MacBook Pro M6 leaker just gave us first look at all-new design — 7 biggest changes

MacBook Pro M5
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Apple is expected to launch an M6-powered MacBook Pro next year, and beyond a faster, more powerful chipset, it could be the redesign we’ve been waiting for. Among the major revamps, we could see an OLED touchscreen, Dynamic Island and a slimmer form factor.

YouTuber AppleTrack broke it all down in his latest video, where he took a look at all of the updates we could see in one of the best laptops. There’s a lot, but these are the seven biggest changes.

M6 MacBook Pro Early Look! Major Redesign! - YouTube M6 MacBook Pro Early Look! Major Redesign! - YouTube
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Lighter and thinner

MacBook Pro M5

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

AppleTrack says that the M6 MacBook Pro will be both lighter and thinner than the current M5-powered MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air M4.

A 16-inch version of the M5 MacBook Pro isn’t available yet (also expected to debut in early 2026), but the 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 launched this past October. It weighs 3.4 pounds and measures 0.61 inches tall.

The 15-inch MacBook Air M4, released in March 2025, comes in a slightly more svelte 3.3 pounds with a height of 0.4 inches. Smack dab in the middle, the M6 MacBook Pro could weigh around 3.3 pounds with a height of 0.5 inches.

OLED, baby

Apple OLED branding iPad Pro

(Image credit: Apple)

One of the more exciting rumors seemingly confirmed by AppleTrack is that the M6 MacBook Pro will finally feature an OLED display. Apple finally added OLED displays in the recent versions of the iPad Pro, starting with the debut of the iPad Pro M4 last year.

It’s been suggested that Apple will put a similar tandem OLED display in next year’s MacBook Pro, which would improve not only the blacks but also the colors. Currently, the MacBook Pro features a Liquid Retina XDR display.

Alongside OLED, AppleTrack suggests that the Pro could feature a touchscreen with a redesigned hinge so that actually tapping the screen doesn’t shake or move the whole laptop. It doesn’t seem necessary to me, but perhaps it's the first step toward the rumored giant folding iPad.

Unfortunately, this upgraded display may be stuck behind an M6 Pro and M6 Max gate. The standard M6 model is supposed to utilize the current Liquid Retina display.

Dynamic Island grows up

The Dynamic Island on an iPhone 14 Pro Max

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

A surprising number of updates could arrive underneath the screen as well. It’s been rumored that Apple will bring the iPhone’s Dynamic Island to the MacBook thanks to Apple making the webcam a punch-hole, similar to the selfie cam on phones.

The webcam is expected to record 4K call quality utilizing the same 18MP in the iPhone 17 lineup, according to AppleTrack.

This change would free up space on the display for Dynamic ISland to debut. The feature arrived with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max and can be found in the current iPhone 17 lineup.

With the launch of macOS Tahoe, Apple added Live Activities, which track things like Uber Eats orders or live scores for sports. It’s a feature that debuted with the Dynamic Island and lends credence to the rumors that the feature will come to MacBooks.

Despite a new camera, it appears unlikely Apple will add FaceID instead of retaining TouchID in next year’s Pro laptop.

M6 architecture

Computer chip

(Image credit: Morozov Anatoly | Shutterstock)

Like next year’s A20 chipset for the iPhone 18, the M6 chipset should be the first Apple laptop CPU built on TSMC’s 2nm architecture. Simply, this means the chip will feature more transistors, which translates to increases in performance, power and efficiency.

AppleTrack claimed that we could see 15% CPU gains and 30% power gains compared to the 3nm M5 chip family. With that, it should also retain the current 24-hour rated battery life.

In our lab tests, the M5 MacBook Pro lasted 18 hours and 14 minutes, 10 hours more than the Dell 14 Premium. It is shorter than its M4 predecessor, but that’s still an epic amount of battery life.

5G

redmi 5G

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The final rumored update, according to AppleTrack, is the addition of 5G cellular connectivity. “As a human,” it’s a feature he really wants with Apple selling a Wi-Fi-only version and a Wi-Fi/5G variant.

Price and release date

MacBook Pro 2023

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Currently, the 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1999, while the 16-inch version is $2499. However, AppleTrack claims both models will get a price increase of “a couple hundred dollars.” He was not more specific than that. Still, even a $200 price increase would put the 14-inch model over $2K and the 16-inch version closer to $3,000.

Finally, the revamped MacBook Pro M6 could launch in late 2026, likely in October when Apple usually releases its MacBooks, or in early 2027.


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Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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