Apple to Mass Produce MicroLED Displays, Aiming for Future iPhone Integration

Apple has made significant strides in its microLED display research and development, with plans to mass produce the displays in-house. This move is part of Apple's strategy to reduce its dependence on Samsung and gain more control over its supply chain, ultimately paving the way for the integration of microLED technology into iPhones.

Over the past decade, Apple has invested at least $1 billion in microLED research and development. Once production begins, Apple will take on the critical "mass transfer" step in the manufacturing process, involving the placement of tens of thousands of microLED chips onto substrates.

The company intends to fabricate the microLED chips directly on wafers and has established partnerships with ams-Osram for microLED components, LG Display for substrates, and TSMC for 12-inch wafers. Apple's secretive research and development facilities in the Longtan District of Taoyuan, Taiwan, will be responsible for carrying out this process.

Apple has dedicated R&D teams in the United States, Taiwan, and Japan, focusing on microLED display technology. It has not only designed the driver-integrated circuits for the microLED screens but has also developed some of the production equipment itself to enhance control over the mass transfer process. This strategic move enables Apple to potentially replace OLED panels, traditionally supplied by Samsung and other vendors, with microLED displays in its products.

While microLED display production poses challenges and higher manufacturing costs, Apple plans to introduce the technology initially in the Apple Watch Ultra before scaling it up for mass production in iPhones. The aim is to leverage the benefits of microLED displays, including higher brightness, reduced power consumption, improved contrast ratio, and other advancements compared to current iPhones equipped with OLED displays.

Although the Apple Watch Ultra is not expected to incorporate microLED until 2025, it indicates Apple's long-term vision for the technology's adoption in its flagship revenue source, the iPhone. As the company continues to innovate and invest, the arrival of an iPhone featuring microLED technology is still several years away. In the meantime, all upcoming iPhone 15 models, set for release later this year, are anticipated to utilize OLED displays.