Apple Watch Micro-LED Technology Delayed until 2025 or Later, says Analyst

According to recent reports, Apple has decided to delay the transition of its Apple Watch display technology from OLED to micro-LED. Analyst Ross Young revealed the news on Twitter, stating that the shift will occur in the second half of 2025, at the earliest.

Earlier this year, analyst Jeff Pu reported that an Apple Watch Ultra featuring micro-LED technology and a larger screen was slated for 2024. Bloomberg also confirmed the report, stating that micro-LED would replace the displays in the “highest-end Apple Watches” by the end of 2024.

While Young did not provide any further details regarding the delay, the production challenges and extended timelines that come with adopting new technology are expected.

Currently, Apple Watches use OLED displays that have been in use since the first model's release in 2015. The micro-LED technology offers various improvements over OLED displays. For example, micro-LED can reach higher brightness levels and provide more consistent color output.

Additionally, micro-LED is less susceptible to burn-in artifacts and offers superior power efficiency than OLED. Bloomberg described the next-generation Apple Watch displays as having “brighter, more vibrant colors and the ability to be better seen at an angle.”

Apple’s decision to shift to micro-LED technology for its Apple Watch comes as the tech giant aims to use its own screens for the iPhone and Apple Watch. Currently, Apple relies on partners such as Samsung and LG for the displays used in its devices.