Apple might be working on its own Micro LED displays for iPhone

Apple might be working on its own Micro LED displays for iPhone
(Image credit: Future)

Apple is reportedly creating its own Micro LED screens for the iPhone. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that by creating its own Micro LED screens, Apple would become less reliant on OLED panels supplied by third-party companies like Samsung and LG.

But it couldn't ditch these Korean giants completely. According to the report, Apple would still outsource the physical creation of the displays to other companies who would work from Apple's designs.

Apple has already done this by creating its own processors for its Mac computers. By designing the M1 and M2 itself, and only relying on chip builder TSMC to make its designs come to life, Apple has much more control over the specs of its processors, giving its Macs improved performance and battery life. The same could be true for other devices if Apple makes its own custom displays.

Apple has reportedly lined up the Apple Watch as the first device to feature an Apple Micro LED screen. It could feature this panel as soon as next year, though it could slip to 2025, Gurman says. Apple certainly has its work cut out – Micro LED screens are currently only used in big TVs, though Samsung will launch a 50-inch Micro LED TV this year

But still, shrinking the technology down to a screen that fits on your wrist would be a major challenge.

The current iPhone range features OLED displays. Just like OLED, Micro LED screens are self-emissive (i.e. they create their own light without needing a backlight). But instead of using organic light emitting diodes they use tiny, non-organic LEDs – three per pixel. That means that each pixel can be turned on or off individually, or can display a completely different colour to the one next to it. The result is essentially perfect contrast and colour control.

This isn't the first rumour concerning Apple and Micro LED screens. All the way back in 2014, Apple acquired a Micro LED startup called LuxView, while in 2018, rumours surfaced that Apple was developing its own Micro LED display for the Apple Watch. Apple is also said to be making its own VR headset – something that Micro LED's greater brightness, power efficiency and longer lifespan could be ideally suited to.

While we could see an Apple Micro LED in the Apple Watch as soon as next year, it's not expected to appear in iPhones for years yet, according to the report. We're sure to hear plenty more on this before then, so stay tuned.

MORE:

Read our iPhone 14 review

Thinking of upgrading? iPhone 14 vs iPhone 14 Pro

New vs old: iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13

See what to expect from the iPhone 15

Joe Svetlik

Joe has been writing about tech for 20 years, first on staff at T3 magazine, then in a freelance capacity for Stuff, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine (now defunct), Men's Health, GQ, The Mirror, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and many more. His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on.

Read more
Samsung RGB Micro LED TV concept image
Two huge Micro LED TVs launched at CES 2025 – could OLED finally get a proper rival?
A TV with radishes on screen labelled RBG Mini-LED
CES 2025 marked the death of MLA-OLED, but it looks like another panel technology’s days could be numbered
iPhone 16 smartphone
iPhone 17: release date rumours, price leaks, possible specs and features
TCL QM6K QD-Mini LED TV
I'm a TV expert and this is the TV technology I'm most excited about at CES 2025
Illustration of Sony's new RGB Mini LED technology
I’ve seen Sony’s next-gen RGB LED TV in action – and I think it could be even better than OLED
Hisense 136MX MicroLED press shot
Hisense launches first “consumer-ready” Micro LED TV at CES 2025 – but should OLED be worried?
Latest in Smartphones
The Google Pixel 9a being held horizontally at waist-height so only the back is visible.
The Google Pixel 9a launches at £100 less than the iPhone 16e with a better screen
iPhone 16 Plus smartphone
Got an old iPhone? We'll help you decide on how to upgrade
iPhone 16e in black and white on a white background
iPhone 16e vs Sony Xperia 10 VI: what are the differences?
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e's downgrades are in all the right places if, like me, movies on the move are your priority
iPhone 16e on white background
Apple officially unveils the affordable iPhone 16e complete with an OLED display and Dolby Atmos support
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: what's the difference, and which one should you buy?
Latest in News
Sony WF-C710N earbuds lined up in different finishes
They’re official! Sony finally takes the wraps off its WF-C710N budget wireless earbuds
A flower on a TV screen with a gem in the middle.
TCL's new Mini LED TV range comes with huge brightness gains, reduced blooming and souped-up sound
Sony WH-1000XM4 on a table with a plant
Some of our favourite-ever five-star wireless headphones have plummeted to nearly half price – £172 off!
RCA Roku TV 24-inch (RK24HF1) small TV
My favourite kitchen TV has dropped to under £100 for Amazon Spring Deal Days
Sony XR-48A90K
Amazon has slashed the price of this five-star Sony OLED, but we have found an even better deal
Fiio FX17 in-ear headphones
Fiio's flagship in-ear headphones are packed full of drivers to put your music in pole position