In March 2024, Apple decided to cancel its microLED project to develop and produce its own wearable display. Apple started developing microLED displays for wearable devices years ago, first aiming to launch the first product in 2023. The project was delayed several times, as the cost of production for microLED displays was too high for Apple, to the point where it was suggested Apple's goal is to launch the first microLED watch in 2027. But that project was cancelled.
Apple's decision made many people pessimistic about microLED displays, especially in the near term. We already posted an article speculating how Apple's decision may affect the industry. And as we also know, Apple has several other active microLED projects still under development.
A twitter account (@Jukanlosreve) that is new but said to be reputable under a different username, now suggests that Apple indeed has not given up on microLEDs. Apple is still developing an AR headset based on microLED microdisplays, which it hopes to release in 2026. The company also still plans to release a microLED smartwatch in 2026.
Regarding an AR device, microLEDs are indeed considered to be the best technology, and indeed most high-end AR developers adopt microLEDs - even though the industry is not yet ready to support a mass market application. So it will not be a huge surprise if Apple indeed is looking into microLEDs for AR headsets.
For a smartwatch device, this will be more interesting to watch. It could be that Apple indeed gave up on in-house microLED display production (which was bad news for ams-Osram, KLA, Kulicke & Soffa and others) but the company could still decide to source its microLED displays - for example from AUO which is entering production or from Samsung perhaps.
It is too early to tell, but we find it hard to believe that any company in the industry will have the capacity to produce a large number of microLED wearable displays in 2026. It could be that Apple is again overly optimistic, or that it only aims to acquire a limited number of displays for a high-premium Watch device. Time will tell!
