Apple said to be working with TSMC on micro OLED displays for AR devices

Besides investing in Mini-LED and Micro-LED technologies, Apple is now believed to be developing micro OLED displays.

Nikkei Asia claims that the iPhone maker is working with TSMC to develop the highly-advanced display technology at a secretive facility in Taiwan. Unlike LCD or OLED displays which are built on glass substrates, micro LED are built directly onto wafers which mean they are much thinner, smaller and consume less power. Hence, micro OLED is ideal for use in wearable AR devices. 

Sources familiar with the matter added that the micro OLED project is currently at the trial production stage and it will take several years before mass production can start. The micro OLED panels are said to be less than 1-inch in size. One source shared that Apple has poached a dozen of veterans from AU Optoelectronics, Japan and elsewhere in the industry to work on the micro OLED project.

Apple is rumoured to be introducing a new product category next year with its VR and AR devices. The VR headset is expected to come with two ultra-high-resolution 8K displays and advanced eye-tracking technology. Other purported specs include six lenses, LiDAR, a time-of-flight sensor, and a possible launch in Q1 2022. The other AR device is believed to be the Apple Glass, but its launch is still a few years away.

Source: Nikkei Asia