Apple’s next big upgrade for the MacBook Pro lineup is an OLED display, potentially similar to the ones on the M4 and M5 iPad Pro models. The machines were expected to be delayed closer to 2027, but it appears that the display side of the supply chain is making real progress.
OLED MacBook Pro Panel Production Has Reportedly Cleared A Major Hurdle
According to The Elec, Samsung Display has reportedly achieved yields above 90 percent on its Gen 8.6 OLED production line, with some individual stages reaching up to 95 percent. This is as strong as it gets when it comes to mass production, and it is a big deal because larger OLED panels are harder to manufacture than phone displays.
Samsung could reportedly begin shipping OLED laptop panels through the supply chain as early as June, with around 2 million units expected this year. These panels are believed to be headed for future 14-inch and 16-inch models of the MacBook Pro, marking one of Apple’s biggest MacBook display changes in years. It remains to be seen if the company will rename the MacBook Pro to MacBook Ultra and increase its price or would it stick with the ‘Pro’.
A Delayed Launch Would Not Mean The OLED MacBook Pro Is In Trouble
It was previously reported that the OLED MacBook Pro would launch in the late 2026 to early 2027 window, but early 2027 now appears more likely due to the global chip shortage. This means that the OLED displays may be on track even if the finished MacBook Pro arrives later than some users hoped.
If you are not familiar, the future MacBook Pro models are expected to use brighter tandem two-stack OLED technology, similar to the OLED iPad Pro, along with oxide TFT backplanes for improved battery life and hybrid encapsulation for moisture protection. Samsung began investing in its Gen 8.6 IT OLED line back in 2023 and is currently running one of two planned lines, with the second line available if demand for the machines grows over time.
The bigger upgrade may not stop at OLED either, as Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pro models are also rumored to bring touchscreen support for the very first time, which would make this more than a simple display refresh. We also expect that the company will introduce some sort of chassis variation as well, probably making the machine slimmer than the current models. Do take the news with a grain of salt though, as the final word rests with Apple.
In short, the launch may still lean toward 2027, but if this report is accurate, the OLED MacBook Pro screen production itself is not the part holding Apple back. Let us know in the comments why you think the OLED MacBook Pro models are being pushed back to 2027.
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