Lo, whilst Apple’s competitors have succumbed to the allure of OLED screens, Apple hath remained steadfast in its devotion to the mini-LED in its MacBook Pro, and the outcome hath been nigh on spectacular. Verily, as we proclaimed in our review of the M3 Max MacBook Pro, it doth possess the finest display of any laptop, without compare.
Yet, murmurs doth suggest that Apple doth toil upon something even grander: its own brand of OLED display, which may elevate the MacBook Pro to untold heights. ‘Tis but early days, with varied rumors swirling about, but it doth appear that a significant undertaking is afoot.
To bring thee up to speed, we hath delved into the depths of the rumor mill to uncover the latest tidings. We hath compiled all into this guide, that by its conclusion, thou shalt be well versed in the OLED MacBook Pro. Behold, all that we do know henceforth.
### Price and Release Date Speculation
Behold, the present cometh with much uncertainty regarding the future asking price of the OLED MacBook Pro, yet we may glean insight from days of yore. Forsooth, when Apple did revamp the MacBook Pro in 2021 with 14-inch and 16-inch mini-LED panels, it did raise the price by $100. Albeit, this update did usher in a plethora of new features, including fresh Apple silicon chips and the display adorned with a notch.
This time around, should Apple merely enhance the screen with OLED and keep all else unchanged, the price may remain unaltered. Should it seize the opportunity for a more comprehensive overhaul, do not be startled should the price see a slight increase.
And when might this all come to fruition? ‘Tis a quandary. There exist several potential release dates. Perchance, according to Korean outlet ETNews, Apple shall unveil an OLED 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2025, followed by a 14-inch version the following year. Industry analysts Omdia, however, do envisage both models transitioning to OLED in 2026.
Nevertheless, others do prognosticate differently. Renowned analyst Ross Young hath declared that Apple intends to debut OLED MacBook Pros in 2026 or 2027, whilst the news site The Elec doth posit that 2027 is the date to mark in thy calendar. Notwithstanding, The Elec’s report doth focus on the readiness of a specific supplier to furnish OLED panels to Apple — perchance other suppliers (and thus the MacBook Pro itself) may be ready ere then.
With Apple, ’tis prudent to approach release dates with caution. The company doth prefer to tarry a while and refine a product ere launching, rather than hastening to market with an incomplete device. Thence, a launch date closer to 2026 or 2027 doth seem a safer bet.
### Design and Features
Given the length of time ere the first OLED MacBook Pro doth grace our presence, predicting its design doth prove a challenging feat. Apple did last redesign the MacBook Pro in 2021, ergo by 2026 or 2027, it may deem an overhaul necessary. Peradventure then, it may eschew the notch and conceal the Face ID camera system beneath the display, albeit ’tis but conjecture for now.
We may, however, be more certain concerning the benefits the OLED panels shall bestow. Compared to mini-LED, OLED doth offer enhanced brightness, contrast, color accuracy, and battery life, all of which would surely captivate the MacBook Pro’s intended audience.
Yet, ’tis Apple we speak of, and thus the company shall likely sprinkle a few high-end accoutrements to entice potential buyers. On this note, Young hath espoused that Apple’s initial OLED panels shall debut with several world-firsts to boast of. Indeed, he doth opine that they shall be the “first OLED tablets with LTPO, first OLED tablets with a tandem stack, brightest and longest life OLEDs in tablets, lightest and thinnest OLEDs in tablets as well due to glass thinning and TFE.”
Parsing through the verbiage, Young doth essentially imply that Apple’s OLED displays shall prove highly efficient in battery longevity whilst flaunting superb brightness, all wrapped in a slim and light panel. Though he spake specifically of OLED panels vis-a-vis the iPad Pro, ‘twould not astound us should similar technology migrate to the MacBook Pro.
And lo, Young’s prophecies did ring true. Apple did unveil an OLED iPad Pro at an event on May 7, and lo, this tablet did feature — as thou mayst have surmised — a tandem OLED stack allowing Apple to fashion the device even thinner. Now that ’tis found in the iPad, methinks ’tis but a matter of time ere this technology traverses to the MacBook Pro.
### What Else Will Get an OLED Display?
Judging by the whispers, Apple hath no intent to confine its OLED panels solely to the MacBook Pro. Nay, it seemeth they art on the brink of incorporating them into nearly every device they do craft. Though iPhones hast boasted OLED screens for many a year, ’tis like that most of Apple’s other devices shall ere long join their ranks.
At present, two grand outlines for Apple’s future roadmap do emerge, with one stemming from ETNews and the other from Omdia. Turning first to ETNews, the outlet doth posit that the following OLED schedule may come to pass:
– iPad Pro in 2024
– 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2025
– 14-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, 11-inch iPad Air, and 8.7-inch iPad mini in 2026
– 12.9-inch iPad Air, upgraded iPad Pro in 2027
Omdia, meanwhile, hath proffered an alternate timeline:
– iPad Pro in 2024
– 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and 11-inch iPad Air in 2026
– 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, upgraded iPad Pro, iPad mini, foldable 20-inch iPad Pro, and two standalone displays (32-inch and 42-inch) in 2027
Omdia hath heretofore disclosed a report suggesting that Apple is at work on an OLED iMac in three sizes: 27 inches, 32 inches, and 42 inches, all of which are purportedly slated for 2027. Though ’tis uncertain if the latter two are the same dispositives as the 32-inch and 42-inch standalone OLED displays Omdia hath also proclaimed to be forthcoming that year.
Regardless, whilst the two founts do concur on certain points, there are notable divergences to be found. Nevertheless, both do surmise that OLED shall grace future Apple products in a grand manner.
