With the recent release of the new MacBook Pro models, many tech enthusiasts and professionals are questioning whether to upgrade this year. While the latest lineup boasts impressive M4 chip options, Thunderbolt 5 support, and an optional nano-texture display, Apple’s previous MacBook Pro models with Apple silicon chips still hold their ground in terms of design and performance. As a result, some users may decide to hold off on upgrading, looking ahead to potentially more significant changes in future models.
The Next Big Updates: OLED Displays and Thinner Designs
For those considering waiting, two major upgrades are rumored for the MacBook Pro’s future: the switch to OLED display technology and a significantly thinner design.
OLED Displays Expected by 2026
According to sources like Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and display expert Ross Young, Apple is expected to adopt OLED technology for the MacBook Pro’s 14-inch and 16-inch models by 2026. For now, the MacBook Pro models are anticipated to continue with mini-LED displays through 2025, offering excellent brightness and contrast. However, OLED screens would take these advantages further, delivering enhanced brightness, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency, which could translate into longer battery life.
OLED technology could also enable a thinner design due to its lightweight and more flexible properties—a feature that would complement Apple’s other plans to slim down the MacBook Pro.
A Thinner, Lighter MacBook Pro
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently confirmed that Apple has been working toward a thinner MacBook Pro design over the next few years, aiming to make it one of the lightest in its category. Apple’s long-standing design philosophy has focused on creating thin, portable devices, and an OLED screen combined with a streamlined form factor would reinforce this goal.
The Expected 2025 Refresh
In his recent “Power On” newsletter, Gurman suggested that the 2025 MacBook Pro models will likely receive a smaller performance boost with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips, which are reportedly near completion. But it’s 2026 that is expected to bring a “true overhaul,” featuring both the OLED display and thinner design.
With these changes on the horizon, current MacBook Pro users may find it worthwhile to wait until 2026 for what could be a game-changing upgrade.
