Apple’s OLED MacBook could arrive as soon as next year

Apple is reportedly working on its first OLED MacBook – and analysts predict it could arrive as early as next year. 

The news comes by way of reliable tipster Ming-Chi Kuo, who claims in a new Twitter thread (opens in new tab) that the greater design freedom afforded by OLED display technology “has caused Apple to plan to ship the OLED MacBook by the end of 2024 at the earliest.” 

Apple currently uses mini-LED panels in its MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) and MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) laptops, but Kuo believes the company’s switch to OLED panels will fuel a “surge” in OLED laptop sales over the coming years. 

Why is Apple keen to transition to OLED? For one, OLED panels are thinner and lighter than their mini-LED counterparts, which gives manufacturers the freedom to create sleeker laptop designs. They’re also a more appropriate option for foldable displays – and previous rumors (opens in new tab) have hinted that Apple is already hard at work on a foldable 20-inch MacBook.

This isn’t the first time Kuo has speculated about the development of an OLED MacBook; both he and fellow analyst Ross Young have hinted at the prospect before. But Kuo has never made mention of a time frame until now, and his “end of 2024” suggestion marries up with Young’s own prediction as to when this mysterious OLED MacBook could arrive. 

Neither Kuo nor Young claims to know whether Apple’s in-development MacBook is a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, although the latter has stated that the laptop will use a technique called “tandem stack,” which could decrease its power consumption by up to 30%, increase its brightness, and extend its lifespan. 

A display of evolution

Ironically, Apple looks set to begin moving away from OLED technology in its pocket-sized product categories. According to new rumors, the tech giant is committed to bringing micro-LED display technology to future iPhone and Apple Watch models.

Per a report by Bloomberg’s resident Apple expert Mark Gurman: “The next-generation [Apple Watch displays] are designed to offer brighter, more vibrant colors and the ability to be better seen at an angle. The displays make content appear like it’s painted on top of the glass, according to people who have seen them, who asked not to be identified because the project is still under wraps.” 

In other words, the next Apple Watch Ultra (and, as Gurman suggests, future iPhones) will be seriously, seriously bright. It makes sense, then, that Apple could be looking to introduce an OLED MacBook around the same time as its first micro-LED-equipped Apple Watch.