Three-way
Competition between Samsung, LG, and Sony is intensifying over the development of Micro Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs). The relevant market is forecast to grow rapidly as Apple adopts Micro OLED for the display of its Mixed Reality (MR) headset.
According to the display industry on July 3, Apple is using Micro OLED in its Apple Vision Pro MR headset, which was unveiled on June 5. Stamp-sized Micro OLEDs are fitted into the sections of the headset that align with the user’s eyes. The Micro OLED used in the Vision Pro was developed by Sony.
It is known that the Micro OLED in the headset, which is about 3.3 cm (1 inch) in diagonal length, incorporates over 3,000 pixels. That pixel density is six times that of premium smartphone OLED displays. A distinguishing feature is the immersive experience it offers, feeling as if you’re looking at a 30m wide high-resolution screen.
Micro OLED is often called “OLEDoS,” or OLED on Silicon, as it is manufactured by depositing organic material on a silicon wafer. Sony collaborated with TSMC, a Taiwanese foundry company known for its strengths in semiconductor production, to develop and produce the Micro OLED for Apple Vision Pro.
Micro OLED is considered a high-added-value display. According to foreign IT specialist media, the cost of Apple Vision Pro is estimated to be around US$1,500, of which 46.7%, or US$700, is the cost of Micro OLED.
As the MR device market expands, the Micro OLED market is also expected to grow. Market research firm Omdia projects that the global MR-related market will reach US$6.9 billion (9 trillion won) this year and US$20 billion by 2027. Counterpoint Research predicts that the global sales volume of MR devices will surge from 50 million units in 2023 to 150 million units by 2025.
Domestic companies are also accelerating Micro OLED development. Samsung Display aims to start mass production in 2024. Samsung Display CEO Choi Joo-sun announced at a display event last August, “We will invest in Micro Displays, such as Micro OLED and Micro LED.” In May, Samsung acquired eMagin, a company with core Micro OLED technology, for US$218 million. Recently, it placed an order for Micro OLED deposition equipment with domestic equipment companies. Samsung Display is reportedly exploring collaboration with Samsung Electronics Foundry division for Micro OLED development.
LG Display is also pushing for Micro OLED development. It is currently collaborating with LX Semicon, known for its design strengths, and semiconductor company SK hynix. LG Display unveiled a Micro OLED prototype at the world's largest IT and consumer electronics show, CES 2023, held in Las Vegas earlier this year. LG Display is already supplying the external OLED display for Apple Vision Pro. Industry insiders speculate that Samsung Display and LG Display’s Micro OLEDs could be adopted as internal displays alongside Sony’s products in Apple’s next-generation devices.