Apple’s highly anticipated OLED MacBook Air is now expected to debut much later than initially planned, with reports indicating that the launch will be pushed back to 2028. This delay follows growing concerns about production costs and the impact of premium display technology on pricing.
The news comes from The Elec, a Korean publication citing sources within the component industry, who claim that the OLED version of the MacBook Air won’t be ready until 2028. The original expectation was for a 2027 release. According to the report, Apple’s decision to delay the OLED model stems from challenges surrounding the potential increase in production costs and the question of whether a higher price tag would negatively affect sales.
Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Apple’s shift to OLED displays, while offering improved screen quality, raises concerns about cost implications for consumers. The company is apparently weighing whether the premium technology could push the MacBook Air into a price range that might deter potential buyers, given the laptop’s traditional positioning as a more affordable option in Apple’s MacBook lineup.
This delay is particularly noteworthy in the context of Apple’s earlier venture into OLED screens with the iPad Pro. Launched earlier this year, the OLED-equipped iPad Pro, priced starting at $999, has seen a noticeable drop in sales. Originally, Apple projected shipments of around 10 million units for 2024, but those estimates have since been revised downward to between 6 and 7 million.
Apple’s decision to delay the OLED MacBook Air is part of a broader trend of delayed hardware launches. The company is also reportedly facing setbacks with the redesign of the MacBook Pro, which was initially slated for a 2025 release but is now expected to be delayed until 2026 due to challenges with integrating new display technologies. In the meantime, Apple’s 2025 MacBook lineup is expected to retain the same design and mini-LED displays found in current models.
Additionally, Apple is reportedly working on a more affordable version of its $3,500 Vision Pro mixed-reality headset. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently stated that production of this lower-cost Vision Pro variant may be delayed beyond 2027. Kuo suggests that the delay is not due to component issues but rather Apple’s realization that simply lowering the price would not necessarily drive the headset to mainstream success. This, he compares to the fate of the HomePod—a cheaper version of Apple’s smart speaker, the HomePod mini, failed to gain traction in the market despite its lower price.
For Apple enthusiasts eagerly awaiting new hardware, these delays mark a frustrating but perhaps understandable shift in the company’s strategy. As Apple continues to innovate with cutting-edge display technologies and explore new product categories, the balance between premium features, production costs, and consumer demand will remain a critical challenge.
While these delays might push back some exciting product launches, they reflect Apple’s careful consideration of the market and its ongoing efforts to refine its offerings before pushing them out to consumers.