Wearables

Apple's involvement in the microLED display market is not a secret, and rumors over the years suggested that the company's first microLED display will be adopted in a smartwatch project.A couple of weeks ago we heard estimates that Apple is working to produce a 2.1" microLED display, to be adopted in the next Watch Ultra device, due in late 2023 or (more likely in 2024).
 

DSCC's Ross Young gives an update today, saying that according to his information, LG Display is building a small production line that will make microLED backplanes for Apple. The line will begin operation in the second half of 2024, which means that the watch device itself will be released in 2025. This timeline makes more sense than an early launch in 2023.

ETNews says that Samsung Display has launched a new project to develop microLED displays for smart watch applications. The company setup a new development team, with a goal to commercialize this technology and move it beyond its current R&D stage.

Samsung's plan, it seems, is to complete the development by the end of 2023, and then look into mass production, aiming to supply such displays to Tier-1 wearable makers such as Apple and Samsung Electronics.

There are some new rumors (or analyst estimates, really) that Apple is working to adopt a microLED display in its next Watch Ultra smartwatch, to replace the currently-used OLED display. The new display, according to what we hear, will have a 2.1" display. Apple aims, it seems to release its first microLED display powered device in 2024, or even possibly 2023.

The current (Gen-1) Watch Ultra has an advanced 1.92" (49 mm) 2000 nits 502 x 410 pixels LTPO AMOLED display.

DSSC says that microLED display revenues will grow from around $40 million in 2023 to over $1.3 billion in 2027. While this is fast growth, it means that DSCC does not believe microLED will penetrate large display markets at least until 2028, and indeed the analysts say that lowering production costs will be necessary before microLEDs can become competitive against OLEDs and LCDs.

DSSC sees microLED microdisplay, produced using a monolithic process, taking up about 25% of the microLED display market. The largest segment for microdisplays will be smartwatches or wearable displays - as the low pixel size (relative to other display segments, at least) means that microLED technologies is relatively mature for that segment.

We're happy to interview ASMPT, as part of our new series of interviews with MicroLED Industry Association members. ASMPT (formerly ASM Pacific Technology Ltd.) was founded in 1975 and is a leading global supplier of hardware and software solutions for the manufacture of semiconductors and electronics. 

Q: Hello! Can you introduce your company and technology?

We are a leading global supplier of hardware and software solutions for the manufacture of semiconductors and electronics. ASMPT is the only company in the world that offers high-quality solutions for all major steps in the electronics manufacturing process: from equipment to multi-factory-level automation concepts for smart manufacturing. From carrier for chip interconnection, to chip assembly and packaging, to Surface Mount Technology (SMT), ASMPT’s offerings encompass wafer deposition and laser grooving, to the various solutions that shape, assemble and package delicate electronic and optical components into a vast range of end-user devices; these include electronics, mobile communications, computing, automotive, industrial, LED & displays.

We have participated in Mini and Micro LED development since 2016. Our core technologies in Micro LED, mass transfer and mass bonding for Micro LED, have been well developed and successfully performing in customer sites worldwide.

PlayNitride is planning for an IPO, and if all goes according to plan, the company will issue new shares and will start trading at the newly launched Taiwan Stock Exchange Innovation Board in Q3 2022.

PlayNitride's CEO recently participated in an investor conference, during which he said that the company aims to be break-even (on a monthly basis) by the end of 2023, and to turn a profit in 2024.

PlayNitride had an impressive Displayweek booth, with several exciting microLED displays on show - including transparent displays, tiled displays, automotive displays, PM-uLEDs and more.

Last week we posted a story detailing these displays, and now we found this good video by Insight Media that gives a great tour to the booth and the displays on show. Enjoy!

PlayNitride demonstrates its latest microLED display prototypes and technologies at SID Displayweek 2022.

At the entrance to PlayNitride's booth, you can see a long 132-inch tiled microLED display, made from 192 modules (each 5" in size). The 7680x1080 59PPI display is completely seamless and offers 3,000 nits and a 116% NTSC color gamut.

In December 2021, Visionox announced that it finished the construction of its MicroLED pilot line, which is the first full-process line built in China. The pilot line can produce complete displays, from driver backplane, through transfer process to full module production. The LED chips themselves are produced by a third party.

During Visionox's 2022 Technology Innovation Launch Event, the company announced that it has successfully built 1.84" wearable microLED display samples, in addition to glass-based 12.7" tiled display modules. Visionox did not reveal any more details about these new display samples.

MicroLED developer VueReal announced that it has raised $14.4 million in its latest (series B) funding round, led by Cycle Capital VC and joined by TDK, Vitro, Economic Development Canada and BDC Capital. VueReal says it will use the funds to enhance its production facility, expand the team, and gain new customers.

VueReal says that the new financing round will also enable it to offer a broader range of custom display products, for AR, smartwatches, smartphones, automotive, signage and transparent displays. Last year VueReal demonstrated high-brightness and high-transmittance transparent microLED displays which it is now offering to customers.