Technology

Apple’s ‘Pro and Tell’ Event on Oct. 28: Touchscreen MacBook Pro, iPad mini 8 and What to Expect

Apple’s Pro and Tell launch is on Oct. 28, 2026. Here’s what’s expected: a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro, M6 MacBook Pro and iMac, an OLED iPad mini, and when you can buy.

ByKara
UpdatedOctober 20, 2026
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MacBook Pro 16 (M1 Pro, 2021) by Premeditated, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Current-design 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro with notch display, open on a store table

Apple’s “Pro and Tell” launch happens on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, starting at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) in Los Angeles. Apple hasn’t said what it will show, but the name and the reporting so far point the same way: the first touchscreen MacBook Pro with an OLED display, M6 updates to the entry-level MacBook Pro and the 24-inch iMac, and an OLED iPad mini. If the pattern of Apple’s last launch holds, preorders could open the same day, with devices in stores as soon as November 6.

Below is what’s confirmed, what’s still rumor, and how to decide whether to buy now or wait a week.

What Apple has actually confirmed

Very little, which is normal for Apple. Invitations went out on October 19 to press and creators for an in-person “Apple Experience” in Los Angeles on October 28, according to Engadget and Tom’s Guide, which received an invite. Apple’s marketing chief, Greg Joswiak, teased it on X the same day: “Can’t wait to pro and tell next week.”

This isn’t expected to be a classic keynote. MacRumors reports that, like the October 13 “Welcome Home” smart home announcement, most people will learn about the new products through Apple press releases on the morning of October 28, while invited media get hands-on time in Los Angeles.

The big one: a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro

The headline product is a redesigned high-end MacBook Pro. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reiterated that touchscreen MacBooks are coming at this event, as Engadget notes. Here’s what the reports describe:

OLED display. A first for a Mac laptop, promising better contrast, richer color and some power savings. Both the 14-inch and 16-inch sizes are expected to get it.
Touchscreen. Touch would work alongside the keyboard and trackpad rather than replacing them. AppleInsider reported that references to touch input turned up in the macOS 27.2 developer beta on October 5.
Dynamic Island instead of the notch. The camera cutout is reportedly giving way to an iPhone-style Dynamic Island.
A sturdier hinge. Needed so the screen doesn’t wobble when you tap it.
Lighter build. Reports say the new models will be noticeably lighter, though an October 8 report walked back earlier talk of a thinner chassis, per AppleInsider.

Which chip will it use?

This is the surprising part. MacRumors and Engadget both report that the OLED models are expected to keep the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips from the MacBook Pro models introduced in March, because Apple is reportedly skipping M6 Pro and M6 Max. So this is a screen-and-design upgrade more than a speed upgrade.

Will it still be called MacBook Pro?

Earlier rumors floated a “MacBook Ultra” name. MacRumors now says Apple is sticking with “Pro,” and the event name backs that up. It may also sit above the current models rather than replacing them, since OLED panels and touch hardware add cost. Expect it to be the most expensive MacBook Pro yet, though no price has been reported with confidence.

M6 MacBook Pro and M6 iMac: quiet spec bumps

Apple put its M6 chip into the Mac mini in August. The next step is spreading it around the lineup:

Entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is expected to move from M5 (October 2025) to M6, keeping the same mini-LED ProMotion screen, ports, speakers and chassis.
24-inch iMac is expected to get M6 with no external changes. An OLED iMac is rumored for much later.

If you want a solid Mac and don’t care about touch or OLED, these are likely to be the better value picks.

iPad mini 8: OLED and possible water resistance

The iPad mini is the other headliner. A model identifier for the iPad mini showed up on a French regulatory site, which usually means a launch is close. The expected changes:

An 8.4-inch OLED display, the first OLED screen on an iPad mini.
An A20-series chip (MacRumors says the A20 Pro from the iPhone 18 Pro), possibly with Apple’s own networking and modem chips.
Vibration-based speakers with no speaker holes, which could make it the first iPad with an official water resistance rating.
The front camera moved to the landscape edge for better video calls.

Whether it gets a 120Hz ProMotion screen is still unclear. MacRumors also warns that OLED and waterproofing could push the price about $200 above the current $599 model. If the iPad mini does pick up Apple’s modem, cellular versions are worth a look; our explainer on how 5G improves data and AI capabilities covers why faster mobile connections matter.

What’s not expected on October 28

According to AppleInsider, these are rumored for early 2027 instead: MacBook Air, MacBook Neo, iPad Air, iPad Pro, the entry-level iPad, iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2. So if you’re shopping for a MacBook Air, this event probably isn’t your moment.

Should you buy a Mac or iPad now or wait?

With the event about a week away, waiting is the safer move for almost anyone shopping for a MacBook Pro, iMac or iPad mini. Even if you don’t want the new models, launches often push retailers to discount the outgoing ones.

Wait if you’re about to buy a MacBook Pro, iMac or iPad mini.
Buy now only if you need a machine this week or you’re shopping for a product that isn’t expected (like a MacBook Air) and see a good deal.
Back up first. Whatever you buy, make a full backup before moving to a new device. Our guide to data protection as a service explains the options.
Be honest about touch. If your work is mostly typing, a touchscreen may matter less than battery life and price. If you’re doing heavier creative or generative AI work, the Pro models’ memory and chip options still matter more than the screen.

Frequently asked questions

When is Apple’s Pro and Tell event?

Wednesday, October 28, 2026, starting at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) in Los Angeles.

Can I watch the Pro and Tell event live?

It’s not expected to be a traditional streamed keynote. MacRumors reports that announcements will most likely come through Apple press releases that morning, with invited media getting hands-on time in person.

Will the new MacBook Pro have a touchscreen?

That’s what multiple reports, including Bloomberg’s, expect. Apple hasn’t confirmed it.

When can I buy the new devices?

Reports suggest preorders could open on October 28 with availability as soon as November 6, which matches a planned Apple Store refresh on that date.

How much will the OLED MacBook Pro cost?

No reliable price has been reported. Expect it to cost more than the current MacBook Pro because of the OLED panel and touch hardware.

This article will be updated after Apple’s announcements on October 28. Everything beyond the event date and location is based on reporting from MacRumors, AppleInsider, Engadget, Tom’s Guide and Bloomberg, and isn’t confirmed by Apple.

Featured image: MacBook Pro 16 (M1 Pro, 2021) by Premeditated, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.