According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple’s long-awaited touchscreen MacBook will launch with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips instead of the upcoming M6. This means the device will use silicon that’s already available in current MacBook Pro models, rather than introducing a brand-new generation.
| Apple — Company Snapshot | |
|---|---|
| Ticker | AAPL |
| Stock Price | $309.16 (+0.17%) |
| CEO | Tim Cook |
| Headquarters | Cupertino, CA |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Sector | Big Tech |
What’s Actually Being Announced
The device, rumored to be called the “MacBook Ultra,” is set to be a high-end model featuring an OLED touchscreen display. OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) panels produce richer colors and deeper blacks compared to standard LCD screens found in most laptops today, including the current MacBook Air.
One key takeaway from Bloomberg’s report is that this machine won’t wait for Apple’s M6 chip generation. Instead, it’ll come equipped with the M5 Pro and M5 Max — the same chips that power the current 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models released earlier this year.
In simpler terms, Apple is essentially creating a new shell for existing hardware. The focus here is on the touchscreen and OLED display, rather than a major upgrade in processing power.
Why Not Wait for M6?
Apple typically releases new chip generations about once a year. The M5 family debuted in early 2025, so M6 Pro and M6 Max chips are likely still at least a year away from being available in MacBooks. Delaying the touchscreen MacBook for the M6 would push its launch back significantly, and Apple seems to believe the display upgrade is ready for release now.
This approach isn’t unusual for Apple. The company often introduces new designs with existing chips, separating the “new design” narrative from the “new processor” narrative. This allows the hardware team to move forward without waiting on the silicon team’s timeline.
The M7 Wait
Bloomberg suggests that M7 Pro and M7 Max-powered MacBooks are expected to roll out in 2027. So, if you want both the touchscreen feature and the latest chip, you might have to wait about a year after the initial launch — a classic tradeoff for early adopters.
What This Means
For most users, the M5 Pro and M5 Max are still highly capable chips. The M5 Max, for instance, packs up to 14 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores — more than enough for video editing, 3D rendering, and software development without breaking a sweat. The performance gap between M5 and M6 won’t affect most users.
What’s crucial is whether Apple has truly figured out how to implement a touchscreen effectively on macOS. For over a decade, Apple has hesitated to add touch to Macs, citing concerns about the fatigue caused by reaching up to touch a laptop screen (which they previously referred to as “gorilla arm”). If they’ve changed their stance, the software experience will be the real highlight — not just the chip inside.
The OLED display represents a significant upgrade, too. Anyone who’s used an iPhone or iPad Pro and then looked at a laptop screen knows the difference is stark. Bringing that display quality to a MacBook, regardless of the chip, is a worthwhile improvement for creative professionals focused on color accuracy.
Community Reaction
“Releasing it with M5 instead of M6 is a smart move honestly. The display is the product here. M5 Max is still a beast and this avoids delaying it another year.”
“So we’re paying premium MacBook Ultra prices for last year’s chip? Hard pass until the M7 version.”
Community reactions to the announcement are mixed. Some users view the M5 chip choice as a practical decision that allows a truly new product to hit the market sooner. Others feel Apple is holding back the complete package and plan to wait for the M7 refresh.
What To Watch
- Official announcement timing: Bloomberg’s report doesn’t specify a launch date, but Apple usually holds a fall event in September or October. A reveal of the touchscreen MacBook at that event is likely.
- macOS touchscreen support: Keep an eye out for any updates to macOS that might indicate how Apple plans to integrate touch input into the desktop operating system.
- M7 MacBook timeline: Bloomberg estimates M7 Pro and M7 Max MacBooks for 2027, giving early buyers of the M5 version about a one-year window before the next chip leap arrives.
- Pricing: A new form factor with OLED and touch will likely come with a higher price tag compared to the current MacBook Pro line. Watch for any leaks regarding Apple’s pricing strategy.
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
