Apple could switch from an OLED display to a microLED display in Apple Watch Ultra in 2024, according to tech analyst Jeff Pu.

In 2014, Apple acquired a company involved with microLED research called LuxVue and Apple has reportedly for years operated research and test production facilities in Santa Clara, California, and Taiwan.

The first Apple product to get microLED could be the Apple Watch Ultra – the company's high-end sports watch. At least if we are to believe analyst Jeff Pu from Hong Kong investment firm Haitong International Securities who has in the past correctly predicted developments related to Apple but also gotten it wrong a number of times.

He claims that Apple Watch Ultra is likely to switch from OLED to a larger 2.1-inch microLED display in 2024, according to a report by Macrumors who has obtained Jeff Pu's research note.

To be clear, microLED is different from the miniLED backlight used in many LCD TVs today. With microLED the LCD panel is removed and each of the tiny microLED pixels generate their own light and color – like OLED.


 Apple Watch Ultra currently has an OLED display. Photo: Apple

This would represent a major transition for Apple who is currently hard at work transitioning from LCD to OLED across its product categories. In addition to Apple Watch and iPhone, iPad and Mac products are expected to switch to OLED displays starting in 2024.

MicroLED has the potential to make Apple Watch Ultra's display even brighter which can benefit outdoor use. MicroLED can also maintain color saturation at very high brightness levels.

- Source: MacRumors