According to a product roadmap from research firm Omdia, Apple is planning to introduce an entirely new 13.8-inch OLED MacBook toward the end of 2028 or early 2029.
If released, the model could sit between the LCD-equipped MacBook Air, which Omdia expects to retain LCD technology through at least 2030, and the higher-end tandem OLED MacBook Pro. Depending on its price, that could give buyers a less expensive route to OLED than the Pro lineup, although Apple has not confirmed its position or pricing.
One standout feature is a reported under-panel camera, which could allow Apple to eliminate the display notch. Omdia’s report, cited by MacRumors, indicates it will use a single-stack hybrid OLED panel—stepping down from the Pro’s more robust tandem technology—and will incorporate an LTPO+ backplane alongside a color filter on the encapsulation layer.
Perhaps most intriguingly, the listed touch sensor suggests this could become Apple’s first mainstream touchscreen MacBook, although its inclusion in the roadmap does not guarantee the feature will reach production.
What got scrapped
Omdia’s latest roadmap no longer includes a previously rumored foldable MacBook, suggesting Apple may have shelved the device. “Omdia said Apple has scrapped development of a large foldable MacBook that would have measured between 16.1 and 18 inches when unfolded,” reports MacRumors. A separate rumored OLED model with a larger 14.4-inch display is also absent from the latest roadmap.
Meanwhile, the existing mini-LED MacBook Pro may not disappear immediately. Omdia expects Apple to sell those models alongside a redesigned OLED MacBook Pro, reportedly planned for late 2026 or early 2027 with M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, until at least 2028.
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The display diet
The roadmap suggests display technology could become a more important dividing line across Apple’s MacBook lineup.
If the roadmap proves accurate, Apple could use display technology to distinguish three MacBook tiers. The MacBook Air would retain an LCD, the rumored 13.8-inch model would use single-stack OLED, and the MacBook Pro would receive more advanced tandem OLED technology.
For buyers, the trade-off would likely come down to price, brightness and longevity. A single-stack OLED panel could provide deeper blacks and better contrast than an LCD, while tandem OLED could give professional users greater brightness and a longer panel lifespan. Apple has not announced pricing or specifications for the rumored 13.8-inch model.
A grain of salt
Before marking your 2029 calendar, a heavy dose of skepticism is warranted. The projected launch remains more than two years away, and Omdia’s track record with Apple predictions is mixed. As AppleInsider notes, “Omdia does not have a great track record in Apple predictions.” The firm itself admits the roadmap is based on current market expectations and manufacturing capacity, which means it could be revised at any time.
For now, the roadmap offers an early indication of where Apple’s MacBook displays may be heading, not a dependable buying timeline. Anyone who needs a new laptop soon should evaluate the current lineup on its own merits rather than wait until 2028 or 2029 for an unconfirmed model.
Read more: Apple’s rumored MacBook Ultra could bring OLED, touchscreen support and a new premium tier before the proposed 13.8-inch model reaches the market.
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