OLED MacBook Air Could Be Delayed Beyond 2027, Claims Report

[MacRumors]

Apple's plans to release a MacBook Air with an OLED display may face significant delays beyond its original expected 2027 launch window, according to a new report from The Elec.

Industry sources cited by the Korean outlet point to pricing concerns and supply chain challenges as key factors behind the potential delay. The high manufacturing costs associated with OLED displays would substantially increase the MacBook Air's retail price, which risks making it less attractive to consumers.

The MacBook Air is often regarded as the company's most popular Mac model. According to Canalys, Apple's US Mac market share grew by 22% in the first quarter of 2024, a surge that was likely influenced by the introduction of new M3 MacBook Air models.

However, the latest report highlights disappointing OLED iPad Pro sales performance this year as an indicator that switching from LCD to OLED alone is not appealing enough to consumers to justify the increased price. A shipment of around 10 million iPad Pro units was anticipated for 2024, but that figure was revised to 8.5 million earlier in the year and has recently dropped to between 6 and 7 million units. OLED iPad Pro models retail from $999 for the 11-inch model, rising to $1299 for the 13-inch model.

Apple is now said to be seeking lower OLED panel prices for the MacBook Air, but the company has few options in the current supply chain environment. Samsung Display and LG Display provide OLED panels for the iPad Pro, but only Samsung Display is expected to supply panels for an upcoming OLED MacBook Pro, rumored for a 2026 launch. Previous reports have suggested that Samsung Display is developing a 13.3-inch OLED panel for a future ‌MacBook Air‌ model amid Apple's long-term plan to switch all of its product lines to the display technology.

The report goes on to suggest that the OLED MacBook Air will likely use a simpler single-stack OLED configuration, unlike the planned MacBook Pro OLED displays, which will feature a dual-stack design with two emission layers. However, both models will employ hybrid OLED technology combining glass substrates with thin-film encapsulation.

Industry sources suggest Apple and its display partners need to reach a "compromise" that minimizes price increases while maintaining performance standards that differentiate the Air and Pro lineups. Compared to current ‌MacBook Air models with LCD-based screens, benefits of OLED technology would include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, and improved power efficiency for longer battery life.

Article Link: OLED MacBook Air Could Be Delayed Beyond 2027, Claims Report

 

[Anaxarxes]

it's the best selling mac and the price and availability should make sense all together. Until OLED prices AND capacity becomes less stringent, they should not switch if it should mean price increase and lack of availability.

Also, don't think the display of the air is its weak point. 12MP Centerstage cam with M4 and TB4 should be more than enough for the next iteration.

 

[steve09090]

We just don’t need OLED. If people are prioritising OLED over function, they have the wrong priorities imo.

 

[lerschiboi]

I’d take Mini LED in the Air

 

[orbital~debris]

M4 iPad Pro's OLED display is gorgeous, so I am glad Apple's lineup is moving toward total OLED.

The general idea mentioned in the post seems logical – eventual OLED for MacBook Air, joining a more premium version of OLED for MacBook Pro. The degree of 'niceness' of the display allowing for a price difference that clearly delineates the product lines.

 

[capamac]

OLED color degrades over time.

 

[syklee26]

120hz (or even 90hz) should be prioritized.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I wonder what the lifespan of OLED in a computer would be, compared to LCD, as I generally keep my laptops for 7-10 years and even then, they are still usable. My previous laptop, a 2012 MBP, is still in use today, just not by me. I kept a Dell desktop monitor in use for 17 years.

An OLED Air doesn't really interest me over a LCD, but I could easily keep my M1 air until 2027 if it's warranted.

 

[Marty80]

Sadly LED & LCD are dead in a market saturated with OLED pannels. Oled may have deeper blacks, faster pixel refresh rates, and better viewing angles. But at the cost of dead pixels & the burn in.

Don’t get me wrong I love OLED, but its plagued with so many issues. I can see many apple fan boys returning there MacBooks because of a dead pixel or even mere image retention.

As for myself I welcome the screen change and thinner profile as long as they retain the mag safe, SD, & HDMI ports.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

SD Card and HMDI are what MBA is missing. Why? Because people who want a truly practical thin and light have no Mac option and must choose Windows. Apple should offer this, and stop selling MBP in a base M series configuration. MBP should be available as Pro or Max only, like how Mac Studio gets Max or Ultra only. Then Air can have port variety while MBP would remain a standout Pro machine with its professional processor with cooling fans, six-speaker array, high-end screen and three Thunderbolt 5 ports, verses MBA which would have two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one on each side) and baseline chips.

