Expect 2026 to be a huge year for OLED MacBook and iPad

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Apple intends to introduce its first MacBooks with an OLED screen in 2026, according to industry analysts. And the iPad mini will allegedly go OLED that same year. Apple’s full transition to OLED will take until 2028, though.

And that’s supposedly the same year the company will introduce a computer with an 18.8-inch foldable display.

OLED MacBook Pro and iPad mini in 2026

MacBook Pro models currently use mini-LED displays, which are LCDs augmented with thousands of tiny LEDs as backlights that can illuminate very specific areas of the screen. In contrast, MacBook Air models have less expensive LCDs with traditional backlights.

But Apple is in the process of transitioning its devices to OLED (short for organic light-emitting diode), in which each pixel glows on its own. The result is a bright, even image with strong contrast. This type of screen looks so good, it’s already used for iPhone and Apple Watch. And the most recent M4 iPad Pro has one, too.

An Apple product roadmap prepared by Omdia analysts predicts that both the 16.3-inch and 14.3-inch MacBook Pro will move to OLED in 2026. That falls in line with previous rumors. Omdia also predicts that an iPad mini with an 8.4-inch screen will debut the same year. Again, earlier reports indicated the same.

2027 and beyond

While 2026 could be significant in Apple’s transition away from traditional LEDs, some macOS and iPadOS computers will need to wait longer.

For instance, Apple’s midrange iPad Air tablet will get upgraded to OLED in 2027, according to Omdia’s prediction. And we supposedly will wait until 2028 for OLED versions of the 15.5-inch and 13.8-inch MacBook Air to reach consumers.

MacBook with folding screen

Also on Omdia’s predicted Apple product roadmap sits an 18.8-inch computer with a folding display. This computer has been the topic of previous rumors, but with the project release date slipping back regularly. The latest estimate is a launch in 2028 — more than three years away.

Details on the device remain sketchy. Omdia describes it as a “Tablet/Note PC/Monitor,” which makes it seem like a sort of iPad and MacBook hybrid.

Via: MacRumors