Apple plans to mass produce its own microLED displays in order to lessen its reliance on Samsung and increase its own control over supply, reports Nikkei Asia.
As the article notes, “taking a hands-on approach to production is a stark contrast to the iPhone maker’s usual approach of providing display makers with screen specifications and leaving the actual production to them.”
The mass transfer step involves moving at least tens of thousands of tiny micro-LED chips onto substrates. Nikkei Asia say this process will be carried out at Apple’s secretive R&D facilities in the Longtan District in the northern Taiwanese city of Taoyuan, according to multiple people with direct knowledge of the project.
According to TrendForce, Apple is expected to adopt micro-LED for its consumer electronic products in the close future.
The Apple Watch will likely be the first among Apple’s products to feature a micro-LED display, and the adoption is anticipated to occur in 2024. Then, during the period from 2026 to 2030, the application scope of micro-LED could expand to encompass AR headset displays, smartphone displays, automotive displays, etc.
TrendForce believes Apple will make a breakthrough for its smartwatch in 2024 by incorporating micro-LED. With this technology, the display of the Apple Watch could exceed two inches and achieve an even higher contrast level. Such improvements would satisfy the viewing needs of professionals and enthusiasts of various outdoor sporting activities, notes the research group.
What’s more, TrendForce says if Apple wants to release an AR headset or a pair of AR glasses that features a completely transparent display in the future, then micro-LED is most likely its first choice for the display technology. Regarding the smartphone market, most brands in the Android camp have made foldable OLED display a main design feature for their upcoming flagship models.
However, Apple as the second largest smartphone brand has yet to enter the much-discussed market segment for foldable OLED models. TrendForce believes a possible reason as to why Apple is slow to enter this segment is its focus on micro-LED.
In addition to rigid backplanes that have glass and CMOS, Micro LED is also highly suitable for flexible backplanes made of PI or other kinds of materials with similar attributes. However, the Sellers Research Group (that’s me) doesn’t think Apple will release a foldable iPhone.
