Samsung Display will manufacture organic light-emitting diode panels for Apple’s MacBook Pro models, marking the iPhone maker’s first foray into OLED laptops after struggling to generate enthusiasm for similar technology in tablets.
The South Korean company plans to start mass production in late second quarter 2026 for 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, according to industry sources. Apple expects to launch the redesigned laptops in the fourth quarter of 2026, with initial production volumes targeted at 2 million to 3 million units annually.
Samsung Display will serve as the sole supplier for the panels, manufactured at its eighth-generation OLED facility in Asan, South Korea. The factory can produce up to 10 million 14-inch OLED panels yearly, though Apple’s initial orders represent just a fraction of that capacity. Trial production will begin by year-end 2025, with component manufacturing scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
The timeline faces potential delays as Apple works to reduce manufacturing costs for certain components. The company has developed new parts for the specific OLED panels, but if these don’t meet Apple’s desired characteristics, the schedule could change, according to supply chain sources.
Samsung Display’s A6 facility consists of two production lines, each capable of processing 7,500 glass substrates monthly. Only one line will handle MacBook panels initially, with Samsung seeking additional customers including Dell, HP and Lenovo to utilize remaining capacity and improve cost efficiency.
The MacBook OLED initiative comes as Apple grapples with lackluster sales of its first OLED tablet. The OLED iPad Pro, launched in May 2024, shipped approximately 6.7 million units rather than the projected 10 million, prompting analysts to slash forecasts and suppliers to redirect production capacity.
Consumer resistance to premium pricing appears central to the iPad’s struggles. The 11-inch OLED iPad Pro starts at $999, while the 13-inch model costs $1,299 – price points that many buyers view as excessive for complementary devices. Display industry consultants noted the OLED iPad Pro is perceived as a “nice-to-have” product rather than a necessity.
Whether MacBooks can overcome similar pricing pressures remains uncertain. OLED technology typically commands premium pricing compared to current mini-LED displays, potentially limiting market appeal. Current OLED penetration in computing devices hovers around 2-3%, suggesting significant adoption hurdles remain.
Samsung Display invested 4.1 trillion won ($3.1 billion) in its IT OLED production line through 2026, aiming to generate 20% of total revenue from computer displays. The company’s success depends partly on securing orders beyond Apple to justify the substantial capital expenditure.
Apple has previously delayed OLED adoption timelines, pushing MacBook Air OLED models from 2027 to 2029. Instead, the company plans to release MacBook Air models with oxide thin-film transistor LCD technology in 2027, suggesting a more cautious approach to premium display adoption across its laptop lineup.
