OLED displays and touch capabilities.
Apple (AAPL.O) might hold off on releasing the higher-end MacBook Pro models featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max chips until the next macOS update arrives, Cult of Mac reports. That update, macOS Tahoe 26.3, which is slated for Apple’s Mac lineup, could be delayed until February or even later, the site adds. While Apple launched a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M5 chip back in October, the beefier variants are still missing. 1
This news arrives as Apple aims to maintain focus on its hardware lineup following a record-breaking holiday quarter announced Thursday. “Apple is proud to report a remarkable, record-breaking quarter, with revenue of $143.8 billion,” Tim Cook said in a statement. Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh added the quarter produced nearly $54 billion in operating cash flow and returned nearly $32 billion to shareholders. 2
Apple’s financial statements reveal Mac sales hit $8.386 billion in the quarter ending Dec. 27, slipping from $8.987 billion the previous year. While Macs make up a smaller portion of Apple’s overall revenue, this segment includes the MacBook Pro — and it’s where delays in updates quickly become obvious.
MacRumors, citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, reports new MacBook Pros are set to arrive “in the first half of the year,” possibly coinciding with the macOS Tahoe 26.3 release, slated for early February. An earlier AppleInsider piece noted the M5 Pro and M5 Max models would likely launch with macOS 26.3, which remains in beta. The update is expected to focus on chip improvements rather than a redesign. 3
Last weekend, MacRumors reported on Gurman’s “Power On” newsletter, which outlines plans to refresh the MacBook Pro twice in 2026. The bigger redesign is expected “toward the end of 2026.” While 2027 isn’t off the table, the rumored updates include an OLED touch screen, a slimmer profile, and a smaller notch. 4
Last year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told MacRumors that the upcoming OLED MacBook Pro would adopt “on-cell” touch tech, embedding touch sensors directly into the display instead of layering on a separate touch panel. Kuo said this approach “can enhance both productivity and the overall user experience,” according to the report. 5
Gadget Hacks is pegging 2026 for the OLED MacBook Pro, calling it the long-awaited screen upgrade for Apple’s pro laptop series. They see it as part of a bigger redesign, but specifics are still up in the air and Apple hasn’t said anything. 6
Many high-end Windows laptops from Dell, HP, and Lenovo come equipped with OLED screens, often including touch functionality by default. Apple, however, has stayed loyal to mini-LED technology for its current MacBook Pro, favoring brightness and battery efficiency over OLED’s advantages.
The MacBook Pro release timeline remains uncertain, with component shortages still influencing what Apple can deliver and at what price. “We are currently constrained, and at this point it’s difficult to predict when supply and demand will balance,” Cook noted during an earnings call, according to Macworld. The ongoing squeeze on memory and other parts could also hinder the rollout of OLED screens, which rely on high-yield panels. 7
An OLED MacBook Pro wouldn’t come without compromises. OLED screens tend to be expensive, and there’s ongoing concern about burn-in from static UI elements. That said, laptop manufacturers have been rolling out software solutions to tackle the issue.
Buyers must currently choose between the existing MacBook Pro models and an expected chip update — with a more extensive redesign still on the horizon that might redefine Apple’s premium laptops.
