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MacBook Air to Get More Advanced LCD Panel Before Transition to OLED

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Apple plans to release a MacBook Air with an improved LCD display in 2027, featuring Oxide TFT technology instead of the current amorphous silicon (a-Si) panels, according to a new report from The Elec.

macbook-air-blue-green.jpg

The new display technology is said to be a significant upgrade over current MacBook Air screens. Oxide TFT LCD panels offer better power efficiency and improved performance compared to traditional a-Si displays, resulting in sharper images, smoother scrolling, and enhanced battery life.

The transition to Oxide TFT technology should also mean faster pixel response times and more consistent brightness across the screen. In practical terms, this should translate to reduced motion blur when watching videos or gaming, and more uniform lighting without the "clouding" effect sometimes visible on current LCD displays.

Samsung Display and BOE are developing manufacturing capabilities for the advanced panels, according to the Korean-language report. Samsung Display is installing new deposition machines at its A6 production line, while BOE is constructing its B16 line with similar capabilities. The companies are preparing to produce millions of units annually, but the exact production targets haven't been disclosed.

The LCD upgrade comes as Apple has reportedly delayed its OLED MacBook Air plans from 2027 to 2029 or later. Meanwhile, development of the OLED MacBook Pro with a thinner design reportedly continues as planned, with that model expected to launch in 2026 with an estimated production of 3 to 5 million units annually.

Article Link: MacBook Air to Get More Advanced LCD Panel Before Transition to OLED
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/11/macbook-air-advanced-lcd-panel-adoption-2027/
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I've been in the MacBook Air camp for quite a few years now with no regrets. But a thin and sleek OLED model would very likely tempt be back to the Pro!
 
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Sorry but this is good news only for fanboys.
Apple are milking all they can from their customers while competiton uses OLED displays even if they are not tandem tech.
I dont care, leave the old screen tech, no need to pretend that you care about innovation and your customers, Apple, just leave the old LCD and make news when you finally upgrade Macbook Air to OLED sometime in 2030s.
 
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Any improvements are welcome here. The Retina display debut in the iPhone 4 and 2012 Retina MacBook Pro were at a time when Apple set the industry standard in this area. Now, with finance calling all the shots, they chase old tech in this area to protect their margins. Products are still great regardless, but not the best they can do with staggerring ideologies.
 
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Considering how great the screens are already, it will be interesting to see if the improvements are noticeable.

Apple prioritizes display quality and brightness. There are no 15” OLED screens made that meet the current specs of the displays in Apple’s laptops. There are now some 13” ones (iPad Pro).

My guess is Apple is waiting to transition when there are good (color accuracy, power draw, brightness, etc.) and large enough displays for the larger screen laptops. Should Apple put in screens that are inferior in some ways just because they are OLED?

People saying it's just Apple dragging out the upgrades (which is a possibility) should at least back that up by showing what comparable OLED screens are available at sizes larger than 13".

Edit: If you don’t believe me, spending time doing research into the OLED screen specs of any 15-16” laptop and then compare to what’s currently in the MBP, or even MBA. Compare resolution, color accuracy and color consistency across the display, power draw, brightness, expected lifespan (although realistically OLED should outlast the typical lifespan on a laptop), etc. See how many match the displays Apple uses. I’ve not yet found one that matches on everything.

I’d love to have a link to one that exists, if you can find it, because I've spent some time looking and have not yet found anything comparable.

There are 13" screens that match (iPad Pro), but not larger ones yet. Maybe we'll start to see some this year.
 
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dampfnudel said:
Hopefully it lasts that long.
Click to expand...
I don’t see why not, M1 is still a very fast processor (benchmarks about equal with 12th gen Intel i5’s). The battery life was insane when new so even if it’s at 3/4 capacity or so it’ll still give better battery life than many brand new Wintel laptops shipping today. Given they went with the air it’s unlikely they got it for incredibly demanding tasks anyway.
 
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neuropsychguy said:
Considering how great the screens are already, it will be interesting to see if the improvements are noticeable.

Apple prioritizes display quality and brightness. There are no 15” OLED screens made that meet the current specs of the displays in Apple’s laptops. There are now some 13” ones (iPad Pro).

My guess is Apple is waiting to transition when there are good (color accuracy, power draw, brightness, etc.) and large enough displays for the larger screen laptops.

Edit: If you don’t believe me, look at the OLED screen specs of any 15-16” laptop can then compare to what’s currently in the MBP, or even MBA. Resolution, color accuracy, power draw, and brightness. See how many match the displays Apple uses. I’ve not yet found one that matches on everything. I’d love to have a link to one that exists though, if you can find it.
Click to expand...
This point has been repeated atnauseam, the critics will never accept it.
“ Apple won’t switch to OLED until the panels are actually as reliable as LCD” isn’t as sexy and fun as “ Apple terrible, worst company on the planet, won’t use OLED, total rip-off”.
When the same people will be the first to point out every flaw with an OLED Mac what it actually *does* release.
 
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I remember back in 2015 I left the Macbook Air camp to Macbook Pro because the screen was much nicer. Returned to the ultraportable in 2022.

Seems history will start repeating itself come 2026.
 
OK, I'm waiting for the OLED for next MBA.
My 2024 will be good until then

2027-2029 or later - sounds good, if not later is 2040 😂
Who knows what I buy next for that matter - I might satisfy with only 1 Mac (MacBook Pro) at that time. Much can happen to that time. I'm good now though.
 
VaruLV said:
Sorry but this is good news only for fanboys.
Apple are milking all they can from their customers while competiton uses OLED displays even if they are not tandem tech.
I dont care, leave the old screen tech, no need to pretend that you care about innovation and your customers, Apple, just leave the old LCD and make news when you finally upgrade Macbook Air to OLED sometime in 2030s.
Click to expand...

Nah, this is great news!

OLED has major drawbacks including flickering/PWM, color consistency, long term reliability, etc.

The only advantages OLED provides is in true blacks and being thin/flexible.
 
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SpotOnT said:
Nah, this is great news!

OLED has major drawbacks including flickering/PWM, color consistency, long term reliability, etc.

The only advantages OLED provides is in true blacks and being thin/flexible.
Click to expand...
With proper implementation, no it doesn’t. It’s a mature tech now. Why aren’t people complaining about iPhone and iPad Pro screens then?
 
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JippaLippa said:
The first macbook air with an oled in 2029 would be ridiculous...
Click to expand...
But totally in keeping with Apple's policy of (very slowly) dripping features slowly from Pro down to consumer tiers...

Lounge vibes 05 said:
This point has been repeated atnauseam, the critics will never accept it.
“ Apple won’t switch to OLED until the panels are actually as reliable as LCD” isn’t as sexy and fun as “ Apple terrible, worst company on the planet, won’t use OLED, total rip-off”.
When the same people will be the first to point out every flaw with an OLED Mac what it actually *does* release.
Click to expand...
Apple has already switched to this OLED tech in the latest iPad Pro, so clearly they are already happy with the reliability of a 13" tandem OLED panel, so I'm not sure that argument holds up.
 
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