Even with the iPhone X, which represents the first Apple product with an OLED screen only recently out the door, the company may be working on the next generation of screen technology.
It’s rumored that Apple is working with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to develop microLED screens, which could supersede OLED over the next few years.
microLED screens take some of the key benefits of OLED over LCD yet further, offering even greater brightness, color saturation and power efficiency…
Per a DigiTimes article, Apple has reportedly downsized its R&D team for development of Micro LED display products in Longtan, northern Taiwan, due to issues related to mass transfer of Micro LED chips onto receiver substrates, according to sources from Taiwan’s upstream LED suppliers.
The slow progress in the development of the mass transfer process it thought to have impeded assorted panel makers from achieving volume production of Micro LED panels in the short term. As such, Apple is thought to be realigning the personnel of its Micro LED team according to unnamed sources.
Apple could also be cutting the size of this R&D team in that the research phase itself is complete. It also suggests that Apple is collaborating with TSMC on an alternative approach to the manufacturing challenges.
Sources have also stated that Apple is reportedly collaborating with TSMC to to develop applications based on silicon wafers, thereby sidestepping the bottleneck that entails with the mass transfer of LED chips.
Apple has been looking ahead for some time to microLED technology, acquiring LuxVue – a company specialising in the field – back in 2014.
It’s also thought that microLED screens will make their way to the Apple Watch prior to their arrive on next-gen iPhones. It had at one point been suggested that this year’s Watch might use the technology, with a later report stating that it could happen next year.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.