Apple’s First Touch Panel MacBook Pro Could Arrive in 2026

Big news out of the Apple rumor mill: TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is working on its first-ever MacBook Pro with a touch panel, and it could be just two years away.

If true, this would mark the first time a MacBook has shipped with touch support — something Apple has resisted for years, despite requests from power users and comparisons to Windows laptops.

What We Know About the Touch MacBook Pro

According to Kuo, Apple plans to debut the touch panel on the OLED MacBook Pro slated for mass production in late 2026.

• The panel will reportedly use on-cell touch technology, a method that integrates the touch sensor directly into the display, keeping things thin and responsive.

• This timeline lines up with earlier leaks pointing to a major MacBook Pro redesign with an OLED display and Apple’s M6 chip, expected between late 2026 and early 2027.

• Samsung Display is said to begin producing the OLED panels in mid-2026, which matches Kuo’s predicted schedule.

A Step Before the Big Redesign

Before that groundbreaking OLED model arrives, Apple is expected to launch a spec-bumped MacBook Pro with the M5 chip in early 2026. This version will likely stick with the current design, serving as a bridge model until the full redesign later in the year.

So, if you’re in the market for a MacBook upgrade in 2026, you’ll have two choices:

• Early 2026: Familiar design + new M5 chip.

• Late 2026 / Early 2027: Brand-new OLED MacBook Pro with touch panel + M6 power.

What About the Affordable MacBook?

Kuo also added some clarity on Apple’s upcoming budget-friendly MacBook:

• The first generation (expected in late 2025) won’t have a touch panel.

• It’s rumored to be powered by an iPhone-class chip and priced around $599, making it Apple’s most affordable laptop in years.

• A second-gen model could arrive in 2027, and touch support is “still under discussion.”

If the reports are true, the first affordable MacBook could feature a 12.9-inch display, making it an interesting option for students and casual users who don’t need Pro-level power.

The Big Picture

Apple has long insisted that touch belongs on iPads, not Macs. But with changing user behavior, competitive pressure, and advancements in display tech, it seems the company is finally ready to blur that line.

The upcoming OLED MacBook Pro with touch panel could be Apple’s biggest laptop redesign in years — and a true shift in how we use Macs.

Until then, we’ll keep an eye on Apple’s roadmap:

• 2025: Affordable MacBook (no touch).

• Early 2026: M5 MacBook Pro (same design).

• Late 2026 / Early 2027: OLED MacBook Pro with touch + M6 chip.