Apple May Introduce a 13-inch MacBook Air Featuring an OLED Display

Apple's MacBook Air line has long been celebrated for its slim design and portable form factor, but it has lagged behind Windows competitors in one key area: display technology. While most modern Windows thin-and-light laptops now use OLED panels, the MacBook Air still relies on Liquid Retina LCD screens. New industry whispers indicate that may finally change, with Apple reportedly working on an OLED version of the 13-inch MacBook Air.

According to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, the upcoming OLED MacBook Air will feature a 13.4-inch screen, slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch display found on the current M2 MacBook Air. South Korean outlet TheElec claims Samsung has already begun developing OLED panels for this model. This makes sense given that LG, Apple's usual OLED partner, is currently focused on producing displays for the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models and lacks the capacity to meet MacBook Air demands.

Unfortunately for those eager for an upgrade, Young suggests the OLED MacBook Air will not arrive until 2024, likely alongside the next-generation OLED iPad Pros. He also speculates that OLED MacBook Pros may not appear until 2026, as Apple could opt for more complex double-stack OLED technology in those devices.

In related news, Apple is also rumored to be preparing a 15-inch MacBook Air with a conventional LCD screen, powered by the upcoming M3 chip built on a 3nm process. This larger model is expected to deliver substantial performance and efficiency improvements over the current M2-based MacBook Air.

For now, users interested in the latest MacBook Air should consider the current M2 model, which remains a strong choice despite its LCD display.