TrendForce’s latest report has revealed that it is predicted that the Apple Watch Ultra will gain a microLED display in 2026 instead of 2025 as previously rumored. It is also said that Apple plans to increase the screen size of the watch up to 2.12 inches in addition to this technology.
This report is very interesting as Apple plans to expand the microLED technology to other products after making it available for the Apple Watch. The report says a microLED display could come to Apple’s headphones, smartphones and automotive applications.
However, it’s unclear when Apple will replace the OLED panel on the iPhone with microLED. Also, if the Watch Ultra’s transition to microLED is to extend to 2026, we may have to wait for an even more distant date for iPhones. Currently, the company is expected to use an OLED display on the iPad Pro in 2024. Samsung Display and LG Display are working to bring the 8th generation of this technology to the MacBook Pro by 2026.
TrendForce says the market value of microLED chips will reach $27 million in 2023 and could rise to $580 million in 2027, though most of this growth will come from the TV space.
Apple has tried to bring microLED to the iPhone X before, but the company gave up on these plans due to manufacturing difficulties and high prices. The new TrendForce report confirms what The Elec said a week ago. According to The Elec, Apple is starting its transition to microLED with the Apple Watch Ultra, as it is easier to implement this technology on small screens. Once the company masters this, it will be able to apply it to AR devices and eventually bring it to larger screens like the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
While Samsung Display can also produce microLED panels, The Elec says the South Korean company isn’t interested in producing these displays for Apple as it doesn’t generate much profit.
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