Samsung's cutting-edge UT One OLED panel could cut future MacBook Pro's power usage with 1 Hz mode

Rumours have been circulating for years that a future Apple MacBook Pro will feature an OLED panel, replacing the mini-LED display found on the current model (approx. $1,780 on Amazon). The first-ever MacBook Pro with an OLED display is expected to debut in 2026, with Apple reportedly opting for cutting-edge eighth-gen tandem OLED panels, primarily supplied by Samsung Display.

Samsung Display has unveiled its Gen 8.6 OLED panel, scheduled to enter mass production next year. The timing and specs align with earlier rumours surrounding the MacBook Pro, suggesting that this panel may have been designed with Apple’s flagship laptop in mind. Samsung’s “UT One” OLED panel is said to offer two significant benefits over today's conventional OLED panels. It is 30% thinner and lighter, effectively reducing a laptop’s weight by around 50 g (1.76 oz). Furthermore, it boasts a variable refresh rate capable of dropping to as low as 1 Hz – a feature long established in smartphones but a first for laptops.

According to Samsung’s internal testing, lowering the refresh rate to this level can effectively decrease power usage by 30%. The company also claims that this UT One OLED panel won’t exhibit visible flickering even at refresh rates below 10 Hz. The display supports up to a 120 Hz refresh rate. Samsung’s new Intelligent Color Technology (ICT) is designed to further optimise power consumption by lowering brightness whilst boosting saturation, making images appear brighter than they actually are.