MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra May Be Delayed Due to Supply Chain Issues

[MacRumors]

Apple is widely expected to bring a microLED display to the Apple Watch Ultra, but a new report out of Korea suggests the company may not have the supply chain configured early enough to launch the device by 2026.

Throughout last year, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce predicted a 2026 launch timeframe for the device. That's later than several other sources, which have centered on 2025. However, according to The Elec, problems relating to high manufacturing costs and production yields remain the biggest obstacles to mass production of the microLED Apple Watch Ultra and could even delay the release beyond 2026.

Apple has reportedly been working on custom microLED display technology for almost a decade. The advanced display offers improved brightness, color reproduction, dynamic range, viewing angles, and efficiency, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the display glass.

The current Apple Watch Ultra has a display size of 1.93-inches, whereas the upcoming microLED model is expected to feature a 2.12-inch screen. Apple's problem is that the cost of manufacturing a screen with such a high pixel density is still considered prohibitive for a device that currently sells for $799. According to the report, simulation yields indicate a 2.12-inch screen costs as much as $150, which is four times the cost of producing the existing OLED display ($38). As a benchmark, consumer sales of products with a panel price of $150 are usually around $1,500.

For example, $150 is more expensive than it costs to make the OLED displays for the 6.1-inch and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15, which are $80 and $120, respectively. In terms of the cost of the panel right now, the microLED Apple Watch Ultra would have a higher price tag than Apple's latest premium iPhones. The issue is so problematic that even a 2027 release for the device could be overly optimistic, claims today's report.

Apple is said to have plans to replace all of its existing LCD, OLED, and mini-LED panels with microLED in the long term, with the technology being designed to be scaled up from the Apple Watch to the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro headset. The project is part of Apple's plan to reduce its reliance on Samsung as a supplier while reaping benefits from engineering its own displays in-house. But unless the company can get all its ducks in a row on the component supply chain side, microLED adoption could still be some way off.

Article Link: MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra May Be Delayed Due to Supply Chain Issues

 

[Wiesenlooser]

MicroLED seems to be always 2 years out... since 4 years already. And Macrumors is happy to give us any minute update regarding delays. this must have been the 200th article about MicroLEDs

 

[contacos]

to be really sustainable as they claim to be, Apple should honestly consider re-thinking their annual refresh of some of their products. I am sure a lot of attraction to a product can also be gathered with software improvements.

 

[Kylo83]

What’s wrong with what he have now, the watch is small you wouldn’t even notice a difference

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

to be really sustainable as they claim to be, Apple should honestly consider re-thinking their annual refresh of some of their products. I am sure a lot of attraction to a product can also be gathered with software improvements.

I get what you’re saying, and I agree to a point. But if Apple didn’t refresh their devices every year and everyone else did, customers would very likely leave because “ooh, shiny new toy over there!”

I do agree that certain software changes can make devices seem new again or revive some of the initial excitement that led to the original purchase.

 

[arkitect]

So going by the article, they could be looking at USD1,500 for an Ultra?
That is a bit rich for my blood.

This is not an heirloom…

What’s wrong with what he have now, the watch is small you wouldn’t even notice a difference

Agreed.

 

[orderoftheditch]

to be really sustainable as they claim to be, Apple should honestly consider re-thinking their annual refresh of some of their products. I am sure a lot of attraction to a product can also be gathered with software improvements.

Sustainability isn't a major factor as few upgrade to the latest and greatest with each refresh cycle.
All of the products with the exception of Vision Pro are very mature, frankly it is impossible to improve them year on year. Take the ipad, it is a rectangular slab, other than a slightly better display or a faster processor, outside of the software there isn't much more that can be improved.
I fail to see how Apple will still be able to release yearly iPhone updates soon, same goes for Samsung.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Sustainability isn't a major factor as few upgrade to the latest and greatest with each refresh cycle.
All of the products with the exception of Vision Pro are very mature, frankly it is impossible to improve them year on year. Take the ipad, it is a rectangular slab, other than a slightly better display or a faster processor, outside of the software there isn't much more that can be improved.
I fail to see how Apple will still be able to release yearly iPhone updates soon, same goes for Samsung.

They’ll do it by artificially limiting software 😒

 

[coolfactor]

to be really sustainable as they claim to be, Apple should honestly consider re-thinking their annual refresh of some of their products. I am sure a lot of attraction to a product can also be gathered with software improvements.

