Plans to transition Apple Watch Ultra to a micro LED display have been dropped, according to a trusted source of insider Apple information.
Beyond that, Apple seems to have lost interest in micro LED screens entirely.
No Apple Watch Ultra with micro LED in 2025
Apple currently uses OLED screens on the Apple Watch lineup because they are brighter than traditional LEDs, with stronger contrast. micro LED screens offer these same advantages and also have a longer useful lifespan than OLED with a lower chance of screen burn in.
Reports that Apple Watch Ultra models would use the new type of display first emerged in early 2023. But now those plans have reportedly been canceled.
“Apple has canceled the Micro LED Apple Watch projects because Apple thinks that Micro LED can’t add significant value to this product, and the production costs are too high to make it economically viable,” said Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst who follows Apple for TF International Securities.
Apple lost interest in the micro LED
The problems with micro LED have reportedly caused Apple to rethink projects beyond the Apple Watch line.
“Apple has laid off many people from the Micro LED development team,” said Kuo.
And the Mac-maker’s team up with Osram has also been canceled.
“Osram was Apple’s exclusive LED chip supplier for Micro LED,” reports the analyst. “The company’s cancellation of its Micro LED collaboration with Apple means that Apple has no plans to mass-produce Micro LED devices in the foreseeable future.”
Apple is all-in on OLED … for now
Apple Watch models use OLED screens, as do all current versions of iPhone. But MacBook models and iPad still contain traditional LCDs.
Numerous leaks say that’s about to change, with the first OLED iPad coming out very soon. That said, MacBooks aren’t expected to transition to OLED until 2026 at the earliest.
What type of display Apple will move to after OLED is anyone’s guess. Theoretically, there still might be a micro LED Apple Watch someday if the cost of production can be brought down.
