Apple Scraps Plans for MicroLED Display for Apple Watch

Apple has made the decision to abandon its plans to develop a MicroLED display for the Apple Watch. This decision was reportedly made due to the high costs and complexity associated with the development of the display. The company stopped working on the project around the same time it decided to cancel work on a self-driving car. This suggests that Apple found the development of the MicroLED display to be economically unviable.

As a result of discontinuing the project, Apple has cut several dozen engineering jobs. These job cuts reportedly affected employees at the company’s own screen manufacturing facility in California. This move indicates the significant impact that the decision to scrap the MicroLED display development has had on Apple’s workforce.

Rumors about Apple working on its own MicroLED displays for the Apple Watch had surfaced last year. It was speculated that Apple was preparing to release a new Apple Watch with MicroLED displays in 2024 or 2025. This move was seen as a way for Apple to reduce its reliance on display designs from companies like Samsung or LG. While Apple currently uses OLED displays in its Apple Watch, the potential benefits of switching to MicroLED displays were unclear.

Potential Future Developments

Despite the decision to cancel the in-house MicroLED display project, it does not seem like Apple is completely giving up on MicroLED technology. The company may still explore ways to leverage MicroLED displays in the future, possibly in different products or applications. The efficiency and other advantages of MicroLED displays may make them appealing for Apple in the long run.

Apple’s decision to scrap the plans for a MicroLED display for the Apple Watch highlights the challenges faced by the company in developing new technologies. The high production costs and complexity of the project ultimately led to its discontinuation. However, Apple’s willingness to explore innovative technologies like MicroLED displays demonstrates its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in consumer electronics.