A miniLED backplane [Apple]

Apple will continue to rely on Korean display makers like Samsung Display and LG Display for years to come despite a move to bring component designs in-house, a report claims.

Apple has gradually been bringing much more of the work to produce components for products internally. With elements such as its chip designs for Apple Silicon, it shows Apple can come up with great component designs that can make an impact.

However, despite attempts to gain more control over how parts for devices like the iPhone and iPad are made, it will still apparently rely on South Korea for its displays. According to a report from the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Promotion seen by the Korea Herald, Apple is trying to do the same with displays, but it's very early in the process.

The IITP considers that Apple has become a new player in the display market, at least when viewed over the long term. While entering the market, the report believes at least 60% of its components will be sourced from Korean display makers for several years.

Apple is said to be starting to use in-house microLED displays for the Apple Watch as soon as the end of 2024, though there are still obstacles in the way. Apple may take a lot of time to completely commercialize its technology, and with the raised cost of production, the report thinks it will more likely arrive in 2025.

Even so, this could still be an opportunity for Korean display makers, since Apple won't make the parts itself.

"Apple is expected to outsource display production to Korean vendors in the coming years to save the costs necessary for mass production," the report said. "If domestic display makers can outsource Apple's microLED production, it could give them the advantage to catch up with their Chinese rivals."

Apple has been working on microLED since 2018, or possibly earlier due to a 2014 acquisition of LuxVue, and the company reportedly invested $334 million into a Taiwanese factory in 2020 for mini LED and microLED display panel production.

The state-run agency also refers back to Apple's chip efforts, adding that its push for chip independence "could weaken the market dominance of fabless companies like Intel, Qualcomm and Broadcom, and empower foundries such as TSMC."

With a chip support bill in place, Apple will be keen to seek local production, the report concludes. It will also likely prompt TSMC into producing some chips for Apple in the U.S, despite its complaints against terms affecting its Arizona plant.

Malcolm Owen

Based in South Wales, Malcolm Owen has written about tech since 2012, and previously wrote for Electronista and MacNN. In his downtime, he pursues photography, has an interest in magic tricks, and is bothered by his cats.