While OLED is the king of displays in mobile devices, brands are planning to switch to MicroLED screens in the future. These displays offer the best of both worlds as they can offer OLED-like perfect blacks and deep colors and LCD-like reliability. Apple is the first brand to be planning to use MicroLED screens on its smartwatches, and it could buy some of those panels from Samsung (via MacRumors).
Apple could buy 60% MicroLED panels for Apple Watch Ultra from LG Display and Samsung Display
The Apple Watch Ultra could be the first smartwatch to use a MicroLED screen, and it could be launched in 2024 or 2025. While Apple buys all its OLED screens for iPhones and Apple Watches from BOE, LG Display, and Samsung Display, it has plans to make MicroLED screens by itself rather than relying on other brands. However, since it is a new technology and production costs are high, Apple will take some time to start the production process fully. So, it might rely on LG Display and Samsung Display to get at least 60% of MicroLED panels.
According to a report from The Korea Herald, Apple will continue to rely on South Korean display panel manufacturers before it can produce all the MicroLED panels by itself. The company eventually plans to bring MicroLED panels to iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. Meanwhile, it will complete its LCD to OLED transition next year when it plans to launch OLED-equipped iPad Pros and MacBooks.
Samsung Display has already started working on MicroLED panels that it thinks could be used in the Apple Watch Ultra. The company is expecting to get a MicroLED manufacturing contract from Apple. It is also likely to supply two-stack OLED panels for the next-generation iPad Pro, offering higher brightness and longevity than regular OLED panels for tablets.
