LG prepares to join Sony as an Apple AR/VR headset high pixel density display supplier

LG will try to join Sony as a display supplier for the internal screens of Apple's next generation AR/VR headset, reports Korean media. The first generation, which has not even been announced yet, should be arriving later this year or more likely in 2023, and will reportedly sport exclusive near-eye display technology crafted by Sony.

The external display, or the so-called "indicator," will be supplied by LG, but it is just a regular OLED panel, while LG wants to get into the more lucrative internal Apple AR/VR headset screens game as well. Apparently, LG has already ordered the MicroOLED display equipment from Sunic System and will be starting the trial depositions with the hope to wiggle into the Apple AR/VR 2 headgear supply chain at some point in the future.

The term MicroOLED in the report seems to refer to an OLED screen made with a flexible silicon substrate instead of rigid glass. The flexible OLED screens in phones are now made with a plastic, instead of a glass substrate, too, even panels that are not destined for foldable phones. An OLED with a plastic substrate is lighter and way more durable and that's what the Japanese will be providing to Apple as well.

Sony, however, will be releasing its own PlayStation VR2 headset soon and its panel is expected to offer the highest pixel density on a commercial OLED screen. Even if Sony supplies the same technology to Apple for its own AR/VR gear, the PlayStation VR2 device is still shaping up to be Apple's main direct competitor in the field. That may be why the team from Cupertino would be looking for alternative AR/VR headset display supplier, and LG wants to be prepared to fill that role.

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