Samsung reportedly preparing OLED displays for upcoming MacBook Pro 2022
But do we need an OLED MacBook Pro?
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According to new information shared byThe Elec,Samsungis preparing its production line forOLEDdisplays that are expected to be used in future models of theMacBook Pro.
Two new models, a 16-inch and a 17-inch version are expected for release sometime in 2022, supposedly built with a more powerfulM1X(or M2) chip.It isn’t clear ifOLED screenswill feature as default on these rumored MacBook Pro devices, or if they will be an additional option.
This also appears to be in addition to long-standing rumors that aMacBook Pro 14-inchandMacBook Pro 16-inchmodel are expected for release around October or November of 2021, and will reportedly featurea mini-LED display, similar to the newiPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021that got the M1 treatment earlier this year.
Appleis also apparently planning to release a 10.9-inch iPad and a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with OLED displays, but given how recently theiPad Pro 12.9mini LED launched back in May 2021, this would likely be for releases a year or two away.
Analysis: too many choices?
While we always advise not taking rumored information as gospel, speculation has been circulating foryearsregarding Apple developing its MacBook Pro series with OLED displays.
It has always made little sense to include such an expensive feature on the more affordableMacBook Air, and especially confusing if Apple is also planning a mini-LED range of MacBooks, but there are a host of reasons why an OLED MacBook would be a great addition to the range.Just like withOLED TVs, laptops with OLED panels can produce brighter and more lifelike colors, with superior black levels and contrast. This makes them a great choice for anyone working in a creative field like videography or photography, or even digital artists - which is a key market for the MacBook Pro range.
OLED displays also tend to experience less lag and motion blur because they operate using a single panel, unlike traditional LCD screens that require an additional LED panel for backlighting.
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That single panel can even contribute to a device being lighter and thinner, so you’ll have less to lug around. But these benefits don’t come without a pretty significant caveat.
OLED burn-in is a long-reported issue with these kinds of displays and usually appears as a result of long, consistent exposure (although more recently this is less of an issue as technical developments have helped reduce the risk).If Apple does have plans to bring both mini-LED and OLED options for the 2022 MacBook Pro range, that would show that the screen is clearly the next selling point for its high-end laptops, and would mirror the improvement to the iPad Pro (which launched earlier this year with mini-LED on board).
There’s also no confirmation on if the traditional LCD displays will be phased out completely in favor of this newer technology, so it’s conceivable Apple could go with three display choices, although given how similar mini-LED and OLED are, this is unlikely.
However, it’s more recently really started to use the OLED tech in things like theiPhonerange and everyApple Watchsince the start of that line, so it certainly knows how to do it.
Screens aside, the innards of these upcoming laptops will certainly sway a few people into upgrading.
The M1X has been eagerly awaited since the arrival of the originalM1 Chipsetback in 2020, so while the risk of burn-inmaybe a cause for concern, the additional performance we’re expecting to see in these highly-anticipated devices isn’t likely to put off many potential customers.
Jess is a former TechRadar Computing writer, where she covered all aspects of Mac and PC hardware, including PC gaming and peripherals. She has been interviewed as an industry expert for the BBC, and while her educational background was in prosthetics and model-making, her true love is in tech and she has built numerous desktop computers over the last 10 years for gaming and content creation. Jess is now a journalist at The Verge.
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