The rumor suggests that the Apple MacBook Pro OLED will be released in 2026, followed by the MacBook Air
Apple’s MacBook Pro with OLED will be released in 2026, followed by a MacBook Air, we’re told.
That’s the latest in a long line of rumors about Apple’s OLED plans, and it comes from analyst Jeff Pu (of Haitong International Technology Research).
MacRumors obtained an investor memo in which Pu predicted that Apple would release OLED MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models sometime in 2026.
As everyone now expects, Pu also claimed that next in line for an OLED upgrade is the iPad Pro. Apple apparently plans to ship around 10 million units of these tablets in their first year of existence.
The MacBook Air will also have OLED, Pu believes, noting that such a model is in development, but the MacBook Pro should arrive first.
Analysis: Consensus on OLED timeline
In summary, this means that the iPad Pro will get OLED in 2024, the MacBook Pro in 2026 and the MacBook Air perhaps the year after that, in 2027? Although the latter is not made clear.
As mentioned, there is a veritable army of rumors that Apple will launch iPad Pro OLED models next year, and as for MacBook Pro speculation, the idea that these laptops will benefit from OLED in 2026 is being floated by other sources.
Although there have been reports lately of the possibility of that date shifting to 2027 – and when we’re talking about plans stretching out a few years, it’s always possible that things could shift. (Indeed, it’s always possible that Apple will change its mind and take a completely different path – who knows).
The MacBook Air with OLED arriving in 2027 also heralds recent rumors claiming the same – and that several OLED iMac models will arrive later that year, although Pu doesn’t mention this.
So the overall picture is one of formative consistency across Apple’s OLED timeframe, but as mentioned, things could change even if this is the current plan. In short, sprinkle enough herbs on it, but outside of the iPad, it will be a while before OLED comes to Apple laptops.
While OLED monitors are certainly becoming more popular now (and are on our list of the best gaming monitors offering stunning picture quality), concerns about burn-in remain. It’s more of a concern on a PC screen with a lot of constant static elements (on the desktop), as opposed to an OLED TV – and this could perhaps be part of Apple’s caution in terms of how best to manage such hazards be limited.