Apple refreshed the MacBook Pro yet again last week, this time adding new M5 Pro and M5 Max chipset options following the debut of the M5 last year. But once again, while the chips inside the MacBook Pro have been updated, the design hasn’t changed. Since Apple introduced the M1 Pro MacBook Pro in 2021, the company has stuck with the same design, simply refreshing the chipset each year.

For a while now, rumors have suggested that Apple plans to release a MacBook Pro with a new design and OLED display toward the end of 2026, finally shaking up the status quo. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a reliable source for Apple leaks, now reports that while an OLED MacBook is still on the way, it might not actually be called a MacBook Pro. Instead, it could be called the “MacBook Ultra.”

Gurman’s reasoning is that, since it’s expected to feature a touch-enabled OLED display, it would almost certainly drive the price up beyond the current MacBook Pro lineup, which starts at $1,700 for the 14-inch M5 model. Since switching to OLED could raise the price by as much as 20 percent — similar to what happened when the iPad Pro moved to OLED — Gurman believes this upcoming MacBook could become the new top-tier model in Apple’s MacBook lineup, sitting above the MacBook Pro rather than replacing it outright.

As for the “MacBook Ultra” name, Gurman reports that it is not yet guaranteed to be called this, and the company might still choose to call it the MacBook Pro. However, since the “Ultra” branding would clearly indicate that this new MacBook is the highest-end model, it is certainly a possibility. Plus, the “Ultra” branding could also align with Apple’s other future product plans.

Other “Ultra” products could be coming soon from Apple

Apple could give its long-awaited foldable iPhone the Ultra name

Credit: ldt / Pocket-lint

In addition to the OLED MacBook Ultra potentially coming, there are two other products coming soon from Apple that could also get the Ultra branding, according to Gurman.

The first is the highly anticipated foldable iPhone. This phone has been in the rumor mill for years now, but it could finally see the light of day by the end of 2026. Since the phone is expected to have a large inner screen and a cover screen, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and a higher price tag than the iPhone Pro, it reportedly could be called the “iPhone Ultra,” rather than something like the “iPhone Fold,” but again, this isn’t set in stone.

The second device that reportedly could also have the Ultra attached to its name is a new set of AirPods with Visual Intelligence features. Since these would be higher-end than the AirPods Pro, again, Gurman reports the Ultra name could be used here, especially since the AirPods Max already exists.

Personally, I think the “MacBook Ultra” name makes sense for Apple to use, since the laptop will likely be priced higher due to its OLED screen, and it would help clearly distinguish it from the MacBook Pro models with a Super Retina XDR Display. However, for the foldable iPhone, I believe Apple should go with something like the iPhone Fold to clearly indicate what it is, just like Samsung does. As for the new high-end AirPods, I think using Ultra would be appropriate since Apple already uses the Pro and Max names for AirPods.

As for what I’m most excited about, it would definitely be the MacBook Ultra. I’ve been using my M1 Pro MacBook Pro for nearly five years now, and it’s hands-down the best laptop I’ve ever used. I haven’t been convinced to upgrade yet, but an OLED MacBook would definitely entice me. I’ve used plenty of Windows laptops with OLED screens that look incredible, and having that on a MacBook finally would be a dream come true, if the price isn’t too exuberant compared to the MacBook Pro.

In other Apple news, last week, the company announced its entry-level MacBook Neo priced at $600, a new M5 MacBook Air, and the iPhone 17e, all set to launch on March 11.