The MacBook Pro is poised for a fundamental technological leap. After several generations with Mini-LED displays, new reports suggest that Apple will be using OLED panels in its professional notebook for the first time. The timeline is more concrete than previously thought, suggesting a market launch as early as 2026.
This information is based on a report from the Korean website The Elec, which regularly reports on developments in the Asian display and semiconductor industries. The report not only highlights the planned sales launch, but also the supply chain, technical specifications, and internal adjustments at Apple relevant to the upcoming OLED MacBook Pro.
Market launch in the fourth quarter of 2026
According to The Elec, the first MacBook Pro models with OLED displays are expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. This period covers the months of October to December. This would mean Apple would release the new MacBook Pro towards the end of the year, which aligns with the usual release schedule for major Pro updates.
Samsung will start mass production in May 2026
According to the report, the OLED displays are supplied by Samsung Display. Mass production of eighth-generation OLED panels is scheduled to begin there in May 2026. Samsung plans to deliver a total of approximately two million of these displays to Apple by the end of 2026.
Starting in the third quarter of 2026, the finished panels will be sent to Foxconn. There, the displays will be integrated into the final MacBook Pro devices before they are prepared for sale.
BOE remains out of the picture for now
Besides Samsung, the Chinese display manufacturer BOE is also vying for orders from Apple. However, BOE will not be supplying displays for the 2026 OLED MacBook Pro. According to reports, the first devices will be equipped exclusively with OLED panels from Samsung Display. The involvement of other suppliers is not conceivable until later generations at the earliest.
Design changes to reduce production costs
Another point concerns the development of individual components. Some parts of the new MacBook Pro are reportedly still under development. This is because Apple has changed the design of certain parts to reduce manufacturing costs. Despite the technologically more complex OLED display, Apple is apparently trying to control overall production costs. The report does not specify which components have been modified.
Display sizes, M6 chips and a complete redesign
The OLED MacBook Pro is expected to be released in two sizes: with 14-inch and 16-inch displays. It will also feature the new M6 chip series, considered the next generation of Apple's own processors.
The indication of a complete redesign is particularly significant. It would be the first complete overhaul of the MacBook Pro design since 2021. This suggests not only a display upgrade, but possibly also changes to the casing, internal architecture, or thermal design.
OLED, M6 and new design: An overview of the next MacBook Pro
The planned 2026 OLED MacBook Pro represents a clear generational shift. A market launch in the fourth quarter, OLED displays from Samsung Display, the new M6 chip series, and a complete redesign mark one of the biggest steps in the recent history of the MacBook Pro. While some details remain unclear, The Elec report paints a relatively clear picture of Apple's plans for the next Pro notebook. (Image: Shutterstock / SNAB)
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