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Apple abandoned plans to use microLED displays in its smartwatches, but LG Display isn't giving up on the technology. The Korean maker is still working on it, though for now it's holding off on major investments in mass production. The company wants to be ready for the moment when microLED starts to play a bigger role in the display market.
LG Display continues microLED development
According to DigiTimes, citing Korean industry sources, LG Display is currently using external pilot lines because it does not have the full facilities needed for in-house production. This allows it to limit research spending while preserving its technological know-how.
The decision is linked to Apple’s withdrawal from the microLED display project for the Apple Watch in 2024. LG Display was to participate in the supply chain, but high costs and technical issues led to the project's termination.
MicroLED has potential, but production remains a challenge
MicroLED technology uses self-emissive microscopic LEDs. Compared with OLED, it can offer higher brightness and a longer lifespan. The biggest challenge, however, remains precisely transferring millions of tiny LEDs onto a substrate and keeping production defect rates low.
Despite these difficulties, competition is not standing still. AUO and PlayNitride are developing their own solutions, and in September 2025 Garmin introduced the fēnix 8 Pro smartwatch with a microLED display. Chinese companies are also investing heavily in the technology's development.
LG Display therefore does not want to be completely left out of the race. For now, however, it is focusing on OLED development and reducing spending on microLED research. It's unclear when the company will decide to start mass production. All the more reason not to expect the technology to quickly become an affordable alternative to OLED TVs.
Source: DigiTimes
