Apple is developing a completely new 13.8-inch OLED MacBook positioned between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, according to Omdia’s updated product roadmap. The device would launch in 2029 and use single-stack hybrid OLED technology rather than the advanced tandem OLED expected in the pro tier, representing a significant shift in how Apple is restructuring its display strategy across the MacBook lineup.
What the New MacBook Will Include
The unnamed 13.8-inch model will incorporate an LTPO+ backplane, integrated touch sensing, an under-panel camera, and a color filter integrated into the OLED encapsulation layer. These features suggest Apple may be preparing touchscreen functionality for a mid-tier machine, a capability not currently present in any MacBook.
- Display: 13.8-inch single-stack hybrid OLED
- Backplane: LTPO+ technology for dynamic refresh rate control
- Camera: Under-panel design integrated into display
- Touch: Integrated touch sensing capability
- Launch window: 2029
The 13.8-inch model fills a gap created by two product cancellations. Apple has scrapped plans for a foldable MacBook measuring 16.1 to 18 inches when unfolded and has canceled a separate 14.4-to-16.1-inch OLED MacBook that was previously in development. The new mid-tier device now occupies the position that the larger canceled model once held in the lineup hierarchy.
The MacBook Air line is shown as continuing to use LCD displays through at least 2030, a dramatic delay from earlier expectations of an OLED upgrade by 2028. This suggests Apple is managing component costs and OLED supply constraints by concentrating premium display technology in the Pro and this new mid-tier model.
The OLED MacBook Pro and Pro Max, potentially rebranded as “MacBook Ultra,” are expected to arrive in late 2026 or early 2027 with 14.3-inch and 16.3-inch tandem OLED displays. Mini-LED MacBook Pro models will remain available in parallel until at least 2028, extending the overlap between older and newer technology longer than initially anticipated.
The iPad mini will receive an 8.4-inch OLED display at 60Hz, arriving before the MacBook Pro refresh. Early 2027 will see the MacBook Air refresh, though it will continue using 13.6-inch and 15.4-inch LCD displays.
Omdia notes that its roadmap is based on current market expectations and that component costs, supply chain dynamics, and Apple’s strategic priorities could shift before a 2029 launch. The 13.8-inch model’s specifications and positioning remain unconfirmed by Apple, and the company has not announced or hinted at a new MacBook tier at this size.
If the device does launch, Apple will need to clearly position it against the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro to avoid market confusion. The inclusion of integrated touch sensing and an under-panel camera suggests Apple sees a meaningful functional distinction worth the added complexity, or it may be testing advanced OLED features on a lower-volume model before bringing them to higher tiers.
