Apple Samsung OLED MacBook partnership

In late July 2026 Apple announced that Samsung Display would be the exclusive supplier of OLED touchscreen panels for its upcoming 14‑inch and 16‑inch MacBook models, dubbed the “MacBook Ultra.” The deal includes an initial order of about 2.5 million panels, with mass production slated to start at Samsung’s Asan plant in South Korea around August 2026 and the laptops expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027.

A few days later, Apple detailed the practical challenges of bringing touch capability to its next‑generation MacBook Pro. The “Liquid Glass” OLED display requires larger finger‑size targets, raising ergonomic concerns for a device traditionally designed for precise cursor input. Developers also face software hurdles, needing to keep macOS applications fully functional with both touch and traditional inputs while ensuring compatibility with the existing MacBook fleet. These discussions highlight the implementation phase following the supplier agreement, focusing on user‑experience and software integration issues.