It seems Apple has big plans for the MacBook Pro series in 2026. One of the rumors is that the MacBook Pro will feature cellular connectivity, but the more interesting feature to the audience is that the 2026 MacBook Pro could sport an OLED display by replacing the mini-LED.
Another interesting part of the plan is that Apple may ditch the MacBook Pro’s notch cutout for a camera hole.
Apple added a notch to the MacBook Pro’s display in 2021. The notch takes the MacBook Pro’s display closer to the edges, and the black pill-shaped cutout is used for the webcam.
The Apple Display Adoption Roadmap
All the above information comes from leaker Jukanlosreve on X, who claims to have gotten the details from industry analyst Omdia. Jukanlosreve posted a product roadmap on his X account, predicting changes to iPads and Macs in the coming years.
For the MacBook Pro, the roadmap shows Apple’s plans to launch 14.3-inch and 16.3-inch MacBook Pro models with OLED displays with rounded corners and a circular hole-punch-style silhouette. As a result, the usable screen size will increase, and there will be no notch to cut off the menu bar in macOS.
It could be a Tandem OLED display similar to the current iPad Pro. Here, tandem refers to having two OLED panels layers on each other resulting in (compared to current Mac Pro models:
- A thinner design
- Improved color clarity
- Better brightness
- Higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks
- Improved power efficiency
- Longer battery life
The roadmap also suggests that the iPad mini could also feature OLED displays by late 2026, while you can expect the switch in iPad Air not before 2027. The MacBook Air may also switch to OLED in 2028, but it will still feature the notch. Check out Apple product launches in 2025.
Is it worth ditching the notch in Macs?
The notch in Apple devices houses components like the camera, microphones, and ambient light sensor while maximizing the screen area. On iOS devices, the notch also houses the Face ID sensors for a fast and secure way to unlock your phone. However, in MacBooks, it actually may not be good for a power user experience. For example, you may lose the mouse cursor behind the notch, and if you use menu bar apps, they may hide behind it.
Here is what I think about Apple’s possible idea to ditch the notch on MacBook Pro models in 2026: Maybe Apple plans to have under-display cameras or hidden sensors beneath the display, which means no notch and a cutout is required anymore. Another reason could be that Apple is influenced by competitors launching notch-free designs with punch-hole cameras.
Whatever the reason, it looks like eliminating the notch will have no unpleasant effect. Instead, it is going to be good for a visual experience and display performance.
What else is there?
Apple doesn’t seem to redesign or bring major upgrades to its devices. According to Omdia, OLED displays will be exclusive to the MacBook Pro for two years, as the MacBook Air will not launch before 2028. The roadmap also outlines Apple’s plans for foldable OLED devices slated for 2028 or later.
