The rumor mill around Apple's next MacBook Pro has a new key detail. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports in his latest Power On newsletter that the new MacBook Pro models with OLED displays will be "significantly lighter" — Apple has reengineered the machine's interior, miniaturizing parts and rearranging components to make the computer "much easier to carry."
This is no minor refresh. The rumored feature list now stands at six major changes: OLED display, touchscreen capabilities, Dynamic Island replacing the notch, M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, a thinner design, and the newly reported significant weight reduction. The touchscreen would be a first for the MacBook, replacing the mini-LED panel used for years.
It bears repeating that Apple has said nothing about this product. Everything comes from Gurman's sourcing: the machines are expected in October or November this year and are currently being tested with macOS 27.2, which is in beta; a macOS release codenamed "Golden Gate" will include changes to support the touchscreen and Dynamic Island interface; and the OLED models will be higher-end, higher-priced machines sitting above the existing MacBook Pro in the lineup.
The current 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at about 3.4 pounds (1.55 kg), while the 16-inch tops out around 4.7 pounds (2.15 kg) — against 3.3 pounds for the 15-inch MacBook Air. For anyone commuting daily with a 16-inch machine, weight is the most immediately felt upgrade. OLED panels are inherently thinner than LCDs, so the display swap helps on its own — the OLED iPad Pro of 2024 came in 22 grams lighter and 0.6 mm thinner than its predecessor. But Gurman stresses this reduction comes mainly from the internal rework, not just a slimmer chassis.
For anyone on the fence, the launch window is close — as early as this month — so buying the current model now risks instant regret. For existing Pro owners, the touchscreen-plus-OLED-plus-lighter combo may be the most tempting MacBook Pro upgrade in years. There is nuance in the chips too: the new machines are expected to use M5 Pro and M5 Max, while a separate entry-level 14-inch model gets the newer M6 — Apple appears to be deliberately stretching the lineup's tiers.
One more piece of context: this would be among the first major hardware releases under John Ternus, who recently took over as Apple's CEO. The hardware-engineer-turned-chief reportedly made rebuilding the design teams — now reporting directly to him — one of his first priorities. Engadget notes that if the reports hold, the touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro could become the signature product of a Ternus era refocused on product design.
Gurman also mentions that the first OLED iPad mini could debut next month alongside the new MacBook Pro. On Apple's usual cadence, October or November should bring answers to the three questions that matter: how many grams lighter, how good the touchscreen feels on macOS, and how much more expensive it is — the answers that will decide whether this is a true generational leap or just a pricier refresh.