After a supplier and analysts claimed last week that they believe Apple has cancelled microLED display development, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman countered, stating "not true".

Since at least 2014, when Apple acquired LuxVue, the company has been developing microLED display technology intended for the Apple Watch and later other products, according to sources. MicroLED has the potential to challenge OLED with even brighter and longer-lasting screens.

New claims suggest that Apple has abandoned its microLED project.

 Also read: First look: Samsung's 110" microLED TV

The initial word came when Austrian supplier AMS Osram confirmed on a conference call that "a cornerstone project underpinning its microLED strategy got unexpectedly cancelled today" by a partner believed to be Apple. AMS Osram was constructing a $1.41 billion factory in Malaysia.

However, AMS Osram added that "discussions with the related customer are ongoing".


Analysts support Apple connection
Shortly after, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo chimed in to support the connection with Apple.

- "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," wrote Ming-Chi Kuo. "Apple has laid off many people from the Micro LED development team. There’s currently no visibility on any Micro LED-related projects."

- "And you need an LTPS backplane and a way to transfer the MicroLEDs to the backplane. Those projects were also canceled," added Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC).


 MicroLEDs are tiny light emitting diodes that can be used as pixels in a display. Here's Samsung's 'The Wall'. Photo: FlatpanelsHD

"Not true", says Gurman
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who routinely reports on unreleased Apple projects and products, is not buying it.

- "AMS-Osram was one supplier in the Apple Watch Ultra microLED project. There are several others. I doubt it was canceled," Mark Gurman wrote on X.

Gurman added that it is "not true" that AMS Osram is the sole supplier, and that he is "looking forward to getting my microLED watch in a few years".

 Also read: AUO to start microLED production: Smartwatch displays first, TVs to follow

Analyst firm TrendForce added that Taiwanese and South Korean "are ready to fill the gap and offer Apple an opportunity to seek new supply chain partners".

While it certainly seems plausible that Apple has severed ties with AMS Osram – and that microLED displays remain a huge challenge – there is not yet consensus that Apple has abandoned its plans for microLED displays for Apple Watch and other products in the future.

- Source: AMS Osram, AppleInsider, Mark Gurman, TrendForce