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

Top Rated Comments

Klatti Avatar
51 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
51 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
51 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
51 months ago
MacBook Pro X

Wallets, prepare for impact
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
51 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
51 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)

Popular Stories

BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
Apple Watch Edition Gold 2015

Original Apple Watch is Now Obsolete, Including $17,000 Gold Model

Monday October 2, 2023 9:15 am PDT by
All first-generation Apple Watch models released in 2015 were added to Apple's obsolete products list on September 30, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors. As a result, these outdated "Series 0" watches are no longer eligible for repairs or other service at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Provider locations. The list of obsolete models includes the first-generation...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Mac Trade-In Changes May Indicate New Model to Launch This Month

Tuesday October 3, 2023 6:30 am PDT by
Apple may be proceeding with plans to release a new Mac model this month, according to potentially related information obtained by MacRumors. Details pertaining to imminent changes to Mac trade-ins provided to MacRumors by a verified source suggest that Apple will likely begin accepting new models for trade-in this month. Similar changes in June coincided with WWDC, when Apple began accepting...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...