Could We See a 16-inch MacBook Pro Announcement Today?

Apple unveiled AirPods Pro on Monday via press release, and speculation is now rife that Apple plans to trickle out further product announcements this week, with Apple's widely anticipated 16-inch MacBook Pro rumored to be next.

16 inch MBP Solo
Apple's plans to release a 16-inch MacBook Pro were first revealed by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo back in February. Kuo said Apple was working on a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an all-new design, including the return of a more reliable scissor mechanism keyboard, for release by the end of 2019. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also reported that the notebook is coming in 2019.

On Monday, Gurman noted that Apple's new AirPods require macOS 10.15.1 to work on Macs, but Apple hasn't released this to the public, despite launching iOS 13.2 with AirPods Pro support. Gurman speculates that Apple could be holding back the next macOS update until later today because it may contain references to the 16-inch MacBook Pro that Apple doesn't want to draw attention to just yet.


Technically, that horse bolted earlier this month, when icons likely depicting a 16-inch MacBook Pro were found in the first two betas of macOS Catalina 10.15.1 released to developers. Still, it's possible Apple doesn't want to let the cat out the bag completely by shipping the update to the general public.

Stoking expectations further last week was hit-or-miss industry publication DigiTimes, which cited supply chain sources claiming the 16-inch MacBook Pro will be available by the end of October.

DigiTimes' sources said Quanta Computer had already begun volume shipments of the 16-inch MacBook Pro, which would have an "ultra-thin bezel design," the aforementioned scissor keyboard, and Intel's latest Coffee Lake Refresh or Ice Lake processors (although Intel has yet to announce Ice Lake chips appropriate for a high-end MacBook Pro).

macbookpro 161 folder

MacRumors confirmed files likely referencing a new MacBook Pro in the second beta of macOS 10.15.1 b2

The slimmer bezels would result in the 16-inch MacBook Pro being around the same size as the existing 15-inch model, despite having a larger display. IHS Markit analyst Jeff Lin believes the notebook's resolution will be 3,072x1,920 pixels.

Apple is expected to position the 16-inch MacBook Pro at the high end of its notebook lineup, with existing 15-inch and 13-inch MacBook Pro models remaining available and following suit with scissor keyboards in 2020, according to Kuo.

In his latest tweet, Gurman says he has heard that the new scissor keyboard on the rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro is a "delight," although he also notes that "we've heard that before" in relation to Apple's much-derided butterfly mechanism keyboard. Hopefully it won't be long before the public can gauge any improvements themselves.

In March of this year, Apple quietly trickled out new AirPods, iPads, and Macs over the course of three consecutive days. Does the company have more staggered releases in store the same week it announces its September-quarter financial results? Could we see the new Mac Pro, so-called "AirTags," or something more in the lead-up to the official launch of Apple TV+ this Friday? Watch this space.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro 14 & 16"
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...

Top Rated Comments

Klatti Avatar
62 months ago

I do not see them releasing a new form factor without fanfare... a silent update would be a speed bump, a new model def deserve at least a keynote :p
But a good way to skip discussion about the new keyboard and it’s reasons ?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
62 months ago
Hopefully, but seriously where is this new Apple TV? It's been a good 2 years since last release. I'm ready to buy one, I don't know why they're delaying seeing as TV+ will be out imminently.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glockworkorange Avatar
62 months ago

Hopefully, but seriously where is this new Apple TV? It's been a good 2 years since last release. I'm ready to buy one, I don't know why they're delaying seeing as TV+ will be out imminently.
What are you waiting for? ATV already has 4K and HDR support.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frou Avatar
62 months ago
MacBook Pro X

Wallets, prepare for impact
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
62 months ago

What are you waiting for? ATV already has 4K and HDR support.
To paraphrase Steve, we don’t know what we want until we’re shown it.

More storage options or kinder pricing options would be a few things off the top of my head. There are all sorts of other things they could implement. Split screen, better gaming options, dual output... who knows what they’ll do.

However if I buy a 2017 Apple TV at 2017 Apple prices, I’ll get guaranteed buyer’s remorse when the new model is released shortly. It’s been mentioned in the iOS 13 betas so it’s definitely coming.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
62 months ago

Was planning on the new laptop and after them bricking 9 of my HomePods yesterday I think I've lost my appetite for anything more from Apple given their handling of the matter. Learned a lot about apple yesterday. None of it positive.
What exactly did you learn? That companies are not perfect? Just be happy that they will fix them for free. Also, there could have been way worse problems than bricked speakers.
Like imagine if they released a phone that was recalled for exploding, then recalled again?
Or announced a speaker in August 2018, and it's still not available.
Or a folding phone that was delayed for 6 months, and still breaks at the scratch of a finger nail.
And don't get me started on the garbage that Google has been putting out. A 700$ Chromebook? At least when Apple charges more than they should, you still get a full operating system, not just Google Chrome with some crappy Android apps.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)