Apple has reportedly shelved its development plans for a large folding MacBook and a standalone OLED MacBook Pro in that larger size class, according to a research note published by market intelligence firm Omdia. The company is instead shifting its hardware roadmap toward an updated lineup that includes a 13.8-inch OLED model and high-end OLED MacBook Pro units equipped with powerful processors.
Apple Shelves Foldable MacBook and Large OLED Pro
According to Omdia’s findings, Apple stopped development on a foldable device featuring an unfolded screen size between 16.1 and 18 inches. Industry trackers previously anticipated this hardware for a 2026 release window, though production schedules had already faced delays. Market observers initially categorized that concept as a large-screen tablet rather than a traditional laptop. Alongside that cancellation, Apple dropped a separate OLED laptop project sized between 14.4 and 16.1 inches. These cancellations mean screen dimensions from 14.3 to 16.3 inches will remain tied exclusively to the standard MacBook Pro lineup for the foreseeable future.
New 13.8-Inch OLED MacBook Takes Shape
Despite dropping the larger experimental form factors, Omdia reports that Apple’s broader goal to bring OLED panels across its iPad and MacBook families remains intact. The tech giant is adjusting which specific products receive the display technology and what panel specifications they utilize. Apple intends to introduce a 13.8-inch notebook positioned between the entry-level LCD MacBook Air and the high-end OLED MacBook Pro configurations. This new device will employ a next-generation OLED architecture featuring an LTPO+ backplane, an under-panel camera, and color filter on encapsulation (CFE) technology, filling the gap left by the canceled mid-sized project beneath the Pro tier.
Mini-LED MacBooks to Run Alongside OLED Models
The upcoming 14.3-inch and 16.3-inch MacBook Pro OLED variants—frequently discussed under the moniker Apple MacBook Ultra—remain on track for a debut in late 2026 or early 2027. Omdia notes that Apple will not immediately phase out existing liquid-crystal display models built with Mini-LED backlighting once the OLED versions launch. Rising component and memory expenses have slowed down the industry-wide transition pace, meaning Apple plans to sell the current Mini-LED units and the new OLED MacBook Pro series in parallel for multiple years. Furthermore, industry tracking indicates that these upcoming high-end OLED portables will offer optional configurations powered by the M5 Ultra chip.
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