14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is reportedly planning to start trial production of microLED displays at the end of this year, at its plant in northern Taiwan. Local reports suggest that trial production might start in the second half of 2017, at the earliest.
Ever since acquiring LuxVue back in 2014, Apple has been interested in the development of microLED displays, and the company plans to start trial production soon, despite some technical difficulties with the technology.
MicroLED displays result in lower power consumption compared to LED screens and deliver high levels of brightness, high color saturation, longer lifetimes, higher efficiency and ultra-high definition.
The company that Apple acquired, LuxVue, is rumored to have developed the display technology used in Google Glass and currently holds a patent for a touch display that incorporates sensing technology embedded into the device’s screen. The microLED technology is currently aimed towards watch displays, but also smartphones.
The report also revealed Foxconn’s plans to acquire display startup eLuxs through four subsidiaries, including Sharp. The acquisition will allow Foxconn to develop the “next-generation micro-LED display technology.” Sharp and the other three subsidiaries of Foxconn intend to invest massively in microSD displays.
Apple Watch Series 3 might not feature a microLED display
Apple has long been rumored to feature a microLED display in the upcoming Apple Watch Series 3, but considering that trial production will start this year, the next Apple Watch might stick to the OLED screen instead.
The report mentions that Apple isn’t the only company working on such a technology, PlayNitride is expected to install a production line for trial production of microLED screens in the second half of 2017. The startup has been targeted by Samsung, which means that the Korean manufacturer could soon develop and equip some of its products with microLED screens.
Apple intends to bring glucose monitoring to Apple Watch, without requiring users to draw blood. In addition, a number of smart bands are rumored.