Apple’s rumored MacBook Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most significant Mac redesigns in years, and a fresh industry report suggests it could land sooner than anyone expected. Research firm Omdia has released a new study on OLED adoption in laptops, and buried inside it are some very specific details about Apple‘s next MacBook.
What screen sizes will the MacBook Ultra come in?
According to the report, Samsung Display will begin supplying OLED panels for Apple’s new MacBook series as early as July 2026, with the devices expected to launch in Q3 2026. That almost certainly means a September debut, likely alongside the iPhone 18 series and the foldable iPhone Ultra.
The Omdia report points to two screen sizes for the MacBook Ultra: 14.3 inches and 16.3 inches. The current MacBook Pro comes in 14.2-inch and 16.2-inch configurations, so the slight size bump likely comes from slimmer bezels and a redesigned chassis.
What makes the OLED display so different?
Apple is not using the same OLED technology found in most laptops or even its own iPhone displays. According to Omdia’s Jerry Kang, the MacBook Ultra will use a hybrid OLED architecture based on oxide TFT and RGB tandem OLED technology.
This combination has never been used in a laptop before, but it’s similar to the display technology already found in the iPad Pro. It is specifically designed to consume less power than both LTPO and single-layer RGB OLEDs. That matters because the MacBook Ultra is also rumored to be significantly thinner than the current MacBook Pro.
Apple would need a major efficiency jump to maintain the battery life its laptops are known for. This new display tech is reportedly how it plans to pull that off. The MacBook Ultra is also expected to be a new tier in Apple’s lineup, sitting above the current MacBook Pro rather than replacing it.
By the end of 2026, Apple could have its MacBook lineup running from the entry-level Neo all the way up to the Ultra, covering more ground than ever before.
