Next Major Apple Watch Ultra Upgrade Rumored to Be MicroLED Display Technology

[MacRumors]

MicroLED display technology will be the next major upgrade coming to the Apple Watch Ultra, according to a Weibo leaker with a proven track record for disclosing accurate information about Apple's plans.

The account known as "Instant Digital" claims that the next worthwhile upgrade for the Apple Watch Ultra users will be Apple's custom microLED display technology, but the feature is not expected to launch next year. The source was first to report the iPhone 14's Yellow spring refresh, Spatial Video on the iPhone 15 Pro, and the Apple Watch Series 9's minor refresh, as well as the only rumor claiming that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would feature frosted back glass.

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. TrendForce claims that Apple's first microLED display will launch on a new Apple Watch Ultra model in 2026, due to supply chain adjustments, but some earlier reports placed the device's launch in 2025. 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.

Apple is believed to have spent more than six years developing microLED technology for what will become the first display custom-designed by the company itself, mirroring its work on Apple silicon. Apple reportedly kicked off the current form of its microLED project, codenamed T159, around 2017. At an earlier stage, it even wanted to introduce the technology with the iPhone X. The advanced display offers improved brightness, color reproduction, and viewing angles, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the display glass, and replace parts currently supplied by companies like Samsung and LG.

Article Link: Next Major Apple Watch Ultra Upgrade Rumored to Be MicroLED Display Technology

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

This will be stupidly expensive tech for a future Pro Display XDR, but my word I’m sure it’ll be worth it.

 

[StuBeck]

It feels like every year we're told about what the next year will include, and then as it gets closer we're told "oh wait, it might be next year...or the year after".

 

[jz0309]

the next worthwhile upgrade for the Apple Watch Ultra users will be Apple's custom microLED display technology,

had nothing to complain about the display on my first Ultra and not on Ultra 2 either - microLED is. not a reason to upgrade for me, new health sensors will be

 

[imlynxy]

… with the dimmest display in the history

 

[Skyscraperfan]

I just ordered an Apple Watch Ultra copy from China for a little over 6 Euros. Not sure how good it will be, but usually you get a pretty good value in China.

 

[Rafagon]

… with the dimmest display in the history

I was just about to complain about that but you beat me to the punch.

What's the use of 2000 nits if you'll only ever get that when the ambient light sensor decides to give it to you?

I'm also dumbfounded by the fact that you only get three brightness choices. Why not give us a slider like we get on the iPhone?

 

[Rafagon]

I just ordered an Apple Watch Ultra copy from China for a little over 6 Euros. Not sure how good it will be, but usually you get a pretty good value in China.

Are we talking about the same China?

Let us know how that goes. 😂

 

[sviato]

Would be great if the MR article detailed differences/benefits of microLED vs OLED…

 

[profets]

I love OLED displays but boy does microLED sound promising for future devices. Seems like it'll take time for it to become really feasible at volume. Not surprising that they'll start with the Watch first.

 

[jclardy]

Apple Watch upgrades have been pretty lackluster since S5 with always on, with the exception of the Ultra adding 2x battery, action button and flat display.

I'm not really sure what would get me to upgrade from my Ultra 1 at this point, but the display is perfectly fine.

 

[orbital~debris]

The source was first to report the iPhone 14's Yellow spring refresh, Spatial Video on the iPhone 15 Pro, and the Apple Watch Series 9's minor refresh, as well as the only rumor claiming that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would feature frosted back glass.

Quick, someone ask 'em about the next iMac! 🖥️

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

Bring it on!!! 🚀🥳

 

[Rychiar]

I remember when apple watch series 2 came out and I was expecting this for series 3😂 I'm glad I bought a series 9 this year. if and when this tech makes it into a watch will be my next update.. I dunno what people are thinking will change so much with Apple Watch 10 next year.

 

[supremedesigner]

If Apple offers one year return policy then I'm down for it. LOL

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I just ordered an Apple Watch Ultra copy from China for a little over 6 Euros. Not sure how good it will be, but usually you get a pretty good value in China.

Congrats on flushing 6 Euros down the toilet

 

[cocky jeremy]

I need something big to upgrade my watch. I rarely upgrade those.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Would be great if the MR article detailed differences/benefits of microLED vs OLED…

https://www.smartprix.com/bytes/micro-led-vs-oled-and-mini-led/# This is a good article on it. Also includes mini LED for fun.

 

[Hopefully Smarter]

I'm waiting for micro oleo, a more slippery screen that your finger just glides over.

 

[t0rqx]

The question now is: will it overheat?

Seriously. This upgrade means nothing. Unless battery life is improved by at least 80%.

 

[MuppetGate]

I just ordered an Apple Watch Ultra copy from China for a little over 6 Euros. Not sure how good it will be, but usually you get a pretty good value in China.

I’m pretty sure you’ll get precisely what you paid for.

 

[matrix07]

Would be great if the MR article detailed differences/benefits of microLED vs OLED…

Brighter. Less energy consumption. And no burn in to worry about so possibly we can have Stand By on all night long. 😄

(You can say that Apple created Stand By in anticipation of MicroLED)

 

[R2DHue]

MicroLED display technology will be the next major upgrade coming to the Apple Watch Ultra, according to a Weibo leaker with a proven track record for disclosing accurate information about Apple's plans.

The account known as "Instant Digital" claims that the next worthwhile upgrade for the Apple Watch Ultra users will be Apple's custom microLED display technology, but the feature is not expected to launch next year. The source was first to report the iPhone 14's Yellow spring refresh, Spatial Video on the iPhone 15 Pro, and the Apple Watch Series 9's minor refresh, as well as the only rumor claiming that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would feature frosted back glass.

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. TrendForce claims that Apple's first microLED display will launch on a new Apple Watch Ultra model in 2026, due to supply chain adjustments, but some earlier reports placed the device's launch in 2025. 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.

Apple is believed to have spent more than six years developing microLED technology for what will become the first display custom-designed by the company itself, mirroring its work on Apple silicon. Apple reportedly kicked off the current form of its microLED project, codenamed T159, around 2017. At an earlier stage, it even wanted to introduce the technology with the iPhone X. The advanced display offers improved brightness, color reproduction, and viewing angles, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the display glass, and replace parts currently supplied by companies like Samsung and LG.

Article Link: Next Major Apple Watch Ultra Upgrade Rumored to Be MicroLED Display Technology

I would have eagerly bought a non-Ultra new “iWatch” (I wish Apple had branded it) Series 9 if it had no new features but offered hours of additional battery life.

In this new Series 9 update, Apple hasn’t addressed the single biggest complaint and barrier for purchase by many consumers: battery life.

It still lasts just 18 hours, not even 22 or 24 hours (or more).

The Series 9 reportedly offers not 1 second of additional battery life over the Series 8, so I’m sticking with my Series 8 iWatch and won’t be buying the 9.

24 hours is the minimum amount of time for monitoring a person’s sleep and waking activities for one full day.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Still waiting on something new so I can upgrade from my S6.

 

[PsykX]

I don't think changing the display technology is to actually improve the display itself. The display is god damn perfect at this point. Perfect blacks, perfect contrast, perfect brightness under the sun, perfectly vivid colors, great viewing angles, good resolution, what else do you really want...

I suspect they're looking at this tech for collateral effects, like making the watch thinner and/or improving battery life.