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Apple Pro and Tell Event: 5 Things to Expect on 28 October

Apple Pro and Tell Event: 5 Things to Expect on 28 October
Photo by Carles Rabada on Unsplash

The Apple Pro and Tell event on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, is expected to bring something Apple held off on for more than a decade: a Mac you can touch. According to reporting from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, an OLED iPad mini, an M6 iMac and a cheaper M6 MacBook Pro should launch alongside it.

Key takeaways

  • Apple confirmed the “Pro and tell” event for 28 October 2026 in Los Angeles, starting at 10 a.m. Pacific (1 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. UK).
  • The headline product is expected to be a redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with a touch-enabled OLED screen, a Dynamic Island and M5 Pro or M5 Max chips.
  • An iPad mini with an OLED screen, new speakers and a relocated FaceTime camera is also expected.
  • Entry-level updates should include an M6 iMac and an M6 14-inch MacBook Pro, both with their current designs.
  • Prices are likely to go up. Apple has not confirmed any product or price.

What is the Apple Pro and Tell event?

Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak announced the event on 19 October 2026 and posted the invitation artwork with the line: “Can’t wait to pro and tell next week.” 9to5Mac reported that invitations went to members of the press.

It is Apple’s second event in October. The first, “Welcome home”, took place in New York on 13 October and launched the HomeView smart display, the HomePod mini 2 and a new Apple TV 4K.

Don’t expect a classic keynote. Android Headlines reported that journalists and content creators have been invited to an all-day hands-on showcase. When the invite went out, Apple’s Events page had no livestream listed. That suggests the products will arrive through press releases and hands-on videos, not a streamed presentation.

Why does a touchscreen MacBook Pro matter so much?

Apple spent years arguing that touchscreens don’t belong on laptops, and kept touch on the iPad. If Gurman is right, these would be the first macOS computers with direct touch control.

Here is what the reports describe:

  • OLED display. OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panels light each pixel on its own, so blacks look truly black and contrast is higher than on today’s mini-LED screens.
  • Dynamic Island. The notch would give way to the pill-shaped cutout from the iPhone.
  • A lighter body and a reinforced hinge, so the screen doesn’t wobble when you tap it.
  • M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Earlier rumours pointed to M6 Pro and M6 Max. MacRumors reports Apple is now expected to use its existing high-end chips.

The software matters as much as the glass. Macworld reports that macOS 27 includes a touch-tuned interface. Menus and buttons get bigger when you touch the screen and shrink back when you go back to the trackpad. Think of a restaurant that hands you a large-print menu only when you squint. The layout adapts to the input you’re using at that moment.

The name is still unknown. Gurman has said Apple could keep “MacBook Pro” or move these models to a new tier, possibly called “MacBook Ultra”, above the standard Pro line.

What’s new in the OLED iPad mini?

The iPad mini is expected to switch from LCD to OLED for the first time. Bloomberg’s reporting also mentions a revamped speaker system and a FaceTime camera moved to the landscape edge, which is where it sits when you hold the tablet sideways on a video call.

Several other details are still rumours. Reports point to an A20 Pro chip, a Samsung-made panel and better water resistance. Apple is said to be using vibrating surfaces that produce sound in place of speaker grilles, which leaves fewer openings for dust and water to get in. A French regulatory filing for a new Smart Folio case suggests older covers won’t fit the new model.

The expected lineup at a glance

ProductChip (reported)Main changeDesign
MacBook Pro 14″/16″ (touch)M5 Pro / M5 MaxOLED touchscreen, Dynamic IslandNew, lighter
MacBook Pro 14″ (entry)M6Chip upgradeUnchanged
iMacM6Chip upgradeUnchanged
iPad miniA20 ProOLED, new speakers, moved cameraRedesigned

The M6 chip has already shipped in the updated Mac mini, so the iMac and entry-level MacBook Pro updates are mainly about speed. If you’re happy with your current design, those two are the safe, low-drama upgrades.

How much will the new devices cost?

Apple hasn’t announced prices, but the trend points up. Apple raised MacBook Pro prices by $300 to $500 in June 2026, and the 14-inch M5 model now starts at $1,999. When the iPad Pro moved to OLED, its price rose by $200. Expect the touch models to cost more than the current Pros.

The iPad mini 7 has started at $599 since a $100 price increase in late June 2026. Gurman has suggested the OLED model could cost up to $100 more. My opinion: an $699 iPad mini would be hard to justify for casual readers, but it would still appeal to pilots, nurses and anyone else who needs a small, sharp screen at work.

What happens next

Apple shows the products in Los Angeles on 28 October 2026. If it follows its usual pattern, pre-orders open soon afterwards and shipping starts about a week or two later. Reports say Apple has been testing the touch Macs with macOS 27.2, so that software update should arrive close to launch.

Looking further ahead, MacRumors reports that the standard 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros are expected to move to M7 Pro and M7 Max chips in 2027. If you want the fastest chip, waiting may pay off. If you want touch and OLED, this is the generation to watch.

FAQ

When is the Apple Pro and Tell event?

Wednesday, 28 October 2026, in Los Angeles. It starts at 10 a.m. Pacific, which is 1 p.m. Eastern and 5 p.m. UK time.

Will the touchscreen MacBook Pro use M6 chips?

Probably not. Recent Bloomberg reporting says the OLED touch models will use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Only the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro and the iMac are expected to get the M6.

Will the OLED iPad mini cost more?

Most likely. The current model starts at $599, and Mark Gurman has suggested the new one could cost up to $100 more. Apple will confirm prices at launch.

Planning to buy a Mac or iPad this autumn? Wait until after 28 October 2026 and compare the confirmed specs and prices before you spend.

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