Redesigned MacBook Pro Models May Not Ship to Customers Until Late 2021

The long-rumored and highly anticipated redesigned 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple silicon will enter its phase of mass production in the first quarter of next year, according to industry sources cited in a paywalled DigiTimes report.

16 inch macbook pro m2 render
According to the report, the smaller 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ will enter "volume production" in the fourth quarter of this year, while the larger 16-inch model is aimed at the first quarter of next year. However, despite mass production for the laptops starting later in the year and next year, DigiTimes still reports that Apple will announce them in the second half of 2021.

Apple plans to release two miniLED-backlit MacBook Pro products - a 14-inch and a 16-inch - in the second half of 2021, noted the sources.

Judging from the supply of miniLED backlighting applications, volume production of the 14-inch MacBook Pro is likely to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021, and the 16-inch model will start in the first quarter of 2022, said the sources.

The scenario described by ‌DigiTimes‌ is reminiscent of the launch of the new M1 iPad Pro. The new iPad was announced in April but didn't begin shipping until the second half of May. Even then supply continues to remains tight, with some customers having to wait until July.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously noted that Apple could be planning to announce the new 14-inch and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ as soon as early this summer. Apple will be holding its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7, and ahead of the conference, some tenuous reports have suggested the MacBook Pros could be announced; however, those claims have yet to be backed up by reliable sources.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months. Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...
M5 MacBook Pro

Apple Reportedly Aiming to Upgrade the MacBook Pro Twice This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 11:46 am PST by
Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year. First up...

Top Rated Comments

Kierkegaarden Avatar
61 months ago
The report is referring to MiniLED-based laptops, so while the timeline for those might be accurate, Apple could still release non-MiniLED laptops this summer. It would be good to get these out before school starts in the fall.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arcite Avatar
61 months ago
Just three more days of rumor mongering left.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alphaswift Avatar
61 months ago
Seems odd that Apple would announce new systems then not start selling them for almost 6 months. That will impact sales and Apple has always been smarter than this. If Apple does not announce new computers next week, I will not be surprised.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0-0 Avatar
61 months ago
jon prosser still remains confident for a wwdc announcement
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
61 months ago
Just what MR needs; another potential product rumor crisis. Lol :P
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
James Godfrey Avatar
61 months ago
I call BS… why announce these machines at WWDC, then not ship til November, they would be better off announcing them in November with immediate shipping…

So to that end I think either:

A: The MBP announced Monday will launch without miniLED with a minor refresh late this year to include miniLED with a $100 price bump

or

B: They will launch without miniLED for faster delivery, but they will have the optional upgrade of miniLED for an extra $100 but those who opt to include miniLED won’t ship until late 2021.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)