Rumours suggest Apple may launch a pricier MacBook Ultra with OLED touchscreen

Apple could be preparing to unveil a dramatically redesigned high-end laptop later this year, with reports suggesting the device may arrive as a new model called the MacBook Ultra rather than replacing the MacBook Pro.

According to recent rumours, the upcoming device may introduce several major hardware changes, including an OLED touchscreen, Face ID support and a thinner chassis. The laptop is also expected to feature an entirely new design, marking the first major visual overhaul since Apple introduced the MacBook Pro models powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips in October 2021.

Despite the extensive upgrades, the new device is not expected to replace the existing MacBook Pro line.

Instead, the redesigned notebook could sit above it in Apple’s product range as a more expensive flagship option.

Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman reported that Apple may choose to market the device under a different name to clearly separate it from the current MacBook Pro models. One possible name being discussed is “MacBook Ultra”.

The name would place the laptop alongside Apple’s existing “Ultra” branding used for high-end processors and products designed to deliver the company’s most powerful performance.

However, the new model could also bring a significant price increase.

Reports suggest Apple may adopt a pricing strategy similar to the one used when the company introduced OLED displays in its iPad Pro lineup. When Apple upgraded the tablet from an LCD screen to OLED technology, the price of the device increased noticeably.

If a similar adjustment happens with the new laptop, prices could rise by around 20 per cent compared with current MacBook Pro models.

Based on those estimates, the starting price for the redesigned 14-inch model could reach roughly $2,639 when equipped with a next-generation Apple M6 Pro chip.

A more powerful configuration using the M5 Max chip could cost as much as $4,319.

The larger 16-inch version could carry even higher prices. Reports suggest the model may start around $3,239, while top configurations could reach approximately $4,679.

These figures remain speculative and should be viewed with caution, as Apple has not confirmed the device or its pricing.

Still, the rumoured features could explain why the company might position the machine as a premium alternative rather than a direct replacement for the MacBook Pro.

One of the most notable changes would be the introduction of an OLED touchscreen. Apple has traditionally avoided touchscreen displays in its Mac laptops, arguing that the feature is better suited to devices such as the iPad.

The addition of OLED technology could bring deeper blacks, improved contrast and more vivid colours compared with the LCD panels currently used in MacBook models.

The design of the laptop may also change.

According to reports, Apple could replace the familiar display notch with a punch-hole camera design. The device is also said to include a Face ID module, allowing users to unlock their laptop and log in to macOS using facial recognition.

Such features would align the MacBook with security technology already found in the iPhone and iPad.

If the rumours prove accurate, the MacBook Ultra could represent one of the most significant changes to Apple’s laptop lineup in years.

However, until Apple officially reveals its plans, the details surrounding the device, including its name, features and price, remain unconfirmed.