Apple launched the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 alongside the iPhone 15 lineup last year. Apple offered a range of new features with watchOS 10 alongside a new user interface for the wearable. The device features many improvements compared to the original model, including an upgraded processor and a brighter display. While the upgraded display technology is a welcome addition, the company is also working on a microLED version of the Apple Watch Ultra. It is now being reported that the microLED Apple Watch Ultra has been delayed due to supply chain constraints.
Apple delays microLED Apple Watch Ultra due to supply constraints, which could have an impact on the company's revenue
It was previously reported that Apple is planning to launch the microLED Apple Watch Ultra as soon as 2026. The news was shared throughout last year, with some sources pointing to a 2025 release. According to a new report from The Elec, Apple could delay the Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display due to supply chain issues. The report states that Apple has not configured the supply chain to launch the wearable early.
As mentioned, TrendForce reported last year that Apple will launch the Apple Watch Ultra with a new display technology which will be far superior to the OLED. The microLED technology was rumored to arrive on the Apple Watch Ultra in 2026 but it appears that we would have to wait a while longer. Reports also stated that the company will gradually bring the technology to the iPhone and iPad. However, it will take years before the microLED displays are ported to the iPhone.
Apple has been working on microLED display technology for almost a decade, which appears to be the potential replacement for OLED displays in the coming years. Currently, the Apple Watch Ultra features a 1.93-inch OLED display. While it is brighter than most smartphones, there are always screen burn-in risks associated with the display. The upgraded Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display will reportedly feature a bigger 2.12-inch screen.
The supply issues could revolve around the cost of producing the microLED displays for the Apple Watch Ultra. The report details that the cost of producing a 2.12-inch microLED display is $150, compared to $38 for the OLED panel. For Apple, the cost is four times higher, and it does not make sense to incorporate the technology in a device that costs $799. The cost would ultimately impact the company's revenue from the Apple Watch.
Apple could wait for the microLED yields to improve, which would bring the per-unit cost down. Nonetheless, the cost will still be higher than that of the OLED panels for the Apple Watch. As mentioned, Apple will phase out LCD, OLED, as well as miniLED panels in favor of microLED in its future products. Note that the report does not highlight the potential launch date for the microLED Apple Watch Ultra, but we will update you as soon as further details are available.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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