South Korea's display industry views Apple's potential 2026 launch of an OLED MacBook as a critical turning point that could ignite explosive growth in the medium- and large-sized OLED market. Industry sources indicate that the market for notebook OLED panels has flattened, prompting players to seek a spark.
Shipments of OLED panels for notebooks are projected to reach about 10 million units in 2025, a figure that is roughly unchanged from 2024 levels.
Market research firm UBI Research, cited by South Korean outlet iNews24, reported that full-year 2025 shipments are likely to remain flat compared with 2024. The firm expects cumulative shipments of medium- and large-sized OLED displays to reach around 6.7 million units in the third quarter of 2025.
Competitive landscape intensifies
Samsung Display currently dominates the notebook OLED panel segment. Competitors like LG Display and Everdisplay Optronics are also expanding their supply.
Chinese manufacturers are ramping up production of both tandem OLEDs and lower-cost single-layer OLEDs. Companies including BOE Technology, Visionox, and TCL CSOT are broadening their offerings for notebook brands such as Lenovo, Dell, HP, and Huawei.
Industry analysts in South Korea largely agree that Apple's decision on whether to introduce OLED MacBooks in 2026 will determine the pace of market expansion.
Apple has already adopted OLED displays for its iPad Pro lineup, but high prices have limited demand. The company is reportedly still evaluating the launch schedule, format, and supply chain for the potential new MacBooks.
If Apple moves forward in 2026, the market for medium- and large-sized OLEDs could grow by more than 30%, predicted UBI Research vice president Changwook Han. Han projected the market could double in size by 2029 compared with 2025.
Apple's extended timeline
Other reports suggest a longer timeline for Apple's full transition. Bloomberg reported that Apple plans to move the MacBook Air lineup to OLED screens starting in 2028, following the adoption of OLED displays in the iPad mini, MacBook Pro, and iPad Air.
South Korean outlet Ddaily cited industry sources who said Apple's OLED roadmap will create fresh demand for Samsung Display and LG Display. However, success will hinge on critical factors, including production yield rates and cost control.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
