MicroLED Apple Watch Still on Track for Late 2025 Launch

[MacRumors]

Apple's microLED Apple Watch is on track to launch in late 2025, according to Jeff Pu, a tech analyst at Hong Kong investment firm Haitong International Securities.

In a note to investors seen by MacRumors, Pu said that the first Apple Watch with a microLED display will launch in late 2025. The advanced display technology offers improved brightness, color reproduction, and viewing angles, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the glass.

Yesterday, a Weibo leaker reported that the next worthwhile upgrade for the Apple Watch Ultra users will be Apple's custom microLED display technology. Apple's plan to bring a microLED display to the Apple Watch Ultra is very widely corroborated, starting with a report from display analyst Ross Young in January.

After initially placing the device's launch in 2024, Young moved his forecast to the second-half of 2025. Bloomberg, on the other hand, reported a 2024 time frame earlier this year. TrendForce claims that Apple's first microLED display will launch on a new Apple Watch Ultra model in 2026, due to supply chain adjustments. With Young and Pu, as well as leaks on Weibo, now pointing to a launch in 2025, the microLED Apple Watch Ultra may launch sooner than previously expected.

The microLED display is expected to be 2.12-inches in size, a 10% increase over the display of the current Apple Watch Ultra. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported Apple is likely planning to bring custom microLED displays to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac after the technology debuts in a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra. He believes Apple's long-term plan is to bring microLED displays to all of its key products. Other reports from DigiTimes, Nikkei Asia, and The Information have indicated similar plans for Apple to transition to custom microLED displays across multiple product lines in an effort to become less reliant on Samsung.

Article Link: MicroLED Apple Watch Still on Track for Late 2025 Launch

 

[spcopsmac21]

Let me know when it can cook a roast. That’s what I’m waiting for.

 

[spartan1967]

Just in time to replace my AW7. Onward Apple!

 

[SpotOnT]

microLED can’t get to phones soon enough! To watches and beyond!

(So ready for these strobing OLED screens to be a thing of the past.)

 

[yegon]

More interested in sensors and their accuracy for my next Apple Watch (currently Ultra 1).

 

[Kissmo1980]

Went from s6 to U2 - I will upgrade to a newer tech next year only if it's a major difference.

 

[klasma]

microLED can’t get to phones soon enough! To watches and beyond!

(So ready for these strobing OLED screens to be a thing of the past.)

MicroLED will very likely use PWM as well. They shift color when the current level changes, which makes brightness control via analog current difficult if not impossible while maintaining color accuracy. Hence PWM is used to control brightness.

 

[shawnforever]

Pretty good. 3-4 years should be a good upgrade cycle for my AWU1. Battery is on 98% after one full year and I use it constantly.

 

[klasma]

Sounds like there’s still ample time to get off track again. 😀

In any case, it means that it won’t be the Watch X, unless they make a 9s next year.

 

[JulianL]

Reading about it the benefits sound good, something to look forward to, but if it's coming first to the Apple Watch Ultra in 2025 we probably have a while to go until we see it on iPhone let alone iPad. Maybe 2026 for non-Ultra watches if Apple wants to stick with small screens for another year then the iPhone Pro range in 2027?

 

[StuBeck]

Remember that this was first rumored for the S6...so I think we have a while before we can get our hopes up about it.

 

[Wiesenlooser]

Macrumors really milking this cow. This must be the 100th micro LED rumor.

See you next week when it says “micro LED delayed to 2026”

 

[dantracht]

Sounds like this might get me to finally move on from my 7.

 

[abatabia]

Might upgrade to this.

 

[spartan1967]

Macrumors really milking this cow. This must be the 100th micro LED rumor.

See you next week when it says “micro LED delayed to 2026”

Sounds like they have the correct name for this website then.

 

[mongobongo]

Ok Apple please also launch for regular Watch at the same time.

 

[scrapesleon]

Coming in 2024 now 2025 I’ll believe when I see it

 

[5232152]

Macrumors really milking this cow. This must be the 100th micro LED rumor.

See you next week when it says “micro LED delayed to 2026”

True, but what should they do? The site literally has rumors in the URL. They just relay what they find/are being told.

 

[the future]

Makes total sense. The Series Watches get a re-design every 3 years, if the Ultra is on the same cadence the first re-design would be planned for 2025. Hopefully micro LED is ready then.

 

[Sorinut]

This has been a rumor for so long that I don't even think Apple knows when they will switch to microled. I remember hearing that the series 6 would have it.

I expect my series 6 will last at least another year, if not a couple, so I'm set until this supposed change comes to fruition.

 

[IIGS User]

Let me know when it can cook a roast. That’s what I’m waiting for.

Your wait is over. Just get a 15 Pro and your Thanksgiving feast plans will fall right into place.

 

[willyx]

The average user won't know or care about this.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Sounds like this might get me to finally move on from my 7.

I too have an S7 and am waiting for a revolutionary upgrade like this.

Slightly off-topic, why does it say "Cancelled" under your profile name?

 

[MayaUser]

for the last years..we see a trend here...the apple watch set the tone in tech not the iphone
-oled apple watch first then iphone
-action button
-brighter display
-force touch
and so on
Next - microLED

 

[Juanchi007]

With any luck, this is hopefully a sign that MicroLED will be ready by 2027 for a 20th anniversary iPhone.