Apple Watch Tipped To Move From OLED To Micro-LED In 2017

One of the biggest ongoing rumors for the next few years of iPhones is that Apple will switch the smartphone's display from LCD to OLED. This has previously been expected to take place in 2017, but recently analysts have pushed that prediction back to 2018. However, it seems the same timeframe will see a change in the Apple Watch's display technology as well, the latest report from Taiwan's DigiTimes indicates.

Unnamed supply chain sources have told the website that Apple's smartwatch will switch from its existing OLED display to Micro-LED panels. This is suggested to take place towards the end of 2017, indicating that the new screen will debut on the "Apple Watch 3," seeing as how the second-generation wearable is expected to be announced later this year.

There's no reason provided for why Apple would move the Apple Watch away from OLED, especially at the same time as the company is trying to ramp-up production of the display technology for future iPhones. However, Micro-LED panels are said to be thinner, brighter, and use less power than LCD displays as they don't require backlighting.

On the other hand, Micro-LED is currently more expensive and more difficult to produce on a large scale than OLED displays. Back in 2014, Apple did acquire LuxVue Technology, which is known for producing Micro-LED panels. Assuming DigiTimes' report is accurate, Apple may have found a way to make use of that purchase.

SOURCE DigiTimes