Apple unveiled the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, introducing touchscreen support to its Mac laptop range for the first time.
The laptop features a tandem OLED panel with up to 2000 nits of peak HDR and SDR brightness, a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and support for P3 and Adobe RGB colour spaces.
The company has also introduced Dynamic Island to the Mac, providing access to Spotlight, Live Activities and Siri AI.
The MacBook Pro comes with Apple’s M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, up to 128GB of unified memory, storage configurations reaching 16TB and macOS 27 Golden Gate.
The 14-inch version weighs 3 pounds, while the 16-inch version weighs 4 pounds. Both models include Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, a 12MP Center Stage camera and a six-speaker audio system.
Pre-orders opened on October 28, with deliveries and retail availability scheduled to begin on Friday, November 6, 2026.
“The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display is a monumental step forward for the Mac. PROLED XDR is the world’s best laptop display. It pairs state-of-the-art tandem OLED technology with advanced algorithms in our display engine to deliver the kind of visual fidelity pros have been dreaming of. And with the magic of Touch coming to MacBook Pro, combined with the game-changing performance of M5 Pro and M5 Max, we’ve created a whole new way for pros to interact with their content, taking their workflows to a completely new level. The new MacBook Pro is the result of the deep integration between Apple silicon, hardware, and software, and there’s simply nothing else like it,” Johny Srouji, Apple’s chief hardware officer said in a statement.
Apple MacBook Pro introduces tandem OLED PROLED XDR display
The MacBook Pro’s PROLED XDR display uses tandem OLED technology, combining display-layer developments, pixel control algorithms and panel calibration.
Apple says the display is designed to maintain brightness and greyscale uniformity across the screen while reducing reflections within the OLED panel.
The display engine controls the colour and luminance of individual pixels at sub-millisecond intervals. It adjusts output based on content, pixel usage, temperature and environmental conditions. The system also monitors pixel usage over time to maintain image quality.
The panel supports up to 2000 nits of peak brightness for HDR and SDR content. Apple says the combination of the OLED panel, compensation techniques and pixel-level light control produces a contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1.
ProMotion technology adjusts the refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz, depending on the content displayed and power requirements.
For photographers, designers and video editors, the display supports P3 and Adobe RGB colour spaces within a single default preset. It also covers more than 80 per cent of the Rec. 2020 colour space, providing support for HDR video editing and colour grading, including coverage in the green and cyan ranges.
Apple says every panel undergoes factory calibration to align luminance, white point and colour gamut with reference targets. The screen includes an anti-reflective coating, while customers can select a nano-texture glass option to reduce reflections and glare. The nano-texture finish is etched into the cover glass.
Touch comes to MacBook Pro with support for gestures and creative apps
Touchscreen functionality is among the changes introduced with the MacBook Pro. Apple has integrated the touch sensor directly into the display panel rather than placing a separate touch layer above it. The company says this arrangement reduces touch latency.
Users can scroll through webpages, pinch to zoom into photographs, move slides between presentations and arrange application windows through touch gestures. Double-tapping a window can expand it to fill the screen, while a flick gesture can position it within a tiled layout.
The system also allows graphic designers to draw directly on the display, musicians to play software instruments onscreen and developers to test touch interactions in iOS and iPadOS applications. Touch operates alongside the MacBook Pro’s keyboard, trackpad and keyboard shortcuts.
Apple has redesigned the display hinge to provide stability during touchscreen use. A video stabilisation feature also adjusts the camera feed when users touch the screen during video calls. Applications that do not include touch controls can respond to touches through macOS, which translates touch inputs into mouse clicks.
Developers can also use system gesture APIs to create interactions for the touchscreen. Apple says applications including Notion, Canva, Zoom, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook will support Touch.
Creative applications expected to take advantage of the technology include Adobe Lightroom, DaVinci Resolve, Blender, Maxon Cinema 4D, Maxon ZBrush, Shapr3D and Algoriddim djay Pro. The company says the listed application updates will become available later in 2026.
Dynamic Island arrives on Mac with Spotlight, Live Activities and Siri AI
Apple has brought Dynamic Island to the MacBook Pro, extending a feature previously introduced on the iPhone. Dynamic Island serves as an interface for Spotlight, Live Activities and Siri AI, allowing users to access information and interact with system functions.
