Apple to Make Custom Displays In-House, Starting With MicroLED for Apple Watch Ultra in 2024

Starting in 2024, Apple plans to use custom displays that it designs in-house for mobile devices like the iPhone and Apple Watch, reports Bloomberg. The shift to its own displays will allow Apple to rely less on display partners that include Samsung and LG.

apple watch ultra cyber
Apple's transition will begin with the high-end Apple Watch Ultra at the end of 2024, with the device set to adopt microLED display technology. After introducing microLED displays in the Apple Watch, Apple will expand them to the ‌iPhone‌ and other devices. The displays will likely be manufactured by an outside supplier, but designed by Apple.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is making a "sweeping effort" to make more of its own components for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, so that it does not need to work with as many third-party component suppliers. Apple is now creating its own A-series and M-series chips for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and it is also working on modem chips and other wireless chips that will let it end its relationships with suppliers like Qualcomm and Broadcom.

Apple is already testing microLED displays for the Apple Watch, and the technology will bring brighter and more vibrant colors, along with improved viewing angles. Bloomberg says that the displays "make content appear like it's painted on top of the glass."

The company initially planned to swap to microLED displays as early as 2020, but there were technical challenges to overcome. Apple also planned to use microLED for larger displays, but for cost reasons, decided to focus first on the Apple Watch. Apple has spent several billion dollars developing display technology, and the transition is said to be one of Apple's most "critical projects."

Bloomberg warns that the 2024 target date could potentially slip to 2025, or if there continue to be production difficulties, a limited supply of the new devices could be offered to begin with. There will be an Apple Watch refresh in 2023, but with few new features.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

killawat Avatar
33 months ago
Displays are also one of the most expensive components on the iPhone by a wide margin. Reducing the cost would allow them to extract even more profit from each unit (because we know Apple wont reduce the price).
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
33 months ago
One step closer! I’m glad Apple is transitioning pretty much everything In-House. A huge win for Apple!
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BorisDG Avatar
33 months ago
microLED is the future. Can't wait to replace the OLED with all it's flaws.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
james2538 Avatar
33 months ago

microLED is the future. Can't wait to replace the OLED with all it's flaws.
Have you used a recent OLED display? Most of the flaws have been rectified over the past 5 years. Burn-in isn't as much of an issue and the displays are getting brighter everyday. microLED is definitely the better technology in the long run but OLED is available today and the picture quality is light years better than anything in the LCD space.


I suppose I'm extremely behind the times on this one but... ELI5 the differences between microLED and OLED?
Both technologies are able to turn a single pixel on or off which results in an infinite contrast ratio. Black is truly black on a microLED or OLED display, with zero blooming issues.

The "O" in OLED stands for organic. That organic material has a limited lifespan which may not wear evenly, which results in issues like burn-in. microLED inorganic nature means that it doesn't have that problem. microLED displays will also be able to get brighter using less power than an OLED.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThaGoochiestMane Avatar
33 months ago
Just think of Apple's margins after removing all 3rd party suppliers from their lineups.

At that point the only thing standing between shareholders and higher returns are all those pesky, salaried employees.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Doomtomb Avatar
33 months ago

Apple plans to use custom displays that it designs in-house...

The displays will likely be manufactured by an outside supplier, but designed by Apple.
"In-house" but yet still reliant on outside manufacturers. This changes nothing.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)