Apple's October 28 event: touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini, what to expect

Key figures

The date: October 28, with activity from the 27th

Early October reports from Bloomberg, relayed by MacRumors and AppleInsider, pointed to October 27. On October 15 and 16, 9to5Mac and MacDailyNews reported that Apple had started inviting media to an all-day product launch experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

This would not be a classic keynote with a live stream. It is described as a hands-on experience for journalists, creators and creative professionals, with activity from the evening of October 27. Apple may publish videos and press releases on its website around the 27th. Apple has not made any public announcement, so the exact day of the announcements may still change.

The star: the first touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro

The redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro would be the biggest change to the Mac in years:

• A touchscreen, a first for a Mac.
• An OLED display, with deeper blacks and better contrast than the current mini-LED screens.
• A Dynamic Island, the iPhone-style cut-out, in place of the notch.
• A lighter design, although 9to5Mac notes that the most extreme thinness expectations have been toned down.
• M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, according to a June report, not M6.
• The MacBook Pro name is expected to stay.

Software is getting ready: MacDailyNews notes that the betas of macOS 27.2 added touch-friendly features such as pull-to-refresh gestures and larger controls in Safari, Photos and Notes.

The OLED iPad mini

The iPad mini is expected to switch to an OLED screen, with a front camera moved to the long side for landscape video calls and a redesigned speaker system. Some reports mention an A20 Pro chip and improved durability, but these details are less certain.

M6 iMac and entry-level MacBook Pro

Apple's M6 chip debuted in the Mac mini in August 2026. The 24-inch iMac and the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro are expected to get it, with an unchanged design: these would be chip updates, not redesigns.

What we don't know yet

• Prices: no price has leaked. An OLED touchscreen is likely to make the new MacBook Pro more expensive than current models, but this is not confirmed.
• Availability: release dates and countries are unknown.
• Full specifications: screen resolution, battery life and weight have not been reported.

Should you wait before buying?

• You want a MacBook Pro: yes, wait until October 28. Either you get the new design, or the current models may become cheaper.
• You want an iPad mini: wait as well, the OLED screen is a big upgrade for reading and video.
• You want an iMac: the M6 update should bring more speed in the same design; waiting a few days costs nothing.
• You need a MacBook Air: it is not expected at this event; the MacBook Air M5 remains a safe buy.
• Black Friday: if the new models are expensive, discounts on current MacBook Pro models are likely; see our Black Friday 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

Will the event be streamed? The reports describe a hands-on media and creator experience rather than a classic streamed keynote. Apple may publish videos online.

Will the touchscreen MacBook Pro support the Apple Pencil? This has not been reported.

Is there also a home event? The Mac Observer reports a separate smart home event in New York earlier in October; this preview covers only the Mac and iPad launch.

Will the M6 MacBook Air come too? It is not among the products reported for this launch.

Verdict

If the reports are right, October 28 will bring the biggest MacBook Pro redesign in years, with Apple's first touchscreen and an OLED display, alongside an OLED iPad mini and M6 updates for the iMac and entry-level MacBook Pro. Until Apple confirms prices and dates, the best advice is simple: if you planned to buy a Mac or an iPad mini, wait a few days. We will update this article after the announcements. For a laptop now, read MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air M5 and our laptop guide.

This preview is based on reports by the outlets listed in our sources, mainly relaying Bloomberg. Apple has not confirmed these products, prices or dates.