by A new Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display will launch in 2024 or 2025, according to a Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes. The report claims Apple plans to eventually expand the technology to iPhones, iPads and MacBooks as well.
The report reiterates that Apple has been actively developing microLED technology since acquiring California-based LuxVue in 2014. As the production of microLED displays remains a challenge, manufacturing costs are higher, which is why Apple will start introducing the technology with the Apple Watch Ultra ahead of larger devices.
European company ams OSRAM will be the main micro-LED chip supplier for Apple, but according to the report, there is potential for Taiwanese suppliers like Epistar to become other micro-LED chip suppliers by 2026-2027.
A new Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display has been rumored by multiple sources, including Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman and Jeff Pu, analysts at Haitong International Securities. Gurman said the micro-LED transition could begin by the end of 2024, but noted that the timeframe could be pushed back to 2025. Young also gave a timeframe of 2025, so the technology could be at least two years away.
Pu said the new Apple Watch Ultra will likely feature a larger 2.1-inch display, and MicroLED technology would enable higher brightness compared to existing Apple Watch models with OLED displays. The current Ultra has a 1.9-inch display.
Meanwhile, Apple is still making the lengthy transition from LCD to OLED display technology. The Apple Watch has used OLED since its launch in 2015, and iPhone models have gradually transitioned to OLED starting in 2017. The first iPad Pro and MacBook models with OLED displays are rumored to appear in 2024.
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