Key Takeaways
1. Samsung Display will start mass production of OLED screens for Apple MacBook Pro laptops in Q3 2026, confirming a potential Q4 launch.
2. Both 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will feature OLED screens with a built-in touchscreen and enhanced M6 processing power.
3. Small production runs of OLED panels will begin in Q2 2026 using Samsung’s A6 production line, transitioning from LCD to OLED.
4. Apple is expected to order around half a million OLED MacBook Pros by the end of 2026, with total orders possibly reaching three million units.
5. The first OLED MacBook Pros may be released about a year after the 2025 lineup, with potential price increases due to M5 chip upgrades and OLED technology.
The CEO of Samsung Display has officially announced when the first Apple MacBook Pro laptops featuring OLED screen panels will be available.
Dual Production Plans
Samsung is reportedly preparing to manufacture both 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro OLED screens, which are expected to include a built-in touchscreen layer and enhanced M6 processing power. Lee Cheong, from Samsung, shared this information with reporters at a display conference in Seoul, stating that mass production of the new 8.6-gen OLED line is set to kick off in the third quarter of 2026. This indirectly confirms speculations about a Q4 launch for the initial MacBook Pro equipped with OLED screens.
Production Timeline
While Samsung will begin small production runs of the OLED panels for the MacBook Pro in the second quarter, they will use their A6 production line, which has been adjusted to produce OLED screens instead of LCDs. The 8.6G line, designed for glass substrates measuring 2290 x 2620 mm, is deemed most appropriate for creating OLED screens for mid-sized electronic devices like laptops. With the ramp-up in production anticipated in the third quarter of 2026, Samsung, which is Apple’s sole supplier for MacBook Pro OLED displays, is preparing for a release in the holiday quarter.
Anticipated Orders
“We are looking forward to” Apple’s orders, remarked Lee Cheong, although he didn’t provide details on whether this timing aligns with the launch of Apple’s foldable iPhone, which will also feature a flexible panel produced by Samsung. Industry analysts predict that Apple aims to ship around half a million OLED MacBook Pros by the end of 2026, with total orders potentially reaching three million units, contingent on the pricing of Samsung’s 14-inch and 16-inch OLED panels.
At present, a MacBook Pro equipped with an M4 processor is priced at $1,399, thanks to discounts on Amazon. However, the anticipated upgrade to an M5 chip might not keep the price that low, especially for a model featuring an OLED screen. Apple is expected to refresh the Pro model with M5 processors either next quarter or early in 2026, meaning the first MacBooks with OLED displays could arrive approximately a year after the 2025 lineup.
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