Apple's First Touch-Screen MacBook Pro With Dynamic Island and OLED Set for Late 2026 [Report]

Apple's push into touch-screen laptops will include major changes to the Mac interface, including the addition of the Dynamic Island, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The major redesign is slated for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models expected to launch later this year.



The upcoming laptops, identified internally as K114 and K116, will be the first Macs to feature OLED display technology — the same screen technology used on the iPhone. Alongside the improved display, Apple is bringing the Dynamic Island to the top center of the screen. The feature houses the camera and displays alerts, media controls, and other live activities. It was first introduced on the iPhone in 2022. Unlike the pill-shaped cutout used on current iPhones, the Mac version will be built around a smaller hole-punch cutout for the webcam. This aligns with recent rumors suggesting the company also plans to introduce a smaller Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro.


While Apple is preparing to announce several product updates during a media event in early March, the touch-screen MacBook Pros will not be part of that presentation. Instead, they are targeted for release closer to the end of 2026, backing up earlier leaked roadmaps detailing the late-year hardware refresh. Supply chain partners are already preparing for the shift, with Samsung Display reportedly ramping up mass production of the necessary OLED panels.

Apple isn't positioning the MacBook Pro as an iPad replacement or describing it as a touch-first device. Users will still get a full physical keyboard and a large trackpad. The key change will be how macOS adapts to the new input methods. According to Bloomberg, the interface will shift depending on whether a user clicks or taps. Touching a button will trigger a contextual menu that appears around the contact point, presenting relevant options optimized for touch commands. The software will also surface the most appropriate set of controls based on a user's prior interaction. Tapping an item in the macOS menu bar will temporarily enlarge controls so they are easier to press.

Other elements, including the emoji picker during text input, will receive touch-optimized layouts. There will be no emphasis on touch-based typing as on the iPad. The display will support familiar gestures from iOS and iPadOS, including fast scrolling and pinch-to-zoom for images and PDFs.

The groundwork for this transition was laid last year. The Liquid Glass design language introduced in macOS Tahoe added more padding around icons, notifications, and Control Center sliders to prepare the operating system for touch input. Bloomberg previously reported on Apple's touch-screen Mac redesign plans in 2023.


The move marks a significant shift for the company. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs previously dismissed the concept of touch-screen laptops as ergonomically flawed, a stance company executives maintained for years. With touch now standard on many Windows laptops and Apple continuing to unify its app ecosystem across platforms, the company is preparing to adopt the form factor for its premium Mac lineup.

Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on X, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more Mac updates.