Users can search for files and information, answer phone calls, control music, monitor activities and respond to AirDrop requests. Live Activities provides updates without requiring users to switch between applications.
Spotlight moves to Dynamic Island only when Siri AI is available and enabled.
MacBook Pro 2026 features thinner design and reduced weight
Apple has reduced the weight and thickness of both MacBook Pro models. The 14-inch MacBook Pro weighs 3 pounds, representing a reduction of half a pound compared with its predecessor.
The 16-inch model weighs 4 pounds, a reduction of 0.7 pounds. The 14-inch version is approximately half a millimetre thinner, while the 16-inch version is nearly one millimetre thinner.
The 14-inch model has a 14.2-inch display, while the 16-inch version features a 16.3-inch display with reduced bezels. Measurements are taken diagonally across a rectangular display area, with the viewable area reduced by the rounded corners.
Apple attributes part of the reduction in thickness to the OLED display stack. The company has also redesigned the thermal system to maintain sustained M5 Pro and M5 Max performance while directing heat away from the display.
Actual device weight may vary depending on configuration and manufacturing.
Apple M5 Pro and M5 Max power MacBook Pro performance and AI workloads
The MacBook Pro is powered by Apple’s M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, which are designed for computing, graphics and artificial intelligence workloads. The chips support CPU and GPU operations, unified memory and machine learning workloads.
Apple positions the M5 Pro for scientists, engineers, software developers and content creators working on projects involving code compilation, DNA sequencing, AI processing and multiple streams of 8K ProRes video.
The M5 Max is intended for workloads involving visual effects, 3D animation, film composition, large language models and 8K video post-production. Apple says M5 Max configurations can run large language models containing hundreds of billions of parameters on the device.
Both processors integrate a Neural Accelerator into each GPU core to accelerate AI processing, including coding agents running local language models. The GPUs also feature shader cores, a third-generation ray-tracing engine and Dynamic Caching technology.
These technologies support tasks such as scene rendering in Maxon Cinema 4D using Redshift, lighting simulation, 3D modelling and animation.
Apple says Dynamic Caching improves GPU utilisation by managing on-chip memory allocation for applications including Blender and Unreal Engine, as well as games. The MacBook Pro can be configured with up to 128GB of unified memory and 16TB of storage.
MacBook Pro gets six-speaker audio system and 12MP Center Stage camera
Apple has updated the MacBook Pro’s six-speaker audio system with a woofer design that the company says provides 50 per cent deeper bass. The system also includes tweeters designed to control sound dispersion.
It supports Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for music and video playback. The laptop includes studio-quality microphones for video calls, recordings and voice commands.
Apple has introduced audio tuning for use when the laptop lid is closed and the MacBook Pro is connected to an external monitor. A 12MP Center Stage camera provides video calling functionality, with stabilisation designed to compensate for movement when users interact with the touchscreen.
Apple brings display calibration, DICOM reference modes and genlock to MacBook Pro
The PROLED XDR display includes support for the Apple Pro Display Calibrator, allowing users to calibrate the screen to specified targets. Apple has included reference modes for cinema, photography, printing, design and other workflows involving colour accuracy.
The laptop also introduces DICOM medical imaging reference modes, providing greyscale and contrast settings for reviewing medical images. Apple says these modes are intended for non-diagnostic review, research and education, rather than clinical diagnosis.
The Apple Color Matching Function 2026 is designed to maintain consistency between the MacBook Pro display, iPhone 18 Pro and Studio Display XDR. The laptop also supports genlock, which synchronises display refresh rates with camera capture timing.
The technology helps reduce ghosting, tearing and related visual artefacts in virtual production and filming workflows. Genlock requires compatible third-party hardware and software.
Apple Creator Studio adds touchscreen support to Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro and Pixelmator Pro
Apple has announced Touch support across applications available through Apple Creator Studio. In Pixelmator Pro, users can draw, paint, select and manipulate content directly on the MacBook Pro display.
Logic Pro introduces a Multi-Touch polyphonic keyboard, allowing musicians to play software instruments and use chord and drum pads on the screen.
Final Cut Pro allows video editors to mark ranges, position clips and zoom into edits through touch gestures. These interactions work alongside the keyboard and trackpad.
