Recently, Apple's freshly launched MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models have witnessed subtle yet noteworthy modifications in their keyboard design. Specifically, in the US English keyboard layout, keys like Tab, Caps Lock, Shift, Return, and Delete have transitioned from text-based labels to those featuring graphic symbols. This transformation was initially implemented on the MacBook Air equipped with the M4 chip and subsequently extended to the MacBook Pro released in 2026, which boasts the M5 chip.

Previously, in March 2025, Apple had already refined the design of the mute key. The icon was updated from a standard speaker representation to one with a strikethrough, effectively addressing a design quirk that had lingered for 26 years. This latest adjustment to key symbols underscores Apple's unwavering commitment to meticulous design details and enhancing the overall user experience.