A new report by Digitimes claims that Apple are set to begin work on a new series of microLED devices some time this year:
“Recent market speculations indicate that Apple is likely to crank out a small volume of micro LED display products from its plant in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan at the end of the year.
Taiwan-based innovative startup PlayNitride, which was reportedly targeted by Samsung Electronics for possible acquisition, is expected to install a production line for trial production of micro LED products in the second half of 2017, the sources indicated.”
Digitimes has a variable track record, however, so it’s unclear to tell just how much weight we can put behind this report but the timing of such a project by Apple wouldn’t be misplaced.
Apple bought the micro LED company LuxVue back in 2014 and since then reports have claimed that the company will be making the switch at any time, the most recent regarding the Apple Watch. The watch would be a feasible option for the switch considering both the display and battery size. Another report came from the display panel maker Innolux who claimed that Apple will start doing the same with iPads and iPhones although some are expecting it to come to TVs beforehand.
MicroLED is a microscopic version of the conventional LEDs, an array of which make up each pixel. It is both brighter and more energy efficient than OLED which is something that many are expecting to see in the upcoming iPhone. At present, Apple continue to use LCD in their iPhones and iPads so an upgrade to OLED is almost certainly set in stone.
