Apple's Custom MicroLED Display for Apple Watch Rumored to Be Made by LG

[MacRumors]

Apple's custom-designed microLED displays for future Apple Watch models will be made by LG, according to display analyst Ross Young.

In a tweet, Young explained that LG Display is constructing a small production line to supply Apple with microLED displays destined for an Apple Watch model due to launch in 2025. The facility will reportedly supply microLED backplanes and assemble Apple's displays, opening in the second half of 2024. Earlier this week, Young said that Apple will introduce an Apple Watch with a microLED display in spring 2025.

The latest clarification appears to be a response to a report from Bloomberg that said Apple will transition to its own custom displays starting with a microLED display for the Apple Watch Ultra at the end of 2024, with the long-term goal of reducing reliance on display suppliers like Samsung and LG. According to Young, Apple will continue to depend on such partners to some extent. "Apple won't do the full process," he added.

Earlier this month, analyst Jeff Pu said a new high-end Apple Watch will adopt a larger, 2.1-inch micro-LED display, providing increased brightness compared to current Apple Watch models with OLED displays. This model would presumably be a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra, which launched last September and has a 1.92-inch display.

microLED technology features microscopic LEDs that form pixels, offering more accurate color, high contrast for improved HDR and viewing in suboptimal lighting conditions, support for wider viewing angles, reduced chance of screen burn-in, low latency for higher refresh rates, and improved efficiency.

Article Link: Apple's Custom MicroLED Display for Apple Watch Rumored to Be Made by LG

 

[No5tromo]

great I can't wait for a 2000€ Apple Watch

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

The year 2025 is going to be a big year for the Apple Watch! It would be nice if we get 7 days of battery life on a 0-100% single charge.

 

[alexandr]

The year 2025 is going to be a big year for the Apple Watch!

But not as big as 2028!

 

[cpnotebook80]

I hope that the apple watch ultra design will trickle down to the standard models. Crossing fingers.

 

[A10Jedi]

I have been 100% correct on my predictions. I predict there’s gonna be new bands for the Ultra. I also predict by 2026, the laptops will have touch screens! 😂

 

[now i see it]

I think there’s only one question about micro LED that needs to be answered: Will it use PWM flickering to dim the display?
If so — humanity is doomed

 

[dumastudetto]

I'm ready to place my pre-order.

Let's go!!!

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I hope that the apple watch ultra design will trickle down to the standard models. Crossing fingers.

To be honest with you. Apple Watch Ultra's design is great but at times I do miss the industry-leading edge-to-edge Contour display from Apple Watch 7/8.

Hands-on with Apple's gorgeous new Contour watch face - 9to5Mac

Apple has introduced two new watch faces with the new Series 7 watches: Contour and Modular Duo. Contour is the...

9to5mac.com

 

[tridley68]

If they can make a good product and meet Apples supply demand I'm all for it

 

[Nozuka]

I hope that the apple watch ultra design will trickle down to the standard models. Crossing fingers.

No thanks.

But i would take the microLED display.

 

[usmaak]

Make the Ultra a 45mm watch and take my money.

 

[zubikov]

The current screen is already so vivid, hard to fathom one that’s significantly better. Like how many more nits of brightness, how much higher contrast ratio are we talking here w/ micro led?

 

[lazyrighteye]

I hope that the apple watch ultra design will trickle down to the standard models. Crossing fingers.

Yeah... Ultra's hardware aesthetic is the general direction I was hoping Watch was going: chunkier, beefier, something a bit more rugged* - I guess I didn't mean $800 rugged. I would still be down with a more rugged Watch in the regular Watch pricing range. And if they wanted to drop said price range across the board, I'd also be ok with that. 🤪


* or at least a regal Watch model that was more rugged, as not everyone wants a more rugged watch.

 

[jz0309]

Ok, 2.5 years out… lots can and will change

 

[anthogag]

Will Apple make the screen larger and the watch thinner?

My Ultra is great. I won't go back to the normal Watch.

 

[Cristim74]

There is one thing I don't get ... while MacBooks and iPads are transitioning from miniLED to OLED, the watch is transitioning from OLED to microLED? Why?

 

[Cromulent]

I'm happy enough with my Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen. It would take a fair bit to get me to upgrade. The only thing I kind of miss is always on display.

 

[Flight Plan]

The year 2025 is going to be a big year for the Apple Watch! It would be nice if we get 7 days of battery life on a 0-100% single charge.

”Think Different”, in your signature, was Hitachi’s logo in the 1980s, back when they were making knock-off mainframe computers. Amdahl was in on it too, making their own mainframes. I think I have coffee mugs from both companies in that era, lol!

 

[AppleTO]

Why the watch though..? It seems like one of the least important devices to switch over.

 

[IIGS User]

Well THAT'S IT. I was going to buy an Apple Watch Ultra with all the money I saved up and overtime I've worked in the past few months, but now? I'M WAITING!

And if it has a notch or doesn't have USB-C, that's a deal breaker.

Will it charge on Air Power?

 

[realeric]

Awesome. LG is #1 display company in the world.

 

[Flight Plan]

I already have a Watch series 4 and a series 6. I have the 4 on a silicone band and it’s for when I’m washing, cleaning, cooking, working outside or changing oil or something. The 6 is on a Hanks leather band, because silicone makes me break out if I wear it too long.

The Ultra looks very nice. Maybe it can hold up to my gardening and mechanical tomfoolery. One can hope!

 

[Octavius8]

Apple is advancing at impressive slow pace… and developing products that contradict Apple’s choices in the same product (Edge screen vs framed screens in the Watches; Non-touch computers vs touch screen computers). Next we will have stylus in the iPhone ultra 16. Mark my words!!!!
This is called “lack of innovation” and “let’s do what we said we would not do to get more money from mindless drones just to push something “new””.

 

[jonnysods]

Its a long way out, but the next iteration of the Ultra will be my next AW to replace my Series 6. I just hope they can take a bit of the thickness out.