MacBook Air to Get More Advanced LCD Panel Before Transition to OLED

Apple plans to release a MacBook Air with an improved LCD display in 2027, featuring Oxide TFT technology instead of the current amorphous silicon (a-Si) panels, according to a new report from The Elec.

macbook air blue green
The new display technology is said to be a significant upgrade over current MacBook Air screens. Oxide TFT LCD panels offer better power efficiency and improved performance compared to traditional a-Si displays, resulting in sharper images, smoother scrolling, and enhanced battery life.

The transition to Oxide TFT technology should also mean faster pixel response times and more consistent brightness across the screen. In practical terms, this should translate to reduced motion blur when watching videos or gaming, and more uniform lighting without the "clouding" effect sometimes visible on current LCD displays.

Samsung Display and BOE are developing manufacturing capabilities for the advanced panels, according to the Korean-language report. Samsung Display is installing new deposition machines at its A6 production line, while BOE is constructing its B16 line with similar capabilities. The companies are preparing to produce millions of units annually, but the exact production targets haven't been disclosed.

The LCD upgrade comes as Apple has reportedly delayed its OLED MacBook Air plans from 2027 to 2029 or later. Meanwhile, development of the OLED MacBook Pro with a thinner design reportedly continues as planned, with that model expected to launch in 2026 with an estimated production of 3 to 5 million units annually.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forum: MacBook Air

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in a Few Months With These 12 New Features

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:00 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Friday June 27, 2025 9:52 am PDT by
Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below. CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot...
apple watch ultra 2 new black

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus

Tuesday June 24, 2025 3:40 am PDT by
Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve). The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with...

Top Rated Comments

JippaLippa Avatar
20 weeks ago
The first macbook air with an oled in 2029 would be ridiculous...
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VaruLV Avatar
20 weeks ago
Sorry but this is good news only for fanboys.
Apple are milking all they can from their customers while competiton uses OLED displays even if they are not tandem tech.
I dont care, leave the old screen tech, no need to pretend that you care about innovation and your customers, Apple, just leave the old LCD and make news when you finally upgrade Macbook Air to OLED sometime in 2030s.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
20 weeks ago

Considering how great the screens are already, it will be interesting to see if the improvements are noticeable.

Apple prioritizes display quality and brightness. There are no 15” OLED screens made that meet the current specs of the displays in Apple’s laptops. There are now some 13” ones (iPad Pro).

My guess is Apple is waiting to transition when there are good (color accuracy, power draw, brightness, etc.) and large enough displays for the larger screen laptops.

Edit: If you don’t believe me, look at the OLED screen specs of any 15-16” laptop can then compare to what’s currently in the MBP, or even MBA. Resolution, color accuracy, power draw, and brightness. See how many match the displays Apple uses. I’ve not yet found one that matches on everything. I’d love to have a link to one that exists though, if you can find it.
This point has been repeated atnauseam, the critics will never accept it.
“ Apple won’t switch to OLED until the panels are actually as reliable as LCD” isn’t as sexy and fun as “ Apple terrible, worst company on the planet, won’t use OLED, total rip-off”.
When the same people will be the first to point out every flaw with an OLED Mac what it actually *does* release.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neuropsychguy Avatar
20 weeks ago
Considering how great the screens are already, it will be interesting to see if the improvements are noticeable.

Apple prioritizes display quality and brightness. There are no 15” OLED screens made that meet the current specs of the displays in Apple’s laptops. There are now some 13” ones (iPad Pro).

My guess is Apple is waiting to transition when there are good (color accuracy, power draw, brightness, etc.) and large enough displays for the larger screen laptops. Should Apple put in screens that are inferior in some ways just because they are OLED?

People saying it's just Apple dragging out the upgrades (which is a possibility) should at least back that up by showing what comparable OLED screens are available at sizes larger than 13".

Edit: If you don’t believe me, spending time doing research into the OLED screen specs of any 15-16” laptop and then compare to what’s currently in the MBP, or even MBA. Compare resolution, color accuracy and color consistency across the display, power draw, brightness, expected lifespan (although realistically OLED should outlast the typical lifespan on a laptop), etc. See how many match the displays Apple uses. I’ve not yet found one that matches on everything.

I’d love to have a link to one that exists, if you can find it, because I've spent some time looking and have not yet found anything comparable.

There are 13" screens that match (iPad Pro), but not larger ones yet. Maybe we'll start to see some this year.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iea96 Avatar
20 weeks ago
I'll be keeping my M1 MBA until an OLED model arrives
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sledgehammer89 Avatar
20 weeks ago
There is a fanless MacBook Air with OLED (without any notch!!). It's called iPad Pro and isn't allowed to run macOS.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)