Apple Cancels Micro-LED Project?

[dada_dave]

I already wrote about it here. But then I thought maybe it deserves its own thread particularly in light of the Car project being canceled. Then again maybe the comms project, Apple WiFi/Cellular, will also get canned and we should merge all the canceled projects threads into one mega thread?

Anyway I had hopes for the display project but it kept getting delayed with rumors of problems. Also have hopes for the comms project but I have to admit that one doesn’t look too good either.

However, not everyone agrees that project is dead:

Micro-LED Apple Watch Ultra project is unlikely to have been cancelled

Ah, the joys of Apple supply-chain reports. Two reports yesterday said that Apple’s micro-LED Apple Watch Ultra project was apparently...

9to5mac.com

 

[leman]

This doesn’t mean that microLED is entirely of the table yet though, right? Some tech needs a while to mature. I’d love to see microLED sooner rather than later but the adoption cost is a concern. Apple devices are already expensive.

 

[Yoused]

This story mentions Apple as a likely cornerstone-project company

ams Osram hit by major microLED cancellation

Stock price plunges in value after key customer unexpectedly cancels 'cornerstone' project.

optics.org

 

[dada_dave]

This doesn’t mean that microLED is entirely of the table yet though, right? Some tech needs a while to mature. I’d love to see microLED sooner rather than later but the adoption cost is a concern. Apple devices are already expensive.

It depends on which version of events you believe:

A) that this was just a cancellation of work with an individual possible supplier of micro-LED

OR

B) that this was THE supplier Apple was to rely on and Apple not only cancelled their contract with them but also disbanded their own teams working on micro-LED technology

While micro-LED technology may yet come to fruition, obviously B is much worse and signals that it will be very far away.

So far, we have suggestions of both.

 

[Jimmyjames]

Apparently Gurman doubts it was cancelled.

https://x.com/markgurman/status/1763297383046365515

 

[Cmaier]

Apparently Gurman doubts it was cancelled.

https://x.com/markgurman/status/1763297383046365515

Me too.

I just hope they don’t go with Nichia.

 

[dada_dave]

Macrumors is now backtracking despite Kuo stating his belief that the project is cancelled. However the source is digitimes, so …

Apple Still Plans MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra, Seeks New Suppliers

Apple remains committed to microLED, despite suggestions that its project to bring the display technology to Apple Watch Ultra has been ditched,...

www.macrumors.com

(In fairness backed by other sources saying the same thing like Trendforce and Gurman)

 

[dada_dave]

Gurman now backtracking ... agree that the microLED project has been completely cancelled for now.

Apple Drops Plans to Develop MicroLED Displays for Apple Watch

Apple has ended a project to develop microLED displays in-house, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in a reversal of his prior reporting on the...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Jimmyjames]

Gurman now backtracking ... agree that the microLED project has been completely cancelled for now.

Apple Drops Plans to Develop MicroLED Displays for Apple Watch

Apple has ended a project to develop microLED displays in-house, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in a reversal of his prior reporting on the...

www.macrumors.com

Ah shit.