Rumor: Is Apple Planning to Launch 13-inch MacBook with OLED Display?
Is Apple planning to launch a 13-inch MacBook model with an OLED screen in 2024? A new report states that it is “looking increasingly likely” for that to happen!
What to Expect from MacBooks with OLED?
According to a new report, Apple may be releasing a 13-inch MacBook model with an OLED screen in 2024. The report was revealed by Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants and reported on by AppleInsider. According to the latest report, Apple might be releasing a 13.3-inch laptop along with the 11-inch OLED iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Young further added that although it is expected to be a MacBook Air, it could also be a MacBook Pro. In fact, it might as well be something completely different.
In another tweet shared with ‘Super Followers’, Young revealed further specs of Apple’s rumored MacBook with OLED display. He said that the OLED displays in all three new devices will adopt a two-stack, called ‘tandem stack’, in which there are two red, green and blue emission layers. Moreover, the tandem stack could help with the following features:
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- decrease power consumption by up to 30%
- increase brightness
- extend the display’s lifespan
OLED displays also do not require backlighting for further power efficiency. Essentially, the ones used by Apple are also likely to have variable refresh rate displays to further improve efficiency. As per Young, all devices will adopt LTPO display technology for a variable refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz, a feature that Apple calls ProMotion. Although all iPad Pro models released since 2017 already feature ProMotion, the refresh rate can only drop as low as 24Hz, while ProMotion would be all new to the MacBook Air.
Mini-LED vs OLED Displays: Which is better?
The current mini-LED tech used by Apple is an alternative to OLED. Although it is better in some ways, it seems inefficient in others. Mini-LED screens are made up of thousands of small LEDs arranged in multiple dimming zones. They can attain higher brightness than OLED displays, but local dimming is not as accurate as on OLED. Moreover, OLED displays also suffer from burn-in.
Speaking of the future, Apple is also heavily investing in micro-LED technology. Although micro-LED displays are largely similar to the OLED, they offer improved brightness and no burn-in. In that case, the combination of mini-LED and OLED displays would result in the best of both worlds.
According to other speculations, Apple is currently focused on transitioning its Mac and iPad lines to LCD displays with mini-LED backlighting as well as OLED displays—that would be a big step for the tech giant. However, unlike mini-LED displays, OLED panels use self-emitting pixels and do not require backlighting—something that could improve the contrast ratio and further contribute to longer battery life.
Can OLED Displays Hinder Apple’s Reputation?
After Apple’s WWDC 2022 event, there have been a string of rumors about new specs and new Apple models. In fact, there have been rumors about a 15-inch MacBook Air and a 12-inch laptop being released sometime in 2023.
However, the OLED display addition would mean that Apple is stacking its deck, with its MacBook Air (M2) and MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2) releasing along with several other MacBook models from the Intel-era still available for purchase on many retail sites. The problem statement here is that Apple would likely cover all its market bases, the tech giant might end up oversaturating its own reputation in the market and result in fatigue among its own fanbase with sheer quantity of laptop choices alone.
Additionally, there are continued supply chain issues occurring since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global chip shortage. Further issues could constraint Apple’s product releases, which are already shipping delays on its 14-inch and 16-inch machines. Therefore, introducing another MacBook into the crowd might not be as available for those who have been eyeing the product for a long time.
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Anwesha has been a creative writer for a while. Currently, on her pursuit of tech writing, she is diving into the realms of technology to produce better content on the forever-changing world of technology. In her free time, you’ll find her humming tunes of her favourite shows or reading a book.