Apple has halted its plans to develop a MicroLED display for Apple Watches. According to a detailed report by Bloomberg, Apple has recently made a strategic decision to halt its ambitious plans to develop a MicroLED display specifically tailored for the Apple Watch. This move comes in light of the company's concerns about the display being costly and the technical complexities associated with the development of such cutting-edge display technology. The report further elucidates that this decision coincided with Apple's earlier choice to terminate its endeavours in the realm of self-driving cars.
The insights shared in the report echo previous speculations put forward by renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who had hinted at the likelihood of Apple abandoning its in-house MicroLED display project. Kuo cited the primary reason for this shift in strategy as the exorbitant production costs that rendered the venture economically unviable. As a direct consequence of halting the MicroLED display project, Apple was compelled to reduce its engineering workforce by "several dozen," with some employees impacted being based at the company’s proprietary screen manufacturing facility located in California.
The concept of Apple developing MicroLED displays for its smartwatch line initially surfaced through various industry rumours last year. It was speculated that Apple aimed to incorporate these advanced displays into an upcoming iteration of the Apple Watch, possibly slated for release in the timeline spanning between 2024 and 2025. This strategic move was anticipated to offer Apple greater autonomy in its display technology, potentially reducing its reliance on external display suppliers such as Samsung and LG.
MicroLED Project Not Abandoned
At present, Apple's Apple Watch models feature OLED displays known for their vibrant colours and crisp visuals. However, despite the appeal of OLED technology, the exact advantages and unique selling points of MicroLED displays over OLED remain somewhat nebulous. Nevertheless, while Apple may have shelved its immediate plans for a MicroLED-equipped Apple Watch, the company is evidently not abandoning the MicroLED realm entirely.
Bloomberg's report alludes to ongoing efforts by Apple to explore alternative suppliers and innovate new manufacturing processes to effectively integrate MicroLED technology into its future devices, underscoring the company's persistent commitment to pushing the boundaries of display innovation.