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| M5 series MacBook Pro pictured. |
Cupertino’s most exclusive badge is about to get three new members — and each one will cost you.
For years, Apple has treated the “Ultra” name like a rare diamond. Unlike the ubiquitous “Pro” or “Air” labels, the Ultra moniker has appeared on just a handful of products, most notably the rugged Apple Watch Ultra and a few high-end silicon chips. But according to a fresh report from Macworld, that’s about to change in a big way.
The company is reportedly preparing to launch not one, not two, but three new Ultra-branded devices over the next couple of years. Leading the charge is a completely reimagined MacBook — one with an OLED display and touch input — followed by a foldable iPhone and even an upgraded CarPlay experience.
Meet the MacBook Ultra: OLED, Touchscreen, and a Serious Price Hike
The most intriguing revelation concerns Apple’s laptop lineup. Citing anonymous sources, Macworld claims that the long-rumored OLED MacBook will officially carry the “Ultra” badge, distancing itself from the existing MacBook Pro lineup. Think of it as Apple’s answer to Windows-powered touchscreen laptops — but on its own terms and at its own pace.
For the first time ever, a MacBook will natively support touch input on macOS. That’s a seismic shift for a company that has famously resisted putting touchscreens on its laptops, arguing that the iPad and Mac should remain distinct. So why the change now? Competitive pressure, mostly. Microsoft has offered full touch compatibility on Windows for over a decade, and Apple seems finally ready to close that gap.
But this level of innovation won’t come cheap. The MacBook Ultra is expected to cost significantly more than the MacBook Pro, positioning the Pro as the “affordable alternative” for most buyers. If you were hoping to see this device on shelves in 2026, brace for disappointment. Recent reports point to a DRAM supply shortage pushing the launch back to 2027.
Speaking of OLED MacBooks, a related development is worth noting. According to an earlier analysis on laptopscheck.com, the transition from mini-LED to OLED on Apple’s high-end laptops represents a fundamental display revolution — richer blacks, better contrast, and improved battery efficiency. The MacBook Ultra would take those benefits and add a responsive touch layer, creating an entirely new way to interact with macOS.
The Foldable iPhone Ultra: Arriving Alongside iPhone 18
Apple’s first foldable phone has been rumored for years, and according to the same Macworld report, it will finally materialize as the “iPhone Ultra.” The device is expected to debut alongside the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026 — but don’t expect to grab one on launch day.
The foldable iPhone Ultra will reportedly be available in “limited quantities” after a staggered release, a familiar pattern for Apple’s most experimental product categories. Think back to the original Apple Watch or the first iPhone SE. This scarcity will likely drive resale prices through the roof, but it also gives Apple room to gauge demand without overcommitting to a brand-new form factor.
What remains unclear is the exact design. Will it be a clamshell fold like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, or a book-style fold like the Z Fold? Early whispers suggest Apple is leaning toward a “dual-display” solution that opens into a near-iPad-mini-sized screen while remaining pocketable when closed.
CarPlay Ultra and Beyond: The Growing Ecosystem
The Ultra treatment isn’t limited to hardware devices. Macworld’s sources also mention a “CarPlay Ultra” tier in development, likely offering deeper vehicle integration, performance metrics, and exclusive UI themes for high-end car manufacturers. That aligns with Apple’s broader push into automotive experiences, even as its own Apple Car project reportedly stalls.
And let’s not forget the silicon. Apple’s “Ultra” SoCs — like the M1 Ultra and M2 Ultra — already exist, merging two Max chips into one monstrous processor for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro. The MacBook Ultra would be the first portable machine to carry that same flagship branding.
What This Means for Apple’s Lineup — And Your Wallet
If this roadmap holds, Apple’s product matrix will soon have four distinct tiers: SE (budget), standard (mainstream), Pro (enthusiast), and Ultra (luxury/experimental). The Ultra name will signal not just better specs but entirely new usage paradigms — touch on macOS, folding displays on iPhone, deeper vehicle integration on CarPlay.
For consumers, the message is clear: the best is no longer the Pro. The Ultra is where Apple will take its biggest risks, and it’s where you’ll pay the highest premiums. Whether that gamble pays off depends on how well macOS adapts to touch, how durable that folding iPhone display really is, and whether the world is ready for a $3,000+ laptop.
One thing’s certain — we’ll know more by September 2026. Until then, keep an eye on those DRAM supplies and start saving.
Sources: Macworld , LaptopsCheck.com