Ya, they can't win. If they don't update a product, it's labeled as "neglected", but if they do update, it's "forced obsolescence".

 

[jlc1978]

Sustainability isn't a major factor as few upgrade to the latest and greatest with each refresh cycle.
All of the products with the exception of Vision Pro are very mature, frankly it is impossible to improve them year on year. Take the ipad, it is a rectangular slab, other than a slightly better display or a faster processor, outside of the software there isn't much more that can be improved.
I fail to see how Apple will still be able to release yearly iPhone updates soon, same goes for Samsung.

As you pointed out, a slightly better display or a faster processor, is enough to drive upgrades. Some people just want the new shiny, and others a re upgrading older phones. A two year cycle would likely mean slumping sales as people view the phones as old and wait for the newer one.

 

[imlynxy]

No oxygen, no micro led, no….. soon Apple sell just a band.

 

[jonnysods]

I have a fever for an AW2, but my wallet does not. Saving up my pennies for version 3 so who knows if it miroled will be in that one. More interested in battery life and updated SIP.

 

[StuBeck]

MicroLED seems to be always 2 years out... since 4 years already. And Macrumors is happy to give us any minute update regarding delays. this must have been the 200th article about MicroLEDs

My Apple Watch Series 6 was supposed to have microleds. Its not a dead tech, but when they can still sell a ton of devices while actively removing features, why innovate?

 

[spartan1967]

What’s wrong with what he have now, the watch is small you wouldn’t even notice a difference

Indeed. Instead, invest your capital in the watch with features that will actually make a real difference like blood pressure & glucose monitoring.

 

[Alpha God Vonn]

Sustainability isn't a major factor as few upgrade to the latest and greatest with each refresh cycle.
All of the products with the exception of Vision Pro are very mature, frankly it is impossible to improve them year on year. Take the ipad, it is a rectangular slab, other than a slightly better display or a faster processor, outside of the software there isn't much more that can be improved.
I fail to see how Apple will still be able to release yearly iPhone updates soon, same goes for Samsung.

They can create a Foldable iPad Pro , 2. With zero creases. 3. Dual layer Oled. 4. Large Oled Apple logo on back for notifications & charging. 5. Add 2-3 USB-C ports, 6. Add the headphone jack back. 7. Add an SD-card slot 8. Make the screen work with wet hands. 9. Water proof design. 10. 2mm M5 chip. 11. Under display Face ID 3.0, 12. 32MP under display Front camera. 13. Add 3 vibration motors . 14. Under display speakers . 15. Titanium frame mixed with aluminum & glass back like on the iPhone 5S. 16. While folded you can’t open IPad without finger print on Apple Logo .

Look how many innovations I just added to the iPad .

 

[SpanishAppleNerd]

Indeed. Instead, invest your capital in the watch with features that will actually make a real difference like blood pressure & glucose monitoring.

That's what I am waiting for. As soon as the Ultra gets that I'll exchange my 2022 SE for it gladly, microLED or not

 

[cocky jeremy]

Sustainability isn't a major factor as few upgrade to the latest and greatest with each refresh cycle.
All of the products with the exception of Vision Pro are very mature, frankly it is impossible to improve them year on year. Take the ipad, it is a rectangular slab, other than a slightly better display or a faster processor, outside of the software there isn't much more that can be improved.
I fail to see how Apple will still be able to release yearly iPhone updates soon, same goes for Samsung.

iPhones can be sold on camera upgrades alone. Battery capacity, too.

 

[Howard2k]

to be really sustainable as they claim to be, Apple should honestly consider re-thinking their annual refresh of some of their products. I am sure a lot of attraction to a product can also be gathered with software improvements.

Apple isn’t making you upgrade annually.

 

[Arran]

…The advanced display offers improved brightness, color reproduction, dynamic range, viewing angles, and efficiency, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the display glass…

... According to the report, simulation yields indicate a 2.12-inch screen costs as much as $150, which is four times the cost of producing the existing OLED display ($38).…

To summarize: MicroLED adds $112 cost (ignoring Apple’s markup) to swap an already excellent screen for one that’s a teeny-weeny bit more excellent?

Seems pointless.

 

[arkitect]

Apple isn’t making you upgrade annually.

Oh I dunno… they're trying their damnedest! 😁 And I'm often weak willed.

