Samsung Rumored to Supply OLED Displays for 16-Inch MacBook Pro and Future iPad Pros

Samsung is in talks with Apple about supplying OLED displays for a 16-inch MacBook Pro and future iPad Pro models, according to Korean site The Elec, which does not have a proven track record in terms of Apple rumors.

macbookprodesign
We first heard about a potential 16-inch to 16.5-inch MacBook Pro from well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said the notebook will launch at some point in 2019 with an "all-new design," but he did not comment on which display technology the notebook will use or share any other details.

Kuo later said Apple is planning to release a new 15-inch to 17-inch MacBook Pro with a mini-LED backlight in the first half of 2021. It is unclear if this will be a future iteration of the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ or exactly how Apple's plans will play out.

ipadprosizecomparison
Kuo has also previously claimed that two new ‌iPad Pro‌ models will enter mass production between the fourth quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020, but again, he has not commented on what display technology the tablets would use. He also expects a new iPad with a mini-LED backlight in late 2020 to early 2021.

Little else is known about the rumored 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ or new ‌iPad Pro‌ models at this time. Apple surprised us earlier this week with new 2019 MacBook Pro models, but the only changes are faster processors and a "new material" added to the keyboard for improved reliability — hopefully, at least.

Given this week's ‌MacBook Pro‌ refresh, it is reasonable to assume that Apple will not release the rumored 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ until at least the fall. Or, if the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ has been delayed internally, then perhaps it won't debut until an event next year such as WWDC 2020 in June. It is too early to say.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, MacBook Pro
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

MrGunnyPT Avatar
88 months ago
And how do they plan to mitigate the OLED burn in? Not having the screen totally static in terms of full screen windows?

We really don't want another 4 years of repairing screens now that hopefully we will get rid of the keyboard issue.... I'd rather wait for Micro LED at this point.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnyslats Avatar
88 months ago
I wouldn’t dream of using an OLED panel on a Mac at this point in time. Too many static UI elements that could cause burn in.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MakeAppleAwesomeAgain Avatar
88 months ago
Who cares if the keyboard is broken anyway. Fix the keyboard and thermal issues first (can’t only blame Intel) before expanding the line-up further, which also happen to be a mess these days.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smithrh Avatar
88 months ago
I love my OLED TV but I'd never want to buy a Mac with an OLED screen. Ugh. Apple keeps pushing me away.
So, you're saying Apple is pushing you away due to a sketchy rumor you read?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SecuritySteve Avatar
88 months ago
2020 MacBook Pro probably at this point.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Freida Avatar
88 months ago
Oh on that iPad I would welcome it
I really hope not. OLED is flawed tech and on top of that its expensive. I hope we will use LED until microLED is ready.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)