MacBook Pro With OLED Display 'Highly Likely' to Be Launched by Apple in 2026: Report

Apple Expected to Release MacBook Pro Featuring OLED Display in 2026: Report

According to a report, it is highly probable that Apple will introduce a MacBook Pro with an OLED display in 2026.

An Omdia report suggests that Apple might launch a MacBook Pro equipped with an OLED screen within the next couple of years, citing a projected surge in demand for OLED displays throughout the current decade. Despite integrating its most powerful Apple Silicon processors into its Pro lineup for several years, Apple has yet to introduce a MacBook featuring an OLED screen, known for offering superior picture quality albeit at a higher cost compared to LCD panels.

According to Omdia's Display long-term demand forecast tracker, the utilization of OLED panels in high-end laptops and tablets by various brands is anticipated to drive a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37 percent in demand for these displays between 2023 and 2031.

Senior Principal Analyst Ricky Park from the research firm anticipates that Apple's rumored MacBook Pro model with an OLED screen could debut in approximately two years. Park asserts, "Apple is highly likely to integrate OLED technology into its MacBook Pro series as early as 2026," and predicts that OLED panel demand could soar to 60 million units by 2031.

Omdia's report underscores how display component suppliers like BOE (Jingdongfang) and Samsung Display are already investing in G8.6 OLED fabrication technology to capitalize on the growing demand for OLED panels. Mass production of these panels is anticipated to commence by 2026 or 2027. Additionally, Visionox is also expected to develop similar production capabilities.

iPad Pro (2024) Expected to Drive Tablet OLED Demand

According to a recent report, Apple plans to ship over 9 million units of the newly launched iPad Pro (2024), the company's first tablet featuring an OLED screen. This anticipated demand for the Ultra Retina XDR OLED-equipped iPad Pro is projected to increase tablet OLED demand up to three times higher than in 2023, as per Omdia's analysis.

The research firm also anticipates that the speculated introduction of OLED screens on upcoming iPad Air and iPad Mini models will not only prompt competitors to adopt OLED screens in more tablets but also lead to a surge in demand for these panels, potentially surpassing the 30-million-unit mark by 2029.