Apple Creator Studio updates will be released through the App Store in November 2026 at no charge for existing subscribers.
MacBook Pro includes Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7 and support for four external displays
The MacBook Pro provides three Thunderbolt 5 ports, an HDMI connection, an SDXC card slot, MagSafe charging and a headphone jack. The M5 Pro version supports up to three external displays, while the M5 Max version supports up to four.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Touch ID is available for authentication and login.
The laptop supports charging to 50 per cent capacity in approximately 30 minutes using a compatible charging configuration. Apple claims battery life of up to 24 hours, depending on usage and configuration.
The battery figures are based on testing conducted by Apple in September 2026. Actual battery life varies according to workload, device configuration and usage conditions.
macOS 27 Golden Gate brings Siri AI, Apple Intelligence and Touch support
The MacBook Pro ships with macOS 27 Golden Gate, which includes system support for Touch and Apple’s AI features. Siri AI provides conversational assistance and can use personal context to locate information across messages, emails, photographs and other applications.
Apple says Siri AI can answer questions, carry out tasks across applications and assist users with writing and editing text. It is integrated into Spotlight and system context menus.
A keyboard shortcut also allows users to access Visual Intelligence to ask questions about information shown on the display. The operating system includes Apple Intelligence capabilities across applications.
In Safari, AI tools can organise tabs by subject, notify users of website changes such as stock availability or price reductions, and create browser extensions from text descriptions.
Users can generate automations in Shortcuts by describing the actions they want performed. The Photos app also includes AI-powered editing features.
macOS 27 introduces changes to system performance and search, alongside refinements to the Liquid Glass interface. A slider in Settings allows users to adjust the appearance of Liquid Glass between ultraclear and fully tinted.
Apple has also updated the presentation of application icons. Siri AI is available in beta with macOS 27.2 and requires a device supporting Apple Intelligence.
At launch, Siri AI supports English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, although availability varies by region. Apple Intelligence has broader language support, including simplified and traditional Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and Vietnamese.
Some devices and features are unavailable in certain countries or languages. Siri AI remains unavailable in the European Union on iOS, iPadOS and watchOS, while Apple says it is working with EU authorities on availability.
The service is not available to users under 13.
Apple says some features that rely on server-side AI models are subject to daily usage limits. These include Siri AI, image editing tools, Image Playground and AFM 3 Cloud models used through Shortcuts.
Usage allowances can vary based on the feature, complexity of the request, demand and system policies. Apple intends to offer expanded access to some of these services for a fee. The features are subject to Apple Intelligence terms and conditions.
Apple MacBook Pro uses recycled materials and renewable electricity
Apple says the MacBook Pro contains 55 per cent recycled content by mass, excluding packaging and in-box accessories. The enclosure uses 100 per cent recycled aluminium, while the battery contains 100 per cent recycled cobalt.
The company has also introduced 100 per cent recycled tantalum in multiple capacitors. Apple says 45 per cent of the electricity used in manufacturing across the supply chain comes from renewable sources, including solar and wind.
The laptop is designed to meet Apple’s standards for energy efficiency, chemical safety, durability and repairability. Retail packaging is made entirely from fibre-based materials and is intended for recycling.
Apple calculates packaging content by weight, excluding adhesives, inks and coatings from its plastic-content and packaging-weight calculations.
Recycled and renewable plastic content calculations include mass balance allocation.
The MacBook Pro forms part of Apple’s stated target to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations and product footprint by 2030.
Apple MacBook Pro 2026 price and availability
Apple opened pre-orders for the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display on 28 October 2026 through its website and the Apple Store app in 30 countries and regions, including the United States.
The laptops will begin reaching customers and become available at Apple Store locations and authorised resellers on Friday, 6 November.
US pricing, including education discounts, is as follows:
| MacBook Pro configuration | Starting price | Education price |
|---|---|---|
| 14-inch M5 Pro | $2,899 | $2,749 |
| 16-inch M5 Pro | $3,399 | $3,199 |
| 14-inch M5 Max | $4,499 | $4,199 |
| 16-inch M5 Max | $4,799 | $4,499 |
Customers can select additional memory, storage and other configure-to-order options through Apple’s MacBook Pro website. Apple has also listed prices for charging and travel accessories.
