Apple confirms October 28 event, MacBook Pro and iPad Mini launch expected

Apple is expected to unveil new products on October 28, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro and an OLED iPad mini 8. The lineup could also include an M6-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro and an updated 24-inch iMac. Here's what to expect from Apple's upcoming product launch.

In Short

• Apple is expected to unveil new products at its October 28 event
• The touchscreen MacBook Pro could feature an OLED display
• Some of the new devices could go on sale as early as November 6

Apple is preparing to unveil its second wave of products next Wednesday, October 28. Similar to October 13’s “Welcome Home” event – where the giant introduced its smart home lineup – the upcoming “Pro and Tell” won’t be a conventional Apple event like the one on September 9. Even so, Apple is reportedly bringing some exciting new products, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro at the event.

Apple has already started inviting media personnel to the event in Los Angeles to get hands-on experience with the new devices. Though Apple is yet to confirm what it will reveal, thanks to the rumour mill, we have a good idea of what to expect. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, we are going to see quite a range of products, including a touch-screen MacBook Pro, a 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro, a new iMac, and an iPad mini OLED.

What could the touch-screen MacBook Pro bring to the table?

One key highlight of the event is the purported touch-screen MacBook Pro. Apple is likely putting two things in it for the first time — an OLED display and touchscreen technology. The design of the laptop is also expected to see a change; the notch we see in current MacBooks is expected to be replaced by the Dynamic Island familiar from the iPhone.

The move to OLED could be a big upgrade for people who use their MacBooks for creative work. Unlike LCD and mini-LED displays, OLED panels can switch off individual pixels, resulting in deeper blacks, richer colours and better contrast. This could make a difference when editing photos, working on videos or watching movies. However, OLED displays can sometimes fall short of mini-LED panels when it comes to peak brightness.

The touchscreen is another major change. Users are reportedly going to be able to tap and swipe on the MacBook Pro's screen, much like they do on an iPad. But don't expect Apple to turn the MacBook into an iPad just yet. The touchscreen is expected to work alongside the keyboard and trackpad rather than replace them.

There is also a practical concern with touchscreens on laptops. Tapping the display can make the screen wobble, so Apple is reportedly adding a reinforced hinge to keep it steady. The new MacBook Pro is also expected to be lighter than current models and come in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes.

As for the processor, Apple may stick with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips for these OLED models, rather than wait for the next generation. The company is reportedly skipping the M6 Pro and M6 Max, with the M7 Pro and M7 Max not expected until late 2027 or early 2028. The OLED MacBook Pro could also cost more than the current models, although its exact price remains unknown.

14-inch MacBook Pro could get the M6 chip

Alongside the touchscreen models, Apple is expected to update its entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip. This would replace the M5 chip that arrived with the current model in October 2025.

However, don't expect a major design makeover here. The entry-level MacBook Pro is reportedly set to retain its existing design, with the new chip being the main upgrade. This could give buyers a newer processor without having to pay the expected higher price of the OLED models.

New iMac with M6 chip

The 24-inch iMac is also expected to get Apple's M6 chip. Like the entry-level MacBook Pro, the desktop computer is not expected to receive any significant external changes.

That means the familiar all-in-one design could stay the same, with the main upgrade happening under the hood. Apple has yet to confirm the specifications, so details about performance improvements and other changes remain unclear.

iPad mini 8 could get an OLED display

Apple may also have an update for people who prefer a smaller tablet. The rumoured iPad mini 8 is expected to get an OLED display, which would make it the first iPad outside the Pro lineup to use this screen technology.

The display is not the only expected change. The tablet could get a design refresh with a vibration-based speaker system that eliminates traditional speaker holes. This could help improve water resistance, and the iPad mini 8 may become the first iPad with an IP rating. However, it remains unclear whether it would be protected against splashes only or could also withstand submersion.

Under the hood, the tablet is expected to use the A20 Pro chip, which is also tipped to power the iPhone 18 Pro models. The front camera could move to the landscape edge, making video calls more natural when the tablet is used horizontally. What remains uncertain is whether Apple will retain a 60Hz refresh rate or bring its 120Hz ProMotion technology to the smaller iPad.

All these upgrades could come at a cost. The iPad mini 8 is rumoured to be around $200 (roughly Rs 18,992) more expensive than the current model, which starts at $599 (around Rs 56,883) in the US.

When could the new Apple devices go on sale?

Apple is expected to unveil the new products on October 28, with some devices potentially going on sale as early as November 6. Pre-orders could open on the day of the announcement, although Apple has not confirmed the schedule or the products it plans to reveal.

For now, the touchscreen MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini remain among the most interesting possibilities. If the reports are accurate, Apple's upcoming event could bring some of the biggest changes to its Mac and compact tablet lineups in years.

- Ends