To have greater control over the display supply while also reducing less on partners like Samsung, Apple has been investing an unfathomable amount of money in microLED technology. Sources close to the matter claim that the technology’s main goal is to bring this display to the iPhone, which has been Apple’s greatest revenue generator for years now.

Apple has R&D teams stationed in U.S., Taiwan, and Japan to bring microLED technology to the mainstream market

The California-based corporation intends to perform a ‘mass transfer’ of self-manufacturing, with Nikkei Asia reporting that Apple has invested at least $1 billion in R&D and microLED samples in the past decade. This entire transition is said to be done in secrecy at the Longtan District in the northern Taiwanese city of Taoyuan.

“Apple has spent at least $1 billion on the R&D and samples for micro-LED technologies in the past nearly 10 years. It wants to secure more control over the next-gen display technologies for its future products.”

Unfortunately, the journey has more than a few potholes, especially when it comes to self-producing microLED panels. This is because the chips used in these displays are around 100 times smaller compared to the chips used in LED lighting products. To help bring its plans to fruition, Apple is partnering with suppliers like ams-Osram for microLED parts, LG for its substrates, and TSMC for its wafers.

Not only has Apple designed the driver integrated circuits that will eventually be found in microLED panels, but unnamed sources close to the matter claim that the company has even designed some of the production equipment to better control the mass transfer process. Despite having a massive display R&D team deployed in the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan, it will take Apple a couple of years to bring the first product to feature microLED technology.

The earliest launch timeline is said to be 2025. Given the complexities that happen when producing bigger displays, the Apple Watch Ultra will likely be the first to flaunt this technology. Nikkei has not discussed the cost of each of these displays, but it could be a while before Apple introduces it in the first iPhone.

News Source: Nikkei