A supply chain report on Samsung Display confirms expectations that the first OLED MacBook Pro models will launch in 2026. It says that the company is current working on the first samples of the displays, and expects to be in full production in 2026.
The report also suggests that we’ll have to wait even longer than expected for the first MacBook Air models with OLED screens …
OLED MacBook Pro launch
Current MacBook Pro screens are IPS LCD with mini-LED backlighting – an older display technology given a refresh by more precisely-controllable backlights.
There had initially been some disagreement between Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and display analyst Ross Young on when we could expect MacBook Pro screens to switch to OLED. Kuo suggested 2025, while Young said 2026. Last year, however, Kuo deferred to Ross, agreeing that 2026 was the date.
A supply-chain report in TheElec provides sufficient detail to essentially confirm this. It says that Samsung Display is currently working on sample OLED panels for the MacBook Pro, and will enter full production next year, with Apple as the primary customer.
Samsung Display IT 8th generation organic light-emitting diode (OLED) line (A6) will be completed in the first half of the year. The first depositioner (unione 1) is expected to be OLED for Apple’s MacBook Pro […]
Using the first plant, it plans to make a panel for Apple OLED MacBook Pro, which is expected to be released in 2026 […] OLED MacBook Pro shipment forecast is 3 million to 5 million units per year.
We’re expecting a “total redesign” of the MacBook Pro as part of its switch to OLED, with the notch replaced by a punch-hole for the webcam and a thinner and lighter form factor.
OLED MacBook Air postponed to 2029 or later
Early reports indicated that Apple was planning to transition the MacBook Air to OLED in 2027, with subsequent ones suggesting this had been pushed back to 2028.
However, today’s report is even more pessimistic, saying that Apple has pushed back the date to “after 2029.” Machine translation is often flakey with it comes to these things, so it’s likely this refers to “no earlier than 2029.”
Even when it does arrive, we’re expecting the MacBook Air to get an older and less sophisticated OLED panel than the MacBook Pro.
The OLED MacBook Air is also expected to get a standard single-stack display, rather than the more sophisticated Two-Stack Tandem displays we reported on for the MacBook Pro.
Single-stack displays have one red, green and blue layer, while two-stack tandem OLED has a second RGB layer. Two layers stacked in tandem increases the brightness of the screen, while also increasing longevity.
Photo by Ján Vlačuha on Unsplash
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