As soon as next year, Apple will start replacing its mobile device displays with its in-house screen technology, Bloomberg reported.
Based on multiple reports, the Cupertino-based tech giant will begin with its high-end Apple watches later in 2024. Accordingly, the company will change the device's current OLED screens with its own microLED technology.
Moreover, the company's in-house display will also make its way to its other devices, including the iPhone.
Apple Might Soon Drop Some of its Suppliers
The new display is said to be a lot brighter than what it currently uses. Likewise, it has more vibrant colors.
According to reports, Apple's custom display will make it appear like the watch faces and other contents are painted on top of the glass.
The shift to its own custom displays will make Apple rely less on display partners such as Samsung and LG.
Aside from Samsung and LG, the tech company also sources displays for its devices from companies like Japan Display, BOE Technology, and Sharp.
According to MacRumors, Apple is making a "sweeping effort" in order to make more of its own components for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This is in order for it not to work with as many third-party component suppliers.
Based on news reports, the company is now making its own A-series and M-series chips for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Likewise, it is also working on modem chips and other wireless chips.
With this, Apple might soon have to drop suppliers for its chips like Qualcomm and Broadcom.
Currently, the Cupertino-based tech giant is already testing a microLED display for its upcoming Apple watch.
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Apple Wants to Lessen its Reliance to Third-Party Companies
As early as 2020, the company already made plans to swap its OLED displays with microLED displays. However, Apple has many technical challenges to overcome.
The tech company also planned to use microLED for larger displays, however, since it is expensive, Apple decided to focus first on the Apple Watch.
Based on reports, the company already spent several billion dollars in order to develop display technology. The transition to using its custom display is said to be one of Apple's most "critical projects."
However, despite the announcement that the swap will begin in 2024, Bloomberg notes that the target date could potentially slip to 2025 if the company will continue to experience production difficulties and a limited supply of the new devices.
As per 9to5Mac, Wei Chen, the head of Apple's display technology group, is spearheading the project. The said technology group operates within John Srouji's Hardware Technologies division.
Although Apple designed the new displays and devised its manufacturing process, the company will still rely on an outside supplier to handle the mass production of these displays.
As Engadget notes, Apple's decision to shift to its own displays could potentially have a huge impact on its suppliers.
However, the suppliers may have been bracing for it for quite some time now since it's no secret that the tech company has been developing its own components in a move to lessen its reliance on third-party companies.
For instance, Apple had recently moved away from Intel processors to use its own chips for Mac computers.
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