A future Apple Watch Extremely could possibly be among the many first merchandise to get microLED show know-how.
Regardless of claims on the contrary, Apple is claimed to be nonetheless planning the usage of microLED in future merchandise such because the Apple Watch Extremely and a rumored follow-on to the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.
The report means that Apple’s alleged AR glasses utilizing microLED screens will enter mass manufacturing someday in 2026. It additionally says {that a} plan to make use of microLED in a future Apple Watch Extremely may even occur in 2026.
On condition that the common Apple Watch was up to date to Collection 10 in September 2024, it will appear extra possible that an Apple Watch Extremely Collection 3 may arrive in some unspecified time in the future in late 2025.
Apple launched the unique Apple Watch Extremely in September of 2022, and the Apple Watch Extremely 2 in September of 2023. For September 2024, the corporate opted to supply a brand new black coloration choice to the present mannequin.
Apple has not given up on Micro LED know-how.
1. They’re getting ready Micro LED for AR glasses, with mass manufacturing anticipated in 2026.
2. The plan to incorporate Micro LED within the Apple Watch Extremely can also be nonetheless in place, with a goal launch in 2026.
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) October 5, 2024
Apple and microLED know-how
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in March of 2024 that Apple had deserted the thought of utilizing a microLED show for a 3rd sequence of Apple Watch Extremely, on account of price. One of many suppliers who Apple organized for microLED manufacturing, LG Show, requested for compensation after the challenge was shelved.
MicroLED know-how is just like common LEDs, however on the micron stage. The benefit of microLED is that it may supply OLED-like distinction and brightness, however with out requiring a backlight panel.
As a substitute, the microLEDs are used on to make the image. They’re deposited in a sample, with every capable of show pink, inexperienced, or blue gentle. This additionally eliminates the necessity for a coloration filtering layer.
Earlier reviews quoting dependable sources like Ross Younger supported the notion that the Apple Watch Extremely would acquire a microLED-based show in 2025. This contradicted a declare from analyst Jeff Pu that the know-how would arrive in 2024, which turned out to be incorrect.
The brand new declare stems from a latest account on X.com beneath the identify “Jukanlosreve,” who seems to be the identical one who previously posted leaks beneath the names “Revegnus” and “Tech_reve.” Beneath the earlier names, they’ve stated {that a} second-generation Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional would possibly launch in 2026 at half its present value, which is inside the realm of believable.
That stated, they’ve additionally supported claims that Apple had deserted its efforts to create an in-house 5G modem. The brand new modem is now anticipated to debut within the subsequent version of the iPhone SE.
As well as, their preliminary prediction for the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional was that Apple would promote 1,000,000 models of the AR/VR headset in 2024. At present, the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional is estimated to have bought round half that variety of models.
