Rumors about Samsung wanting to manufacture Micro LED displays for smartwatches first emerged at the beginning of the year. But earlier this week, Micro LED smartwatch panels made it back in the headlines, as Samsung subtly confirmed it may use this technology for its future Galaxy wearables.
In a press release about Micro LED technology published a few days ago, Samsung said it is considering extending the application of Micro LED to signages and small displays, such as smartwatch panels.
This brief mention of Micro LED panels for wrist wearables may have been translated too enthusiastically by some market watchers who are seemingly hoping that Samsung's first Micro LED smartwatch will be released next year. But a 2024 release might not happen after all.
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It's more a question of “when” rather than “if”
With even Samsung acknowledging the benefits of Micro LED panels for smartwatches, there's almost no doubt that future Galaxy Watch models will boast this display technology. Rumors also indicate that Apple wants to adopt the tech for its own smartwatches. And if true, Samsung Display will undoubtedly strive to fill the shoes of a primary micro LED supplier for Apple.
In Samsung Mobile's camp, some say the company's first Micro LED smartwatch will supposedly be known as the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Regardless of its name, the first Micro LED Watch won't be released next year, according to X (formerly Twitter) tipster @Tech_Reve. “I can guarantee that the Watch 7 [Ultra] is not equipped with Micro LED,” he said in response to a rumor about Samsung planning to introduce a Micro LED smartwatch next year.
In light of these events, it's possible that the first Micro LED Galaxy Watch will be released in 2025 or later.
SamMobile Samsung Expert Mihai Matei Note: I'm inclined to believe that the release of the first Micro LED smartwatch will depend very much on Apple's plans and Samsung Display's contribution to the emerging Micro LED watch panel market as a supplier.
Whether Apple or Samsung will be the first to release a Micro LED smartwatch is to be determined. Nevertheless, for Samsung MX (Mobile eXperience), this transition may depend a lot on Apple's progress in this area and how much or little Apple will rely on Samsung Display's manufacturing prowess.
In a manner of speaking, the release of the first Micro LED Apple Watch and the first Micro LED Galaxy Watch may be co-dependent and intertwined.
