MacBook Pro 2016 release date, specs rumors: To come in Q4 2016 with Skylake processors, touchscreen keyboard?

Reports indicate that Apple could release new MacBook Pros later this year and that these new laptops will come equipped with Skylake processors, special hinges, and possibly even detachable touchscreens or touchscreen keyboards.

The last time Apple's MacBook Pro lineup was updated was in 2015, when the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina received significant updates in March and the 15-inch MacBook Pro was refreshed in May. New versions of the MacBook Pro are thus imminent.

While some expected the new MacBook Pro 2016 to make an appearance at this year's WWDC, Apple's annual developer event, the conference centered on new software updates instead of hardware. Thus, even if the tech giant is indeed working on a MacBook Pro 2016, its unveiling was shelved in favor of iOS and OS X update announcements.

According to a report by DigiTimes, Apple could instead be gearing up to announce new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros in the back half of the year, specifically the fourth quarter. The report also suggests that the new laptops will come with new hinges produced using "metal injection molding." These new hinges are supposedly being manufactured by Ampenol, the company that makes the hinges for Microsoft's convertible tablets.

According to the outlet, the new hinges for the 15-inch MacBook Pros are scheduled to arrive in the third quarter of 2016, just in time for a fourth quarter release.

Meanwhile, reports say that the biggest change to the new MacBook Pros will likely be their processors. According to Apple Insider, Apple is likely to revamp its MacBook Pro range with the latest generation of Intel's Skylake processors. These new chips should give the new MacBook Pros a significant power boost while also amping up their battery life.

There are also rumors that the new laptops will get detachable touchscreens, though Tech Radar warns that this is unlikely.

According to the website, there is a better chance of the new MacBook Pros getting a touchscreen keyboard.

9to5Mac recently reported on news from the French website MacGeneration about the discovery of codes that may or may not allude to an OLED touch bar with virtualized buttons.

Reports have also suggested that the new MacBook Pros will feature four USB-C ports and that they will come in Gold, Space Gray, and Rose Gold.

There has been no offical word from Apple about the rumored MacBook Pro 2016.