First MicroLED Apple Watch Now Rumored to Launch in 2025, Not 2024

[MacRumors]

The first Apple Watch with a microLED display will debut in spring 2025, according to information shared by display analyst Ross Young. Young claims that a microLED Apple Watch will launch in spring 2025, with production on the panels destined for the device set to start at the end of 2024.

Young's timeline is different from the timeline outlined recently by analyst Jeff Pu, who suggested that Apple would introduce an Apple Watch with a microLED display in 2024. The spring 2025 timing from Young is questionable because Apple has long introduced updated Apple Watch models in the fall alongside new iPhones, and there is nothing to suggest the company will move away from that timeline in the next two years.

What could happen, though, is that Apple introduces a microLED Apple Watch in fall 2024, shipping it later in spring 2025 when the panel technology is ready. Alternatively, Young's timeline could be off a bit, with Apple instead planning to debut a microLED Apple Watch in fall 2025, which would make more sense in terms of timing.

Young did not provide details on the size of the display, but the prior report from Pu suggested that it would measure in at 2.1 inches diagonally, indicating that the display is likely to be for a future version of the Apple Watch Ultra. Introduced last September, the current Apple Watch ultra features a 1.92-inch display, larger than the 1.77-inch display of the Series 8. microLED is still an emerging technology that display manufacturers are working to perfect, so it makes sense that this kind of screen would come to Apple's higher-end and more expensive Apple Watch first.

microLED technology features microscopic LEDs that form pixels, offering more accurate color, high contrast ratio for improved HDR and viewing in suboptimal lighting conditions, support for viewing at wider angles, smaller chance of screen burn-in over time compared to technologies like OLED, fast response times and low latency for higher fps support, and reduced energy usage for improved efficiency.

Apple is likely still early in the development of a microLED Apple Watch, and so the timelines could shift over the course of the next year. Young often provides accurate information thanks to his connections in the display industry, but sometimes his timing turns out to be off as Apple's plans evolve. Most importantly, this is additional confirmation that Apple is indeed pursuing microLED for future Apple Watch models.

Article Link: First MicroLED Apple Watch Now Rumored to Launch in 2025, Not 2024

 

[smirking]

If microLED is what finally gets a standard Apple Watch over the 3 day battery milestone, I'll be waiting in line with bells on to trade my FitBit for an Apple Watch on release day.

 

[bviktor]

It's either this, or blood glucose monitoring, that will make me upgrade from the Series 6. Or if it goes bust earlier, of course.

 

[AirunJae]

The screen generally looks great and is sufficiently bright. I'd be curious to see what kind of battery life gains it offers.

 

[oofio2461]

This will help the Smaller Apple Watch get more battery life, but I wonder how much extra this will cost if this is coming out in Spring.

 

[MacD]

Right, because all watches are released in the Spring. :/

 

[randyhudson]

Get ready for even thicker watches

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Sheeeesh! That’s a long time to wait. So are we not expecting major upgrades this year and the next year?

 

[surfzen21]

I just picked up and Ultra after originally getting and then returning the S8 45mm. Very happy with the purchase.

I currently get about 3 days of battery with sleep tracking and about 45 minutes of workouts every day. I don't have cellular connected thought.

Hoping I get 3-4 years out of it and the next time I want to upgrade its a substantial upgrade.

I wonder what I can sell it for in 3-4 years? 🤔

 

[gmarm]

Really hope that their goal with this is to improve battery life, whenever it comes. Having to charge daily is very much still a pain in the ass.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Really hope that their goal with this is to improve battery life, whenever it comes. Having to charge daily is very much still a pain in the ass.

Battery life has improved by a lot with an Apple Watch Ultra tho. You can easily get 3 days on a single charge.

