A display research group with a middling rumor history claims that Apple is planning to introduce a new OLED MacBook model in 2029 to bridge the small gap between MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
Apple surprised many, especially in the Windows world, with its launch of a low-cost, high-quality hit MacBook Neo back in March 2026. While that model fits in at the low end, a new report claims that Apple aims to add a further MacBook to the lineup.
Without indicating its sources, research group Omdia claims that Apple has recently revised its roadmap for the next several years of devices. Key to that updated roadmap is a new MacBook which will be positioned in specifications and presumably price between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro.
Specifically, this new model will have a 13.8-inch single-layer OLED screen, which features an under-panel camera and so no notch, or perhaps a reduced one. There are also claimed specifications regarding color filters and perhaps most significantly, a touch sensor.
That would imply that this could be a touch-screen MacBook. That could mean that the whole lineup divides into two, with this new MacBook and the MacBook Pro being the ones with touch screens.
If so, that would make for a clear distinction between those two models and the MacBook Air and MacBook Neo. The distinction between the new MacBook and the MacBook Pro would be down to the latter having at least a two-stack OLED display for better quality and longer life.
However, Apple has separately been reported to be working on an iMac for around 2030, and which could use a five-stack OLED screen. That would mean the consumer iMac having a better display than this new MacBook, which is reportedly positioned above the consumer MacBook Air and MacBook Neo.
Omdia is also very specific about the new MacBook having a 13.8-inch screen. That would put it above the MacBook Air's 13.6-inch screen, but not significantly, and not noticeably nearer the larger MacBook Air's 15-inch display.
The MacBook Air remains Apple's most popular laptop
With all of this supposedly happening in around three years' time, though, Apple doesn't have to make a decision about screen sizes yet. Equally, there is sufficient time that Omdia can say anything now and later claim that Apple revised its roadmap again.
Finding a market
The only further detail from the report is that Omdia believes Apple expects this new model to become an important mainstream one. With the report focusing on display technology, it says that the sheer quantities needed may mean Apple has to use multiple screen suppliers.
Note that Omdia does not have a great track record in Apple predictions. It appears to have sources within the display panel supply industry, however.
Separately, the first MacBook model with a touch screen is expected to be an updated MacBook Pro. That has been generally predicted to launch in late 2026, or possibly early 2027.
