Apple is preparing to introduce a display upgrade for its MacBook Air, but it may not be the upgrade you were anticipating. As reported by The Elec, Apple is working on a new version of the MacBook Air, set to feature an oxide thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD), with a launch slated for 2027.
If this comes to fruition, it will mark the first time that Apple integrates oxide TFT LCD technology into the MacBook Air range. But what does this upgrade mean? TFT refers to the type of transistors used in the screen, and oxide indicates the material used for those transistors. When compared to the amorphous silicon (a-Si) TFT LCD in current MacBook Air models, oxide TFT technology offers better electron mobility, leading to smoother visuals and improved performance.
Apple already adopted oxide TFT LCDs in its premium MacBook Pro models back in 2022. This suggests that the technology is finally making its way into the more budget-friendly MacBook Air. Apple’s decision to use oxide TFT LCD could be the result of an original plan that didn’t quite go as expected. The report suggests that Apple had initially planned to release an OLED MacBook Air by 2027.
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays are renowned for their superior contrast ratios and deeper blacks, surpassing traditional LCD screens. However, Apple’s plans for an OLED MacBook Air have reportedly been delayed, likely due to disappointing sales of the OLED-equipped iPad Pro. The iPad Pro’s weak sales are attributed to the steep price increase that comes with OLED technology.
Thus, the adoption of oxide TFT LCD is seen as a temporary solution, allowing Apple to refine its OLED technology and lower production costs. According to The Elec, the OLED MacBook Air might not make its debut until 2029.