 

[Adreitz]

MicroLED seems to be always 2 years out... since 4 years already.

Maybe we should collectively adopt the same mentality as with fusion energy production and just say it's 25 years out.

 

[Fandroid killer]

Apple is widely expected to bring a microLED display to the Apple Watch Ultra, but a new report out of Korea suggests the company may not have the supply chain configured early enough to launch the device by 2026.

Throughout last year, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce predicted a 2026 launch timeframe for the device. That's later than several other sources, which have centered on 2025. However, according to The Elec, problems relating to high manufacturing costs and production yields remain the biggest obstacles to mass production of the microLED Apple Watch Ultra and could even delay the release beyond 2026.

Apple has reportedly been working on custom microLED display technology for almost a decade. The advanced display offers improved brightness, color reproduction, dynamic range, viewing angles, and efficiency, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the display glass.

The current Apple Watch Ultra has a display size of 1.93-inches, whereas the upcoming microLED model is expected to feature a 2.12-inch screen. Apple's problem is that the cost of manufacturing a screen with such a high pixel density is still considered prohibitive for a device that currently sells for $799. According to the report, simulation yields indicate a 2.12-inch screen costs as much as $150, which is four times the cost of producing the existing OLED display ($38). As a benchmark, consumer sales of products with a panel price of $150 are usually around $1,500.

For example, $150 is more expensive than it costs to make the OLED displays for the 6.1-inch and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15, which are $80 and $120, respectively. In terms of the cost of the panel right now, the microLED Apple Watch Ultra would have a higher price tag than Apple's latest premium iPhones. The issue is so problematic that even a 2027 release for the device could be overly optimistic, claims today's report.

Apple is said to have plans to replace all of its existing LCD, OLED, and mini-LED panels with microLED in the long term, with the technology being designed to be scaled up from the Apple Watch to the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro headset. The project is part of Apple's plan to reduce its reliance on Samsung as a supplier while reaping benefits from engineering its own displays in-house. But unless the company can get all its ducks in a row on the component supply chain side, microLED adoption could still be some way off.

Article Link: MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra May Be Delayed Due to Supply Chain Issues

Can't wait for these microLED displays. Truly game changers. We might finally see a see through glass slab phone with all the hardware packed into a rectangle on the bottom of the phone.

 

[Fandroid killer]

To summarize: MicroLED adds $112 cost (ignoring Apple’s markup) to swap an already excellent screen for one that’s a teeny-weeny bit more excellent?

Seems pointless.

MicroLED will be worth every extra dollar apple slaps on top of the price. Considering it's being advertised as an outdoor device, the display will be able to achieve up to 5000 nits in early models and make its way to 10,000+ in the first few generations. On top of the brightness, which is very useful for intense sunlight environments, early models of microLED can achieve over 90% of the BT.2020 color gamut, which modern OLED and LED displays can only achieve between 60-80%. You get brighter, more vibrant colors, longer shelf life, no burn in, higher PPI, less energy usage, the ability to have zero bezels, and more. You should be excited since the display is what you stare at all day

 

[turbineseaplane]

No oxygen, no micro led, no….. soon Apple sell just a band.

Funny you say that

I really wish Apple would just sell a Fitness Band with basically no screen (maybe just the time on a super efficient display) and its whole purpose is tracking metrics but you only view all of that data on your iPhone

Think of like the Nike Fuel Band from 10-12 years ago, but by Apple.

It would fly off the shelves

 

[Arran]

MicroLED will be worth every extra dollar apple slaps on top of the price. Considering it's being advertised as an outdoor device, the display will be able to achieve up to 5000 nits in early models and make its way to 10,000+ in the first few generations. On top of the brightness, which is very useful for intense sunlight environments, early models of microLED can achieve over 90% of the BT.2020 color gamut, which modern OLED and LED displays can only achieve between 60-80%. You get brighter, more vibrant colors, longer shelf life, no burn in, higher PPI, less energy usage, the ability to have zero bezels, and more. You should be excited since the display is what you stare at all day

Those are impressive, big-leap numbers, but 3000 nits on my Ultra is already sufficient in direct sun. Better colors, burn in, shelf life are all impressive technical achievements but in a watch with maybe a 3-4 year lifespan the end-user benefit seems marginal and not worth it at the slated price.

That said, zero bezels would be nice. And more nits would make a better flashlight. That would be handy because I use mine a lot.