Apple could be preparing a new MacBook tier that would sit between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, according to a new product roadmap from research firm Omdia.
The unannounced model is expected to feature a 13.8-inch OLED display and could arrive in 2029. That would give Apple another option for buyers who want a more advanced display than the current MacBook Air, without stepping up to the higher-end MacBook Pro.
Omdia’s latest roadmap places the 13.8-inch MacBook in a new product category between the Air and Pro lines. The machine is expected to use a single-stack hybrid OLED panel, rather than the more advanced tandem OLED technology reportedly planned for future MacBook Pro models.
The display could also bring several features not currently found on Apple’s laptop lineup, including an LTPO+ backplane, integrated touch sensing and an under-panel camera. Omdia also expects the OLED panel to feature a colour filter integrated into the OLED encapsulation layer.
Interestingly, the roadmap doesn’t show an OLED MacBook Air. Instead, the 13.8-inch OLED model appears as an entirely separate product, while the MacBook Air is expected to continue using LCDs through to 2030.
Some evidence suggests Apple has at least explored a MacBook with this display size. A June report from ZDNet Korea claimed Apple had approached Samsung Display, LG Display and BOE for information about 13.8-inch OLED panels earlier this year. At the time, the assumption was that these panels could be intended for an OLED MacBook Air.
Omdia now appears to have a different view, suggesting the panel could instead be used for a new MacBook tier aimed at the mainstream market.
There’s still plenty of uncertainty here. Omdia’s roadmap is based on current market expectations, while Apple’s plans could change depending on OLED production capacity, component costs and its wider product strategy. The machine is also reportedly three years away, so it’s worth treating this one as a long-term possibility rather than a firm product plan.
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