Samsung Display to move into MicroLED panel commercialisation for future smartwatch generations

According to reports, Samsung Display is attempting to commercialise smaller MicroLED panels for use in smartwatches. To date, Samsung Display has supplied AMOLED panels to Apple and Samsung, but it is no secret that the former wants to pivot Watch Series smartwatches to MicroLED technology. Most recently, a rumour alleged that Apple would create an in-house MicroLED panel for a next-generation Watch Ultra smartwatch, although a similar rumour emerged over two years ago.

Theoretically, MicroLED panels are more power efficient than their AMOLED equivalents while delivering high peak brightness values, superior colour reproduction and richer contrast ratios. In short, Apple and Samsung may be able to release smartwatches with better battery life just by using MicroLED panels instead of AMOLED ones.

AMOLED panels remain cheaper to mass-produce than MicroLED ones though, with Samsung Display only offering large MicroLED panels for high-end TVs like a 110-inch 'The Wall' successor that debuted in 2020. SamMobile adds that Samsung Display hopes to complete MicroLED commercialisation by the end of 2023. There is no word yet on when the panels will ship in retail smartwatches, with AMOLED panels likely to be in found in the next few generations of Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch Series smartwatches.

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