OLED MacBook Pro With Thinner Design on Track for 2026 Launch

[MacRumors]

Apple's first OLED MacBook Pro remains on schedule for a 2026 release, featuring the new slimmer design Apple is rumored to be working on, based on a new report from The Elec.

Samsung Display is said to be currently producing test samples of the OLED panels on its first deposition machine, which was installed in November 2024. However, industry projections estimate just 3 to 5 million OLED panels to be shipped annually for the MacBook Pro. Given that the supplier's IT 8th-generation OLED line is designed to produce 10 million units annually (based on 14.3-inch OLED panels), the company will need to secure additional customers to maximize its production efficiency.

Previous rumors have similarly claimed the MacBook Pro will switch to OLED display technology as early as 2026. The upcoming MacBook Pro will utilize hybrid OLED technology, similar to that used in Apple's latest iPad Pro. This display technology combines a glass substrate with thin-film encapsulation, offering improved brightness, contrast, and power efficiency compared to current MacBook Pro models with mini-LED screens.

Samsung Display has reportedly invested approximately $3 billion in its IT 8th-generation OLED production line for the laptop-sized panels. Chinese display maker BOE is also developing manufacturing capabilities for hybrid OLED panels, though its production line will be more versatile, capable of producing both hybrid and flexible OLED displays.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and display industry analyst Ross Young both recently predicted that the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro will continue to have mini-LED displays in 2025. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects only a small performance boost for the 2025 MacBook Pro models, with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips that are "already near completion."

• 5 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's MacBook Pro

Gurman has previously reported that Apple is working to make the OLED MacBook Pro significantly thinner, as part of the company's plan to create "the thinnest and lightest products in their categories across the whole tech industry." Indeed, the reporter has said there's a good chance that the 2026 MacBook Pro model will represent a "true overhaul" for the laptop, thanks to the combination of the OLED display and thinner design.

Article Link: OLED MacBook Pro With Thinner Design on Track for 2026 Launch

 

[Slaw]

Do we need thinner MacBooks? They are thin enough.

 

[ThailandToo]

As long as battery life stays where it is, this would be great! Don’t want it if it means we get less battery life.

 

[Dulcimer]

I would welcome OLED and a bit thinner MBPs. Current design was a nice return to function over form (after the complete disaster that was the 2016-2019 MBPs) but they are a bit on the bigger side.

OLED, slightly thinner, smaller/no notch, smaller bezels would all be nice.

 

[MayaUser]

So they have confidence on the upcoming M6 "2nm"

 

[Macbookey]

Please don’t rob us of great battery life, ports, and a workable keyboard. Recycling the Steve-less Ives era is the last thing anyone wants. The state of Mac hardware has been ascending and let’s keep it that way. Dynamic Island with software imagination to replace the notch would be nice too. Please keep the space black or midnight option coming, for those that like a darker option.

 

[ISignedUpToAskThis]

What about burn in?

As an OLED tv owner, there's always a risk even if you have the latest panel tech from LG/Samsung etc. Yes the risk might be tiny compared to earlier OLED panels, but with computers frequently displaying static images for longer than a TV, it's going to be a problem for some users.

Yes you can get lucky, there are people who have used OLED tvs as monitors and had no issues, but I've also seen a lot of people even with newer OLEDS suffer burn in.

Unless Samsung have somehow completely eliminated the problem with their OLED laptop screens, it's going to be a worry dropping $2500-$4000+ on one. And I don't think Apple would cover it with AppleCare either.

 

[macjaffa]

What about burn in?

As an OLED tv owner, there's always a risk even if you have the latest panel tech from LG/Samsung etc. Yes the risk might be tiny compared to earlier OLED panels, but with computers frequently displaying static images for longer than a TV, it's going to be a problem for some users.

Yes you can get lucky, there are people who have used OLED tvs as monitors and had no issues, but I've also seen a lot of people even with newer OLEDS suffer burn in.

Unless Samsung have somehow completely eliminated the problem with their OLED laptop screens, it's going to be a worry dropping $2500-$4000+ on one. And I don't think Apple would cover it with AppleCare either.

Burn in- so what?

 

[Prabas]

How are Macs so out dated when it comes to screen? Most laptops and a lot of cheap ones have OLED options while Macs only may get them in 2026? I really wanted to get MBA but no OLED and 60Hz is just not cutting. All my iPhones, iPads, other monitors are at least 120Hz and Mac? 60Hz LED. No way.

 

[JohnRckr]

Meanwhile Windows laptops are on OLED since 2020

 

[ISignedUpToAskThis]

Burn in- so what?

Er...it's bad and affects the screen?

 

[JippaLippa]

People welcomed apple for returning to a thichker, but better design...
Now they're getting back to thinner designs.
I want space for cooling and a bigger battery, apple!

 

[toto75]

How are Macs so out dated when it comes to screen? Most laptops and a lot of cheap ones have OLED options while Macs only may get them in 2026? I really wanted to get MBA but no OLED and 60Hz is just not cutting. All my iPhones, iPads, other monitors are at least 120Hz and Mac? 60Hz LED. No way.

Meanwhile Windows laptops are on OLED since 2020

Thanks, but until burn-in issues are resolved, it better stay off my Mac

 

[MayaUser]

Meanwhile Windows laptops are on OLED since 2020

with poor oled and anti-reflectivity tech inside

 

[Reason077]

Do we need thinner MacBooks? They are thin enough.

The Airs are pretty thin, but recent MacBook Pros have been getting a little chunky. They need to eat healthier, get more excercise, or maybe try Ozempic.

 

[.wojtek]

Oh FFS... again with stupid "super thin" mentality? that only caused issues? And I basically waited 10 years to upgrade MBP to something sane while pondering windows alternatives?

Just drop the notch, make webcam better and at the best make it only slightly thinner but ONLY IF POSSIBLE without making any compromises to cooling / battery and ports!

 

[.wojtek]

The Airs are pretty thin, but recent MacBook Pros have been getting a little chunky. They need to eat healthier, get more excercise, or maybe try Ozempic.

if someone needs super thin they can get Air? MBP is for work...

 

[Big_D]

Do we need thinner MacBooks? They are thin enough.

I agree, but only because my MacBook Pro M4 Pro is only 2 weeks old! 🤣🤣🤣

If only I had waited until 2026... Or maybe the 2027 model will be even better... I was interested in an Air, but gave up waiting for the M4 Air for private use. I'll probably get an M4 Air for work though.

 

[Kylo83]

Can’t wait to upgrade from the M1 Max 5 years is a good cycle. Every MacBook Pro since m1 hasn’t been worth it

 

[HouseLannister]

So two years after the OLED iPad Pro? The iPP and MBP got miniLED the same year, so this doesn’t feel “on track.”

 

[thefrost]

Thinner to thicker to thinner. Interesting.

 

[Kylo83]

just remove the dam notch

 

[randomgeeza]

Here we go again...

 

[familychoice]

just remove the dam notch

I thought the notch would bother me, coming from an Intel 16" MBP to the new M4 Pro 14", but it doesn't at all. In fact now when I'm on the old Intel (like now), the notchless blank space at the top looks a bit weird!

 

[JohnRckr]

with poor oled and anti-reflectivity tech inside

And you expect the best display on Apple device because why? It is Apple?