Apple is reportedly concerned with future Mac sales as it reported a massive 30% revenue drop in fiscal Q2 2023. As a result, the company could delay mass production of the first MacBook Pro with an OLED screen to 2027, according to a machine-translated article from The Elec.

The article explains that the first OLED-equipped MacBook Pro was previously planned to enter production in 2026. However, Apple has apparently pushed back its schedule by at least one year to 2027. The Elec still claims that new iPad Pros with OLED panels are still expected to debut next year.

The article further reiterates an earlier report in which suppliers for the new OLED panel – Samsung and LG Display – are hesitant to develop next-gen Gen 8 OLED panels for MacBooks. The suppliers are reportedly concerned over the profitability of such an endeavor that requires significant initial investments.

Samsung is yet to place orders for key equipment necessary to manufacture Gen 8 OLED panels, adds the article. The equipment – a material depositor- takes around three years from initial order to final setup before commencing mass production of OLED panels. Samsung was expected to order the depositor from Canon Tokki, a subsidiary of Canon, sometime by the end of the current quarter. However, Samsung is no longer in a hurry to order the depositor following Apple’s delayed timeline and is instead expected to finalize its order by the end of 2023.

Samsung and Canon Tokki are now said to be discussing the specifications of the depositor before commencing its development and final cost, adds the article. LG Display and BOE are also contemplating placing their own orders from Canon Tokki. Material deposition equipment takes the longest to develop and build. Thus it is essential to finalize its specs first before other OLED-manufacturing equipment.

The OLED MacBook Pro was previously rumored to enter mass production sometime between 2025 and 2026. The new laptop is also rumored to be the first Mac equipped with a touchscreen, as Apple engineers are said to be “actively engaged” in building touchscreen panels appropriate for a Mac laptop.