Apple is working on fundamentally changing the MacBook Air in the coming years. According to well-known Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the Air series will get an OLED display starting in 2028. This continues a larger strategy that Apple began with the iPad Pro. The goal is to improve image quality, increase energy efficiency, and extend battery life.
The MacBook Air has been one of Apple's most popular notebooks for years. Switching from LCD to OLED technology is expected to give the device a significantly better display. According to Gurman, Apple plans to implement this change as part of a comprehensive OLED upgrade for iPads and MacBooks. While OLED technology is more expensive, it offers a number of advantages: deeper blacks, richer colors, lower power consumption, and an overall slimmer design.
Apple's OLED plan
In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman describes Apple's plan to transition several devices to OLED displays by 2028. The transition will begin with the iPad mini, followed by the MacBook Pro, iPad Air, and finally the MacBook Air. This strategy indicates that Apple is initially testing the technology in higher-priced devices before rolling it out to a wider product line. However, OLED is not expected in the more affordable iPad models, which are slated to continue using LCD.
OLED in the MacBook Pro as a precursor
The MacBook Pro will be the next major step on the road to the OLED MacBook Air. According to Gurman and renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Pro model is expected to receive an OLED display as early as its next redesign, possibly at the end of 2026. Touchscreen functionality is also rumored – a first for Apple notebooks. This new display technology in the Pro model is likely to pave the way for its later introduction in the MacBook Air.
Chips and schedule
Before the OLED update, the MacBook Air is expected to receive an update with M5 chips early next year. If Apple maintains its annual upgrade cycle, the first OLED MacBook Air should be equipped with an M7 chip. According to Gurman, Apple is already working on the first designs for the new Air model with an OLED screen.
Advantages of OLED for the MacBook Air
The switch to OLED brings several tangible improvements. The displays can show significantly brighter images and offer deeper blacks with higher contrast. Since each pixel is self-illuminating, no backlighting is needed, which increases energy efficiency. This has a positive impact on battery life – a crucial factor for a lightweight notebook like the MacBook Air. At the same time, OLED panels allow for an even thinner and lighter chassis without compromising image quality.
Significance for the MacBook series
With the introduction of OLED in the MacBook Air, Apple is taking the step of offering high-quality display technology in its lighter and more affordable notebooks. The Air model will thus be visually and technically closer to the MacBook Pro, while retaining its focus on portability and efficiency. The switch to OLED is a logical step in Apple's long-term display strategy and indicates that the MacBook line will be even more strongly focused on energy efficiency and visual quality in the future.
A new chapter for the MacBook Air begins with OLED.
The planned OLED MacBook Air represents the next major leap forward in Apple's notebook development. After years with LCD panels, the switch to OLED is expected in 2028 – brighter, with higher contrast, and more energy-efficient. With the combination of the M7 chip and an OLED display, the MacBook Air could become one of the most advanced and efficient devices in Apple's portfolio. The technology, already used in the iPad Pro, will soon give the lightweight MacBooks a noticeable boost in quality. (Image: Shutterstock / encierro)
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