Next Major Apple Watch Ultra Upgrade Rumored to Be MicroLED Display Technology

MicroLED display technology will be the next major upgrade coming to the Apple Watch Ultra, according to a Weibo leaker with a proven track record for disclosing accurate information about Apple's plans.

apple watch ultra pink
The account known as "Instant Digital" claims that the next worthwhile upgrade for the Apple Watch Ultra users will be Apple's custom microLED display technology, but the feature is not expected to launch next year. The source was first to report the iPhone 14's Yellow spring refresh, Spatial Video on the iPhone 15 Pro, and the Apple Watch Series 9's minor refresh, as well as the only rumor claiming that the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus would feature frosted back glass.

Apple's plan to bring a microLED display to the Apple Watch Ultra is very widely corroborated, starting with a report from display analyst Ross Young in January. TrendForce claims that Apple's first microLED display will launch on a new Apple Watch Ultra model in 2026, due to supply chain adjustments, but some earlier reports placed the device's launch in 2025. The microLED display is expected to be 2.12-inches in size, a 10% increase over the display of the current Apple Watch Ultra.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported Apple is likely planning to bring custom microLED displays to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac after the technology debuts in a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra. He believes Apple's long-term plan is to bring microLED displays to all of its key products. Other reports from DigiTimes, Nikkei Asia, and The Information have indicated similar plans for Apple to transition to custom microLED displays across multiple product lines in an effort to become less reliant on Samsung.

Apple is believed to have spent more than six years developing microLED technology for what will become the first display custom-designed by the company itself, mirroring its work on Apple silicon. Apple reportedly kicked off the current form of its microLED project, codenamed T159, around 2017. At an earlier stage, it even wanted to introduce the technology with the iPhone X. The advanced display offers improved brightness, color reproduction, and viewing angles, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the display glass, and replace parts currently supplied by companies like Samsung and LG.

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

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Top Rated Comments

StuBeck Avatar
15 months ago
It feels like every year we're told about what the next year will include, and then as it gets closer we're told "oh wait, it might be next year...or the year after".
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Skyscraperfan Avatar
15 months ago
I just ordered an Apple Watch Ultra copy from China for a little over 6 Euros. Not sure how good it will be, but usually you get a pretty good value in China.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
15 months ago

I just ordered an Apple Watch Ultra copy from China for a little over 6 Euros. Not sure how good it will be, but usually you get a pretty good value in China.
Congrats on flushing 6 Euros down the toilet
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
15 months ago

the next worthwhile upgrade for the Apple Watch Ultra users will be Apple's custom microLED display technology,
had nothing to complain about the display on my first Ultra and not on Ultra 2 either - microLED is. not a reason to upgrade for me, new health sensors will be
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sviato Avatar
15 months ago
Would be great if the MR article detailed differences/benefits of microLED vs OLED…
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rafagon Avatar
15 months ago

I just ordered an Apple Watch Ultra copy from China for a little over 6 Euros. Not sure how good it will be, but usually you get a pretty good value in China.
Are we talking about the same China?

Let us know how that goes. ?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)