Joe Rossignol
Apple supplier OSRAM announced on Wednesday that it would “reconsider its microLED strategy” after a “cornerstone project” was “abruptly cancelled” that day. The company's shares fell by almost 40% after the news previously published by AppleInsider.
Counterpoint Consultants Display Supply Chain Research told MacRumors that they believe the project is related to the rumored Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display. The research firm said that poor performance as well as high costs and risks are likely the main reasons for the cancellation of the project with OSRAM's AMS. The firm said it remains to be seen whether Apple will look for another supplier or stick with OLED displays for the Apple Watch.
OSRAM said that “discussions with the relevant customer are ongoing,” so the Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display is not completely ruled out, and its appearance may simply be delayed. The device was expected to launch in 2025 or 2026, depending on the source, but its release could take even longer, if ever, given this latest development.
Apple is believed to be actively developing microLED. technology since it acquired California-based LuxVue in 2014. The benefits of microLED displays over OLED displays generally include increased brightness, increased power efficiency, higher contrast ratio and more, but the technology is still expensive.
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