Apple has big things planned for the MacBook line and the OLED MacBook Pro is coming in 2026. This one will be a big change, no more notch at the top of the screen. But MacBook Air fans will have to wait longer for similar upgrades as the OLED Air isn’t coming until 2028 and even then it won’t have all the features the Pro model will have.
OLED Timeline: MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air
Omdia has Apple’s display upgrade roadmap through 2030 and it shows which products will get OLED first. The MacBook Pro will lead the way with the OLED version coming two years before the Air. The Pro will get a hole-punch display, no more notch. The Air will keep the notch, but it might be slightly smaller.
This delay and differentiation is Apple’s way of keeping the Pro models ahead in design and performance. The OLED upgrade will bring deeper blacks, better contrast ratios and better power efficiency. But the Air’s notch and other limitations will keep it below the Pro in the product stack.
What’s Special About the OLED MacBook Pro?
Apple removing the notch from the MacBook Pro is part of a bigger trend to refine its premium products. The OLED Pro will have a hole-punch display, which is what Apple is doing with all its modern devices.
This makes it look better and also makes the Pro model more distinct from the Air. By offering the notch-free design first, Apple is making the MacBook Pro the device of choice for those who want the latest and greatest.
MacBook Air Future
The OLED Air won’t come until 2028 but it will still be a big upgrade over the current LCD models. The OLED display will have deeper blacks, better color accuracy and better power efficiency so it will be a great device for everyday users.
But Apple’s strategy to delay the hole-punch display for the Air model means the Pro will still be ahead. This staggered approach allows Apple to keep the high-end and mid-range products separate.
OLED Coming to iPads
Apple’s OLED upgrade isn’t just for MacBooks. The iPad mini 8 will get an OLED display in 2026 and the iPad Air in 2027. More evidence Apple is upgrading its whole product line with better displays over the next 10 years.
Final Thoughts
With a launch date set for 2026, the new OLED MacBook Pro is sure to be a game-changer in design and advanced features. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air will eventually join the OLED club but will stop short of some of the premium features found in the Pro line. This Apple staggered upgrade strategy assures that the Pro remains the flagship for users who demand the best of the best.
