Samsung Display is building a pilot factory for MicroLED for watches

According to Korean media ETnews on May 27, Samsung Display SDC is building a pilot production facility for Micro LED displays for smart watches on its 5.5-generation Quarter Cut production line in the A2 Park in Asan, South Chungcheong Province.

A person familiar with the matter said: "Micro LED-related process equipment includes transfer, bonding, testing and repair, etc. Samsung Display has been screening equipment suppliers from the end of last year to the beginning of this year, and the introduction of relevant equipment is expected to be completed within the year. After completing the pilot production facility this year, the company is also exploring the possibility of investing in mass production in the second half of next year."

It is reported that Samsung Display launched a Micro LED development project for smart watches in 2023. Industry analysts believe that the company plans to use the technology accumulated in the previous research and development process to try to speed up the commercialization process by directly testing the Micro LED process in its own factory.

According to TrendForce research, Samsung Display will showcase a 2.1-inch Micro LED watch at CES 2025/Display Week 2026, providing a resolution of 418 x 540 and a brightness of 4,000nits. The Micro LED chip supplier of this exhibit is Sanan Optoelectronics.

Image source: Samsung Display

According to TrendForce’s research, the Micro LED watch prototype (Prototype) developed by Samsung Display has begun to establish a trial mass production line. In order to reduce energy consumption, Micro LED high-voltage chips will be used, and potential suppliers are Sanan and Nichuang. Samples of the developed Micro LED watch products will be sent to brand customers, such as Samsung, European and American brands, and whether the final product will be launched still depends on the customer's decision.

At the same time, AUO has successfully supplied the Garmin fēnix 8 Pro smart watch and successfully commercialized Micro LED. It will also use Micro LED high-voltage chips to solve the energy consumption problem.       

It is also worth mentioning that according to TrendForce research, Apple has not completely given up on the Micro LED watch market, and may use supply chain management to promote the Micro LED watch plan again. (Compiled by LEDinside)

TrendForce 2026 Micro LED display and non-display application market analysis

Publication date: September 30, 2026

File format: PDF

Reporting language: Traditional Chinese/English

Preview file (May 14, 2026)

Micro LED Optical Interconnects Market Application and Manufacturer Development

• 2026 Optical Communications Market Trends

• Optical communication technology - Optical transceiver module vs. SiPh CPO vs. Micro LED CPO

• Optical communication technology - Micro LED / VCSEL / CW LD / EML

• Micro LED CPO / VCSEL NPO manufacturer product strategy

• ams OSRAM / MediaTek

• Avicena / bEMC

• Micro LED CPO / VCSEL NPO market opportunities and challenges

• 2026-2030 optical transceiver module vs. Micro LED CPO optical transceiver module market size

• Micro LED CPO alliances and supply chain analysis

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