Apple is planning to update the hardware on the next MacBook Pro models to offer a more efficient laptop, but now we know of one eagerly anticipated upgrade that has been delayed for a very long time.
Apple’s decision to delay the introduction of an OLED display to the MacBook Pro will be a huge disappointment. OLED displays can be found on countless laptops, but they cannot be found on any MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. When will Tim Cook and his laptop team offer the new technology? The latest information confirms this delay will be measured in years.
UBI Research reports that Samsung decided to invest in the 8th generation of OLED displays earlier this year, with a view to mass production commencing in the first half of 2026. These displays will be destined for various laptops, tablets, and monitors, which include the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
It’s common practice for Apple to split orders for major components over several suppliers. Samsung Display is generally joined by LG Display and BOE when supplying MacBook displays to Apple. I see no reason why this would not continue for the OLED variants, especially considering LG Display made a similar investment decision to Samsung in April this year to develop its OLED production lines.
Given the schedule for Apple’s major events, an OLED MacBook could see a launch at WWDC 2026; in my opinion, it’s more likely that we’ll see a new presumptively-named M4 chipset announced at that point, followed by a consumer-grade chipset appearing in the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro in late 2026.
That would mean the professionally focused larger macOS laptop will not show up until Apple’s 2027 Q1 launch window.
This matches details from another source: the well-regarded industry analyst Ross Young. Speaking on a webinar organised by Bloomberg, Young stated there would not be an OLED display for any MacBook Pro model until 2026 or 2027 at the earliest. Although Young has discussed the 2026 timeframe previously, this is his first public mention of 2027 as a potential launch date.
All of which is promising for MacBook fans if they are happy to ignore the four-year wait. And, just like the indeterminable wait for a 15-inch laptop display on a consumer MacBook Air, Apple’s geekerati will wonder why they have to suffer as the Windows-powered market offers a wide range of OLED-equipped laptops today.
Now read how Apple will offer the next MacBook with more battery life…
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