 

[RalfTheDog]

By the time OLED is ready, it will be obsolete and everyone will have moved on to micro LED or possibly something even better. Most of the time, most of my computers have the same images on the screen. It's the same bar with the same icons at the bottom. It's the same menus with the same text at the top. Quite often, it's even the same apps, displaying slightly different data. I will take slightly brighter blacks if my screen does not burn in like Superman's glasses on a day he is suffering from caffeine withdrawal.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

By the time OLED is ready, it will be obsolete and everyone will have moved on to micro LED or possibly something even better. Most of the time, most of my computers have the same images on the screen. It's the same bar with the same icons at the bottom. It's the same menus with the same text at the top. Quite often, it's even the same apps, displaying slightly different data. I will take slightly brighter blacks if my screen does not burn in like Superman's glasses on a day he is suffering from caffeine withdrawal.

Nah, OLED keeps improving yearly and micro-LED will maybe never see the light of day mainstreamed on TVs and large computers.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

The Air doesn’t need OLED. It’s a nice-to-have for general consumers, but it’s going to benefit professionals considerably more - and the current Air panel is actually really nice.

 

[Marty80]

Nah, OLED keeps improving and micro-LED will probable never see the light of day mainstreamed on TVs and large computers.

Micro LED has been shelved: https://www.techradar.com/televisions/oled-beating-micro-led-tv-tech-looks-uncertain-as-lg-and-samsung-wobble-but-hope-is-not-lost-yet#:~:text=Samsung%20has%20delayed%20its%20plans,isn't%20developing%20very%20quickly.

 

[azentropy]

SD Card and HMDI are what MBA is missing. Why? Because people who want a truly practical thin and light have no Mac option and must choose Windows. Apple should offer this, and stop selling MBP in a base M series configuration. MBP should be available as Pro or Max only, like how Mac Studio gets Max or Ultra only. Then Air can have port variety while MBP would remain a standout Pro machine with its professional processor with cooling fans, six-speaker array, high-end screen and three Thunderbolt 5 ports, verses MBA which would have two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one on each side) and baseline chips.

Nah, I'd much rather the flexibility of a 3rd USB-C or thunderbolt port on the opposite side than those legacy slots/ports. You can get an adapter/hub that cost less than $15 that barely weights anything that could give you HDMI and SD readers.

 

[Zest28]

Yet Ultrathin PC laptops with 120hz OLED displays are cheaper than the MacBook Air.

It is simply a “profit margin” issue.

 

[Nismo73]

Obviously. If the Pro is getting it in 26, the Air isn’t gonna get it the same year.

 

[orbital~debris]

OLED color degrades over time.

To what extent, and how much time?

There's a difference between a statement like this being a reflexive response that may be technically true but in practice not a major problem, and a reality that's widely experienced.

I can't say I've heard much to support the latter, and my experience with an LG OLED tv over the last few years also doesn't support it.

 

[steve09090]

To what extent, and how much time?

There's a difference between a statement like this being a reflexive response that may be technically true but in practice not a major problem, and a reality that's widely experienced.

I can't say I've heard much to support the latter, and my experience with an LG OLED tv over the last few years also doesn't support it.

That’s true. OLED will outlast any computer. Certainly there shouldn’t be any issue with a Mac for 10+ years. As a PC only last 3 years before it needs upgrading, it definitely won’t be an issue for them.

 

[zombierunner]

If Apple ran the space program, we'd have never made it to the moon.

 

[JonathanX64]

Of course it is delayed.

Shipping these outdated, low-resolution IPS panels with atrocious contrast, high latency, lack of HDR, and blurry motion is what keeps $AAPL high. They’ll continue doing it as long as they can, just like they did with the 8GB RAM laptops.

Meanwhile, Windows PC users have been enjoying crisp 120Hz 3K OLED displays in thin and light laptops since what, 2021?

 

[kiranmk2]

OLED color degrades over time.

Sadly LED & LCD are dead in a market saturated with OLED pannels. Oled may have deeper blacks, faster pixel refresh rates, and better viewing angles. But at the cost of dead pixels & the burn in.

Don’t get me wrong I love OLED, but its plagued with so many issues. I can see many apple fan boys returning there MacBooks because of a dead pixel or even mere image retention.

As for myself I welcome the screen change and thinner profile as long as they retain the mag safe, SD, & HDMI ports.

OLED degradation issues have largely been overcome via a wide range of approaches (including more stable materials, electronic compensation, tandem stacks, increased aperture ratios). I think the tandem stacks that Apple uses in the iPad Pro (and are also used in car entertainment screens) will extend the lifetime of the panels beyond the useful life of the computer.

However, what is slightly worrying is that the articles states that MacBook Air users will receive single stack OLED screens - these are what most of the OLED monitors / laptops have used up to this point. I would imagine that we will have many years of data on how good these displays work in IT displays by the time an OLED MBA is actually launched.

 

[DarthDon]

QLED! OLED isn't that, what you looking for...

 

[steve09090]

If Apple ran the space program, we'd have never made it to the moon.

You could say the same about any company in the world other than NASA. What’s your point? Other than "For ALL Mankind" they’re never been in the space business.

 

[pksv]

Why not beyond 2030 already?