Apple is considering a totally new 13.8-inch OLED MacBook model for 2029, which would possibly sit in the MacBook lineup between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, according to research firm Omdia.
According to Omdia’s latest forecast, Apple’s display product roadmap will iclude a new 13.8-inch MacBook product line positioned between the MacBook Air (LCD) and MacBook Pro (OLED), this product will fully adopt next-generation OLED technology, including LTPO+ back panel, TOE (Touch Sensor on Encapsulation), UPC (Under Panel Camera), COE (Color Filter on Encapsulation), and FMP (Flex Magic Pixel).
The firm’s latest roadmap shows a new 13.8-inch MacBook sitting between the projected timeline for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The new model’s display is said to use a single-stack hybrid OLED panel, rather than the more sophisticated tandem OLED technology that is expected in the upcoming OLED MacBook Pro models, which are expected to launch late this year or early next year.
A June report from ZDNet Korea said Apple had queried Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE for information regarding a 13.8-inch OLED MacBook panel earlier this year. While it is still too early to know which display manufacturer will provide the panels for the new MacBook, Omdia believes the new product will become an improtant MacBook model.
Notably, the MacBook Air line is shown as continuing to use LCD displays into 2030.
As is true for any report of this type, Apple could change its plans, and Omdia itself warns that its roadmap is based on current market expectations, and could be adjusted at any time according to OLED manufacturing capacity, component costs, and Apple’s wider product strategy.