 

[fuchsdh]

I would have kept my Series 4 if I hadn't cracked the screen badly, and my S7 gets multi-day battery life even with workouts as long as AOD is off, so in a few years I imagine it'll still manage to keep a full day going. 2025 is probably when I'd look to upgrade next, so curious to see what they've cooked up by then. At the very least, the SOC is getting long in the tooth, and there are actually okay smartwatch competitors again, so Apple should not rest on their laurels.

Get ready for even thicker watches

The Apple Watch: the only product Apple sells I actually want to be thinner

(Alternatively, boost the battery life, but I feel like the reality is with how much stuff they pack in and extending its capabilities that it'd be much easier to make it a little thinner than make it thick enough to get a true multi-day, all-workloads battery life out of it. They've also now got the Ultra to try and target those people.)

 

[AirunJae]

Sheeeesh! That’s a long time to wait. So are we not expecting major upgrades this year and the next year?

Sounds like it. I know it's disappointing to the diehards on MR, but more people (that own an iPhone) don't have an Apple watch than those that do and so the year-over-year doesn't necessarily have to be all that spectacular.

 

[anakin44011]

This is just terrible news...I mean, if there's one thing that the Apple Watch needs, it is:

- offering more accurate color (I can't believe how inaccurate the colors are on my current watch)

Or

- high contrast ratio for improved HDR (standard dynamic range on a watch is inexcusable)

Or

- fast response times and low latency for higher fps support (playing Fortnite is practically intolerable on my watch)

I refuse to buy another Apple product until they start innovating...

 

[aloyouis]

Still loving my 6 w/cellular. I wear it daily and all night. Charge it when I wake up while doing morning stuff, teeth, coffee, etc. Wear it to the gym at lunch. Charge it again after the gym while showering and that gets me through to the morning again.

Why am I stating this?

Apple needs to figure out a way to add significantly more value via capabilities or battery life for me to spend on a new watch.

 

[gk_brown]

Sheeeesh! That’s a long time to wait. So are we not expecting major upgrades this year and the next year?

Gotta focus on the VR glasses...

 

[Rychiar]

This is just terrible news...I mean, if there's one thing that the Apple Watch needs, it is:

- offering more accurate color (I can't believe how inaccurate the colors are on my current watch)

Or

- high contrast ratio for improved HDR (standard dynamic range on a watch is inexcusable)

Or

- fast response times and low latency for higher fps support (playing Fortnite is practically intolerable on my watch)

I refuse to buy another Apple product until they start innovating...

Accurate color? It’s a watch, who cares? What are you even testing on it to determine that.

 

[gk_brown]

This is just terrible news...I mean, if there's one thing that the Apple Watch needs, it is:

- offering more accurate color (I can't believe how inaccurate the colors are on my current watch)

Or

- high contrast ratio for improved HDR (standard dynamic range on a watch is inexcusable)

Or

- fast response times and low latency for higher fps support (playing Fortnite is practically intolerable on my watch)

I refuse to buy another Apple product until they start innovating...

I don't know what kind you have but the Ultra is pretty nice.

 

[surfzen21]

Accurate color? It’s a watch, who cares? What are you even testing on it to determine that.

I'm pretty sure their post was pure sarcasm 🥲

 

[Rychiar]

I'm pretty sure their post was pure sarcasm 🥲

wow its too early in the morning. I cant believe I didn't catch that lol

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Gotta focus on the VR glasses...

I’m starting to hate VR glasses now. Apple shouldn’t take its focus away from its existing product lineup. Small Incremental upgrades yet prices will stay the same or get higher.

 

[MayaUser]

Stop making things up,.at this point nobody knows...even the Mac Pro is hit and miss in rumours for a product that is months away...

 

[jz0309]

that timeline doesn't seem very credible to me ...

 

[SilenceBroken]

Not true. The rumor I'm hearing is 2028.

 

[Nozuka]

Battery life has improved by a lot with an Apple Watch Ultra tho. You can easily get 3 days on a single charge.

Sure, if you don't care how ugly and big it looks on most people