The 70W Power Adapter costs $59, the 96W Power Adapter costs $79 and the 140W Power Adapter costs $99 in the US. The World Travel Adapter Kit is priced at $39.
Apple Creator Studio subscription pricing and trial offers
Apple Creator Studio costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year for subscribers in the US. Students and educators who meet Apple’s verification requirements can subscribe for $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year.
Education subscription pricing applies to eligible college students and educators and does not extend to members of a Family Sharing group.
Apple says the education offer is available to new subscribers for a limited period and may end without notice. New subscribers can receive a one-month trial of Apple Creator Studio.
Customers purchasing a qualifying Mac or iPad can receive three months of the service without charge. Eligible iPads must contain at least 6GB of memory and an A16, A17 Pro, A20 Pro or M-series processor, or a subsequent supported chip.
Devices must be purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorised Reseller. The three-month trial applies to new and qualifying returning subscribers and is restricted to one offer per Apple Account and one per Family Sharing group.
Customers are ineligible if they or a member of their Family Sharing group have previously redeemed a three-month Apple Creator Studio subscription offer.
The offer remains available for the later of three months following activation of the qualifying device or three months after the subscription first becomes available.
Subscriptions renew at the applicable monthly or annual price until cancelled, and other restrictions apply.
Apple Upgrade offers MacBook Pro leasing from $55.99 per month
Apple is offering the MacBook Pro through its Apple Upgrade leasing programme in the United States. The company advertises monthly payments starting at $55.99 for a 36-month lease, excluding taxes and any trade-in credit.
For a MacBook Pro with a retail price of $2,899, Apple provides an illustrative 36-month lease payment of $55.99 per month. The corresponding illustrative payment for a 24-month lease is $78.99 per month.
The programme is provided by Klarna and is structured as a consumer lease rather than a purchase or loan. Customers do not need to pay a security deposit, and a qualifying trade-in may reduce monthly payments.
The first payment is generally due approximately 30 days after the device ships or becomes available for collection. Leasing is restricted to US residents, excluding US territories, and devices can only be delivered to qualifying US addresses or collected from eligible US Apple Stores.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, or the age required by their state, and must have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
They must also hold an Apple Account in good standing, a Klarna account and an accepted credit or debit card, and be able to receive verification codes by text message.
Approval is based on eligibility and creditworthiness, with final approval determined at checkout. Apple Upgrade is not available for refurbished devices and accessories or through certain purchasing programmes, including employee, corporate, government, education and military stores.
Customers may be able to upgrade by returning their device and entering into another lease, subject to eligibility and credit approval.
Upgrades are not guaranteed, and payments under a replacement lease may increase. Customers terminating a lease before the end of its term may face charges of up to the remaining lease payment balance.
Returned devices must meet condition requirements, with fees possible for damage, loss or failure to return the device. If the customer does not upgrade, terminate the lease or purchase the laptop at the end of the initial period, the agreement may move to a month-to-month arrangement for up to six months.
Monthly payments may rise during this extension. If no action is taken when the extension ends, the customer will be charged the amount required to exercise the purchase option.
Customers do not own their leased MacBook Pro unless they complete the purchase option under the agreement. Insurance is not included.
Apple Trade In, Apple Card and AppleCare options
Apple is also allowing customers to trade in their existing computers for credit towards a MacBook Pro purchase. Students and educators can access education pricing throughout the year through the Apple Education Store and eligible retail locations.
In the US, customers using Apple Card may qualify for Apple Card Monthly Instalments with 0 per cent APR on eligible purchases, subject to credit approval and available credit.
Customers selecting this payment method can receive 3 per cent Daily Cash upfront on qualifying Apple purchases. Apple Card is available only to qualifying US applicants and is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch.
AppleCare+ and, in supported markets, AppleCare One are available for customers seeking additional device coverage. The plans include protection against accidental damage such as drops and spills, battery replacement service and priority access to Apple support.
Customers purchasing from Apple also receive access to Personal Setup sessions, during which Apple Specialists can assist with device setup and features.
Today at Apple sessions are available through participating Apple Store locations to help customers learn how to use their devices. Apple has not specified pricing or availability for every market in the announcement, with the listed MacBook Pro prices applying to the United States.
The company has published technical configurations, purchasing information, accessories, support details and programme terms through its website.
