Bea Beltran Tech 01.16.2023 00:Jan AM EST

Apple's Micro-LED Upgrade Might Still Be a Decade Away for Some Products

Apple is continuously improving the features of its products, and one of those is its screens. The tech company plans to put micro-LED screens on all their devices for a brighter and more vibrant screen, but it may take years before it's a standard for all its products.

Apple's Future Looking Clearer

The company already has plans in place to change the screen on its devices. It will start off with the product that has the smallest screen, which is the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024. Obviously, Apple will not stop there.

According to 9To5Mac, the company aims to bring the screen upgrade to all their devices. That includes iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. However, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg said that it might take a decade before it reaches Macs.

Gurman mentioned that the technology is still "nascent and complicated" meaning that it was in the early stages and may take years. He also pointed out how long transitions were between different devices, like how the iPhone had OLED screens six years before the iPad did.

It could take longer due to the fact that Apple is also planning to create its own displays, which is not new since they are already planning to do so with other components as well. This includes Apple's modems, Bluetooth, and WiFi chips.

Apple Making it All In-House

Apple is still getting its supplies of modems from Qualcomm, but they intend to change by 2024. According to MacRumors, the company is already working on in-house modem chip technology which has been going on for years.

The company started its efforts by purchasing Intel technology. Partly because the company wanted to cut ties with Qualcomm due to the issues that come with the partnership. However, Intel was not able to provide the technology that Apple wanted.

It was supposed to be released by 2023, but plans were changed due to issues with Apple's development efforts. Apple will have to test the new modem chip out with one device first before they see its compatibility with the devices, which may take up to three years.

The tech giant will also start transitioning to its own wireless components by 2024, specifically Bluetooth and WiFi chips. With a slow and steady transition, Apple expects to manufacture the said chips in-house and no longer get supplies from Broadcom by 2025.

Broadcom also supplies Apple with other components like wireless charging and radio frequency chips. Since Apple's ultimate goal is to eventually make all of its own components, they are already working on those as well.

As for screens, Apple also aims to stop relying on Samsung and LG by starting to use its own displays by 2024. The miro-LED will provide users with a brighter screen, as well as more vivid colors, and better viewing angles.

It's unclear how far along Apple has progressed with its plans for homegrown components, but soon enough, Apple can proudly declare its products to be completely made in-house with no reliance on other manufacturers.