There as been a lot of reports in the news about Apple planning to release its own VR/AR headset in the very near future and while there seems to be some proofs behind these reports, the latest have about the company is the fact that the company is currently working with chipmaker TSMC in order to create an ultra-thin and energy-efficient micro OLED display that will work with the AR devices it’s about to release.
This is said to be a trial production stage which will be focused on really smaller one-inch display before commercialization with the development of the MicroLED sad to be at the same Apple lab in Taiwan.
The report which was gotten via Nikkei Asia has it that the MicroLED are required to be so thin and compact due to the fact that they’re going to be built directly onto chip wafers instead of being built on glass as we’re used to on regularly OLED screens or LCDs.
The release of Apples VR headset which is reportedly codenamed N301 could be as soon as 2022 while there could be another AR glasses which is codenamed N421 that could be released as early as 2023 all which could potentially feature some next-level tech such as 8K display and fabric exterior which is meant to make the device much lightweight as well as slimmer panel
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22280992/3b786602_c662_4696_b68c_21f89e4a4e95.jpg?ssl=1 "Apple reportedly working to create its own Micro-LED displays for its AR/VR Devices 4")
The result of the secret development of the said micro LED could eventually lead to the technology to be used in future Apple Watch. The technology uses self-emissive panels that utilize miniature LEDs that remove the need for a traditional backlight which is popular in normal displays.
Samsung is a company that manufactures and sells the MicroLED TV which it calls The Wall and this is a pretty expensive technology that isn’t mainstream yet.
What Apple’s R&D is reportedly trying to achieve is to reduce its reliance on other makers like Samsung for its displays. Apple is known for self reliance and would rather make every components of its devices in-house with little to no dependence on any third-party supplier.
A good example of that would be the iPhone 12 whose OLED display is reportedly the second most expensive component from a third-party supplier after the Qualcomm 5G modem.
While Apple may end up using these technologies in its products, it could also just use its work to acquire technology patents, giving it more control over these next-gen technologies, Nikkei notes.
Sony Semiconductor Solutions is yet another company that is working to develop these type of display technologies while there are companies like BOE, Yunna North OLiGHTEK Opto-Electronic Technology and Kopin which are all in collaboration.
Meanwhile, Samusung, BOE, and San’an Optoelectronics are also working to commercialize MicroLED displays which mean the future of this tech is really bright.
