Apple started production of display panels for a new 15.5-inch MacBook Air this month, according to display industry analyst Ross Young, who has an amazing track record with display rumors.
15-Inch MacBook Air Rumored to Launch in April
In a tweet shared with his subscribers today, Young said he expects the new MacBook Air to launch in early Aprilgiven that display production is now underway. An announcement and pre-orders could come sooner. Apple often holds a spring event to announce new products in March 2022 and April 2021.
A new 15-inch display is the largest for the MacBook Air and would presumably be offered alongside the existing 13-inch model. The current 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip was released in July 2022 and maintains a starting price of $1,199.
M2 Chip or Next-Generation M3 Chip
Young did not provide any additional details about the new model, including if it would be equipped with the M2 chip or the next-generation 3nm-based M3 chip, which Apple is yet to announce. Apple's chipmaking partner, TSMC, began mass production of 3nm chips in December, but it is unclear if the M3 chip will be ready by April.
Approaching the Launch of New MacBook Air Models
The launch of a 15-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip this spring has been the subject of debate because Apple is rumored to update the MacBook Air with the M3 chip later this year, and there would only be around six to eight months between these releases. As the release of the new MacBook Air models approaches, hopefully additional rumors will help clear up the situation.
Young is the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC). In the past, he accurately revealed that iPhone 13 Pro and high-end MacBook Pro models would feature ProMotion, that the sixth-generation iPad mini would be equipped with an 8.3-inch display, that the current M2 MacBook Air would have a 13.6-inch screen, and more.