According to MacRumors , this will help Apple lay the groundwork for its ultimate goal of bringing microLED display technology to the iPhone. Sources say Apple has spent at least $1 billion on microLED display research and development over the past decade. When production begins, Apple will perform the crucial mass transfer itself, including placing at least tens of thousands of small microLED chips on the panel.
Apple is looking for ways to reduce its dependence on Samsung.
Apple plans to manufacture the tiny microLED chips directly on wafers, the report said, partnering with ams-Osram for the microLED components, while LG Display will produce the panels and TSMC will produce the 12-inch wafers. The process is said to take place at Apple's secretive R&D facilities in Longtan District, Taoyuan City, northern Taiwan.
Apple has R&D teams working on displays in the US, Taiwan and Japan. The team is said to have designed not only the driver integrated circuits for microLED displays but also some of the manufacturing equipment to better control the mass production process, allowing the company to apply the new display technology to products that often use OLED panels supplied by Samsung and other manufacturers.
Despite Apple’s platform, manufacturing microLED displays is still challenging and more expensive, which is why Apple will start implementing the technology with the Apple Watch Ultra before mass-producing microLED displays for iPhones. When microLED is deployed on iPhones, it will be the result of the company’s huge investments over the years.
MicroLED display technology will allow for higher brightness, reduced power consumption, improved contrast ratios, and other benefits over current iPhones with OLED displays. However, Apple is said to be years away from bringing this technology to iPhone displays.
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