Apple's First Touchscreen MacBook Pro to Use M5 Pro and M5 Max Chips [Report]

Apple's first touchscreen MacBook Pro models are expected to use the current M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, rather than waiting for next-generation silicon to launch the redesigned computers.



The 14-inch and 16-inch laptops, internally identified as K114 and K116, represent the most significant overhaul of Apple's high-end Mac lineup since the company transitioned away from Intel processors in 2020. Alongside touch capabilities, the machines will introduce OLED displays and a Dynamic Island interface to the Mac for the first time. The hardware will also feature an updated industrial design, marking the first major visual shift for the premium notebooks since 2021. For years, Apple resisted bringing touch input to the Mac, but adding the technology brings the lineup into closer alignment with premium Windows PCs that have offered touchscreens and OLED panels for several product cycles.


According to Bloomberg, the touchscreen devices are targeted to arrive between late this year and early next year. Given the extensive hardware upgrades and Apple's recent ecosystem-wide price increases, the new models are expected to be expensive. Currently, the base 14-inch MacBook Pro sits at $1,999, while the 16-inch configuration begins at $2,999. A fully loaded machine with maximum memory and storage now reaches nearly $10,000, underscoring how high pricing could climb once OLED panels and touch hardware are added.

The decision to use the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips aligns with recent supply chain indications that Apple is skipping the M6 Pro and M6 Max processors entirely. This allows Apple to ship its redesigned notebooks using its current high-end silicon while concentrating future development on the much larger M7 architectural leap. Apple is already conducting advanced testing on follow-up laptops powered by the M7 Pro and M7 Max, which are planned for release as early as the end of 2027.

The M7 Pro, M7 Max, and M7 Ultra chips—part of a family code-named Andros—are being developed to support more demanding artificial intelligence workloads. The chips are expected to feature vastly upgraded neural accelerators, enhanced graphics performance, and expanded memory bandwidth to speed up AI model processing locally on the device. The silicon roadmap also points to a Mac Studio refresh utilizing M7 Max and M7 Ultra processors in 2028.

The touchscreen Macs are expected to be part of a broader wave of Apple hardware launching under incoming CEO John Ternus. The leadership handover is scheduled for September, positioning Ternus at the helm for the introduction of these laptops alongside the company's first foldable iPhone, AI-focused wearable products, and new smart home devices.


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