An impressive demo of Meta’s Orion AR glasses got us interested in augmented reality specs again. Now, a tidbit of rumor has arrived suggesting that Apple may develop its own devices in this category by 2026, including microLED technology.
This comes from tipster @Jukanlosreve (via Wccftech), who has a decent record on leaks (but under a different username). The source said Apple is “not giving up” on microLED technology, which it has been researching for several years.
This technology combines the brightness of microLED with the deep blacks of OLED, outperforming both existing display technologies. It is also very difficult and expensive to manufacture, so it has not been used in small devices until now.
As you can see in our feature on microLED TVs, this is an innovation that has shown promise for years, but the challenge remains getting prices down to a level where people can actually buy these devices.
Spec appeal
Apple isn’t giving up on micro-LED technology. 1. We are currently preparing micro-LEDs for AR glasses, with mass production scheduled for 2026.2. Plans to equip the Apple Watch Ultra with Micro LEDs are still in progress, with a release goal of 2026.October 5, 2024
According to the tipster, the Apple Watch Ultra should also feature a microLED display. Somewhat surprisingly, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 wasn’t available this year, so we don’t know what numbers Apple will reach in a few years.
Regarding Apple Glasses, there have been several rumors regarding AR specifications in recent years. Previous estimates for the release date were 2027, so it’s possible that Apple has accelerated the development of this new device.
Last year, we heard that Apple’s AR glasses were postponed indefinitely and the focus switched to cheaper VR headsets. Meta’s success with Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses may have changed Apple’s thinking in this regard.
Of course, there’s also Apple Vision Pro. Mixed reality headsets are very powerful, very expensive, and don’t sell in large numbers. Perhaps Apple wants to launch a smaller, more affordable product next.
