Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce its first MacBook Pro with an OLED display, targeting a launch between late 2026 and early 2027.
Highlights
- OLED Debut: Apple’s first OLED MacBook Pro is expected between late 2026 and early 2027, launching with the new M6 chip.
- Display Upgrade: OLED will replace mini-LED, offering deeper blacks, higher contrast, thinner builds, and improved portability.
- Samsung Supply: Samsung Display will produce OLED panels using Gen 8.6 oxide TFT tech for better efficiency and lower costs.
- Design Refresh: May drop the notch for a hole-punch camera or Dynamic Island, enhancing macOS UI integration.
- Next-Gen Chip: M6, built on TSMC’s 2nm process, will bring faster performance and improved battery efficiency, with Pro and Max versions.
- Release Sequence: M5 MacBook Pro expected in 2025 (possibly delayed to 2026) before the OLED M6 model arrives.
- Supply Chain Shift: BOE could join as a second OLED supplier if it meets Apple’s quality standards.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the model will also debut Apple’s next-generation M6 chip, marking an upgrade in both display and processing technology for the company’s flagship laptops.
Transition to OLED
The move to OLED would replace the mini-LED panels currently used in high-end MacBook Pro models. OLED displays offer deeper blacks, higher contrast, and potentially thinner designs.
Industry analysts suggest this transition could appeal to users looking for both visual improvements and more portable designs.
Samsung Display is expected to supply the OLED panels, using its Gen 8.6 production lines with oxide TFT technology. This manufacturing approach supports larger substrates, lowers power consumption, and reduces production costs, enabling large-scale production for Apple’s laptops.
Design and Interface Updates
Reports indicate the OLED MacBook Pro may move away from the traditional notch, adopting a hole-punch camera or integrating Apple’s Dynamic Island feature for the first time on a Mac.
This change could complement macOS features such as Live Activities by offering a more dynamic and adaptable interface component.
Chip Strategy and Manufacturing
The M6 chip is expected to be the first in Apple’s lineup manufactured on TSMC’s 2 nm process, bringing improvements in performance and energy efficiency. Variants like the M6 Pro and M6 Max are anticipated for both 14-inch and 16-inch configurations.
Before the M6 model arrives, Apple is expected to release a MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip in early 2025. That version is said to retain the design introduced in 2021. A MacBook Air refresh is also expected in early 2026, alongside updated iPad Air models and an entry-level iPad.
Launch Timeline
Industry sources suggest the M5 MacBook Pro could be delayed to spring 2026. Such a shift might push the OLED M6 model’s debut to early 2027. Analysts note this change could be part of Apple’s strategy to create clear differentiation between models and avoid overlapping product cycles.
Currently, Samsung is the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for the MacBook Pro. BOE, a major Chinese display manufacturer, is reportedly working to meet Apple’s quality requirements for future iPad OLED panels.
If approved, BOE’s involvement could introduce competition and potentially lower costs.
