Recently, it was reported that the MacBook Pro would be upgraded to OLED and will eliminate its notch by 2026. This same report provided a timeline for OLED implementation across Apple’s product lineup, and unfortunately, it doesn’t bode well for MacBook Air users in two significant ways.
MacBook Air’s extended OLED wait places it in a unique category
The research firm Omdia released a display timeline for Apple’s Mac and iPad devices, stretching through 2030 and outlining when significant upgrades can be expected for various products.
However, the timeline reveals some disappointing news for MacBook Air owners in two respects:
- OLED will not be available for this device for quite some time.
- When it does arrive, it will lack an important upgrade.
On the first point, Omdia indicates that the MacBook Air won’t receive OLED until approximately 2028, almost two years after the MacBook Pro.
It’s common for the MacBook Air to trail the MacBook Pro in display technology, but this delay appears particularly lengthy, especially since both the iPad mini and iPad Air are set to receive OLED before that timeframe.
According to Omdia, the iPad mini is scheduled to adopt OLED in 2026, while the iPad Air will follow in 2027.
This means that the MacBook Air will have to wait an additional 3-4 years for an OLED upgrade and will be among the last of Apple’s products to feature this technology.
Regrettably, the unhappy news doesn’t end there.
OLED MacBook Air will still feature a notch
When the MacBook Air finally receives its OLED upgrade, it will continue to have the same notch design as it currently does—according to Omdia.
This is particularly disappointing because the MacBook Pro’s OLED upgrade in 2026 will replace the notch with a more compact hole-punch cutout.
Yet, it appears that the MacBook Air, Apple’s most popular flagship Mac, will retain the notch design for a significant period.
Timelines and details can change over time, especially since these updates are still several years away. However, for now, the outlook for MacBook Air display enhancements seems bleak.
What are your thoughts on the MacBook Air’s OLED situation? Is this a cause for concern, or not a big deal? Share your opinions in the comments.
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