LG Display to produce microLED for upcoming Apple Watch
According to a recent report from Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), it appears that Apple will continue to rely on partners for the production of its displays, despite previous reports suggesting that the company would transition to producing its custom displays.
This report contradicts the earlier claims that Apple is planning to reduce its reliance on display suppliers like Samsung and LG by transitioning to its own custom displays, starting with the microLED display for the Apple Watch Ultra in late 2024.
Young stated that “Apple won’t be making the screens entirely on its own.” This means that the company will continue to rely on partners for the production of its displays, at least to some extent. The report also confirms that the upcoming Apple Watch is expected to feature a custom microLED screen, with production being handled by LG Display.
LG Display is currently building a small-scale production line to provide microLED backplanes for Apple, with production set to begin in the second half of 2024. This small line will likely assemble micro-LEDs from Apple for a launch in 2025. However, it should be noted that Apple will not be doing the full process of producing the micro-LEDs themselves.
This report suggests that even though Apple is planning to reduce its reliance on display suppliers, it will still rely on partners for the production of its displays. The company’s move towards microLED displays is a significant shift in its display technology strategy and the company will likely continue to explore new technologies and partnerships in the future to reduce its reliance on display suppliers and improve the performance and quality of its products.