Apple Reportedly Planning All-New MacBook Model Between Air and Pro

Apple may introduce an entirely new 13.8-inch OLED MacBook model in 2029, potentially creating a new product tier between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, according to an updated product roadmap from research firm Omdia.

The firm's latest roadmap sandwiches a new 13.8-inch MacBook between the projected time line for the Air and Pro models. The surprise model is said to use a single-stack hybrid OLED panel, rather than the more sophisticated tandem OLED technology that is expected in the upcoming OLED MacBook Pro models, which are set to launch either later this year or early next year.

It seems this prediction hasn't come out of nowhere, either. According to a June report from ZDNet Korea, Apple sounded out Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE for information regarding a 13.8-inch OLED MacBook panel earlier this year. At the time, the general assumption was that it was likely to be part of Apple's work on the first OLED MacBook Air, expected by 2028 at the earliest.

However, looking at Omdia's latest roadmap, the OLED MacBook Air is conspicuously absent, having been replaced by the 13.8-inch OLED machine in a separate "new" product category. The new model is expected to incorporate an LTPO+ backplane, integrated touch sensing, an under-panel camera, and a color filter integrated into the OLED encapsulation layer.

Omdia believes it is still too early to know for sure which display manufacturer would supply panels for the device, but the firm believes that it could potentially become an important mainstream MacBook product, positioned between the LCD MacBook Air and the higher-end OLED MacBook Pro.

Meanwhile, the MacBook Air line is shown as continuing to use LCD displays right into 2030.

Of course, Apple's wholesale OLED adoption plans could change, and Omdia itself caveats that its roadmap is based on current market expectations. On that basis alone, it could be adjusted at any time according to OLED manufacturing capacity, component costs, and Apple's wider product strategy. Additionally, this is the first we've heard of a completely new MacBook line, and it's still three years out. So with all due caution, file this one under "wait and see."