Apple might totally switch up its MacBook Pro lineup with a new 16-inch model, potentially replacing the 15-inch version that's long exited.
Earlier this year, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is usually spot-on with his wide-reaching investor notes, claimed that Apple will release a new 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2019. And there are plenty of other bits of evidence to suggest a larger MacBook Pro is in the works and will be announced soon. Here's what we know about this upcoming machine.
16-inch MacBook Pro release date
- Most likely in October
Apple recently registered the following unreleased notebook models with the Eurasian Economic Commission database: A2141, A2147, A2158, A2159, A2179, A2182, and A2251. Registrations like these tend to precede official announcements by just a few months. And Apple typically holds a second autumn event to focus on the iPad and the Mac. So, perhaps we'll learn more soon.
According to the EEC listings, as spotted by French site Consomac and MacRumors, all seven models are described as "portable" computers. We can assume they're either MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro laptops. The big questions are whether they're minor upgrades or major refreshes - and whether they'll be unveiled sooner rather than later. Guess we'll have to wait to learn.
Keep in mind, in early August, it was suggested that the new 16-inch version would be a replacement for the 15-inch model instead of an additional new Mac. This makes logical sense, even though the existing 15-incher is only months old. Perhaps Apple will introduce the new model as a premium option with a larger screen in a smaller footprint - a trick used by other vendors.
Apple recently updated the 2019 MacBook Pro line, however, adding more powerful processors and a yet another tweak to the controversial butterfly keyboard design. So, the only aspect giving us pause is, considering Apple recently updated its Pro range, why wouldn’t it have also refreshed its laptops with the so-called "all-new design" at the same time? Why delay until autumn?
Design
- Might come with all-new design and new CPU
- Could have 16-inch (or 16.5-inch) LCD (or OLED) display
It been assumed that Apple will continue with the current design of the MacBook Pro until at least 2020. The MacBook Pro last saw a slight redesign two-and-half years ago, with the introduction of the touchbar MacBook Pro models.
New clues spotted by MacGeneration in the MacOS Catalina 10.15.1 beta contained thumbnails and references to a new MacBook Pro model called MacBookPro16,1. The images appear to show what looks like a larger MacBook Pro in both silver and space grey colours and with thinner bezels than the existing 15-inch MacBook Pro. MacRumors has also confirmed these files are present.
Add it all up, and it looks like the 16-inch MacBook Pro is real, and we're getting our first look at the machine. Keep in mind Apple's products have leaked before via icons in Apple betas, including the iPhone X in 2017, the iPhone XS Max and iPad Pro last year, and most recently, Apple’s rumoured noise-canceling AirPod Pros in the iOS 13.2 beta. So, this isn't a one-off situation that can't be trusted.
Display
- 3,072×1,920-pixel resolution
- Samsung OLED display?
Analyst Jeff Lin (via Forbes) claims the laptop will have a 16-inch display with an LCD supplied by LG Display, and it'll have a 3,072×1,920-pixel resolution. For reference, the latest 15-inch MacBook Pro has 2,880×1,800 pixels.
HKorean website The Elec recently said that Samsung may supply Apple with an OLED display for the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Specs
- 9th generation Intel Core chips
- Similar specs to the May 15-inch refresh
A 16-inch MacBook Pro would be the largest MacBook available in Apple's existing lineup, and a machine that size could come with Intel's fastest mobile processors, or the ninth-generation H series mobile Intel processors like the Core i9-9980HK 8-core.
There's little we know, however, including what sort graphics horsepower it might feature. The May refresh of the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro not only has the Core i9-9980HK 8-core but is still using graphics configurable up to Radeon Pro Vega 20 graphics with 4GB of HBM2 memory.
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