The use of MicroLED screens was one of the most anticipated new features for the future of the Apple Watch Ultra, however, everything indicates that the North American technology company has given up on the project. This reality has now become clearer after renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared the news.
Despite Apple's efforts to integrate screens with MicroLED technology into the Apple Watch Ultra, the project was not “economically viable”. This is a major setback to the company's plans and is expected to lead to the dismissal of several employees involved in the project.
Apple Micro LED update:1. My latest survey indicates that Apple has canceled the Micro LED Apple Watch projects because Apple thinks that Micro LED can’t add significant value to this product, and the production costs are too high to make it economically viable.2. Apple has…
— Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) March 1, 2024
MicroLED display does not add significant value to the Apple Watch Ultra
Ming-Chi Kuo was not the first to realize that Apple had abandoned this project. A report from Counterpoint Reasearch pointed in the same direction, stating that the company OSRAM had received the unexpected cancellation of an important project.
Kuo, however, explains the issue a little more and explains the reasons that led to Apple's decision. According to him, the North American technology company abandoned this project due to the amounts involved.
“My latest research indicates that Apple has canceled Apple Watch MicroLED designs because Apple believes MicroLED cannot add significant value to this product and production costs are too high to make it economically viable.”
In other words, the value that adopting this type of panel would bring to the Apple Watch Ultra does not justify the values involved in its production. To avoid an unjustified increase in the price of its robust watch, the company chose to abandon the project.
Note, however, that Apple did not make this decision lightly. This decision constitutes a major setback for Apple, which aims to make its products more competitive by owning the next generation of screen technology.
Ming-Chi Kuo also points out that OSRAM was Apple's only partner in supplying LED chips for these screens. By canceling this partnership, everything indicates that the North American company has no plans to use this type of screens in the near future.