Apple released the seventh beta of macOS Monterey this week, and it includes reference to two new display resolutions that suggest the highly-anticipated new MacBook Pro models will ship with upgraded displays.
As MacRumors reports, the existing 16-inch MacBook Pro has a display resolution of 3072-by-1920, while the 13-inch model is 2560-by-1600. Their pixel density is therefore around 226 pixels-per-inch (ppi). In the latest macOS beta, two new resolutions appear in the System Information app. They are 3024-by-1964 and 3456-by-2234, which equates to a pixel density of 250ppi.
We are expecting Apple to announce new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models using an M1X processor either next month or in November. It seems likely these new resolutions have been added to macOS to support those laptops. If so, the new Pros are going to enjoy a significant pixel density upgrade.
While a display upgrade in the new MacBook Pros will certainly be very visually appealing, it's what's under the hood that could offer the biggest "wow" factor. We heard back in April that Apple had started mass-producing the M2 processor, which may end up being called the M1X. It's going to offer a significant performance boost over the first-generation M1 chip, which Apple claims already allows the MacBook Air to outperform 98% of PC laptops.