The second round of product announcements in October now has a date: Apple is expected to unveil the MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen on October 27th. According to reports, this will be accompanied by a new iPad mini, an iMac, and a more affordable MacBook Pro – in a different form factor than before.
That Apple is planning a second event after the one on October 13th had already become apparent at the beginning of the week. The date and products were still unknown. A Bloomberg report now confirms both: The presentation is expected to take place on or around Tuesday, October 27th.
The focus is on the MacBook Pro with OLED display and touchscreen in 14- and 16-inch models, about which rumors have been swirling for months. Bloomberg sees the event as tailored to creative professionals working with video, photography, and music.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Apple is expected to unveil new Macs and a new iPad mini on or around October 27th.
- According to the report, a video presentation is planned, supplemented by on-site press events.
- The new MacBook Pro will reportedly feature OLED, a touchscreen, and for the first time a Dynamic Island processor, powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max.
- In addition, there will be an iMac and a 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 in the previous design, as well as an iPad mini with OLED.
Four devices for the last week of October
The top-of-the-line model is the MacBook Pro with a touchscreen. According to Bloomberg, it will feature 14- and 16-inch OLED displays, a Dynamic Island architecture for the first time, and is expected to be significantly lighter than current models. The chipset is expected to be the M5 Pro and M5 Max, not the new M6 generation.
The M6 processor will instead be used in two other devices: a new iMac and the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro. Both are expected to have a design similar to the current models. This aligns with earlier reports that the entry-level model wouldn't receive the new design until early 2027.
Bloomberg reports that the iPad mini will feature an OLED display, a repositioned FaceTime camera, and a redesigned speaker system. The report makes no mention of the refresh rate; however, a leaker confirmed today that the OLED iPad mini will have a 60Hz refresh rate.
| Device | Chip according to report | New |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 14 and 16 inch | M5 Pro, M5 Max | OLED, touchscreen, Dynamic Island, lightweight |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch (Entry-level) | M6 | Chip, design unchanged |
| iMac | M6 | Chip, design unchanged |
| iPad mini | – | OLED display, repositioned camera, new speakers |
Video instead of press release
There were two precedents for the last week of October. In 2023, Apple presented new Macs in a video presentation on the evening of October 30th, California time; in 2024, the company distributed three press releases over three days.
Bloomberg now describes a hybrid approach: an online video presentation, combined with in-person events where the press can try out the devices – like the one planned for Los Angeles in 2024. I think this makes sense for a device with a new user interface: a touchscreen on a Mac is difficult to explain in a press release.
Good success rate at the event
The information comes from a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the plans. The accuracy rate is good: Bloomberg already reported the date for the October 13th event on September 30th, and Apple has since confirmed it with the "Welcome Home" invitation.
The date is still tentative. Bloomberg writes of "on or around" October 27th; a precise date for the sales launch is missing, as are prices.
Why I would wait for the touchscreen
I consider this round to be the more important of the two in October. On October 13th, the focus is on the home, on the 27th on the devices that many people use for work – and with the touchscreen, the way the Mac itself is used is changing.
Anyone currently looking to buy a MacBook Pro should wait the next three weeks. Even those who want to stick with the current design will likely get the M6 processor in the entry-level model, and the current MacBook Pro models will lose their top spot.
Would you opt for the expensive MacBook Pro with a touchscreen and OLED display, or is the entry-level model with the M6 processor and familiar design sufficient for you? Share your prediction in the comments.
