Benzinga - by Rounak Jain, Benzinga Staff Writer.
The highly anticipated third-generation Apple Watch Ultra, equipped with a microLED display, has reportedly been delayed again, marking the third consecutive year of postponement. The new speculated launch date is now set for 2027, and even that is not completely certain yet.
What Happened: The delay in the release of the third generation of the Apple Watch Ultra is primarily due to challenges in the production of microLED screens, according to a supply chain-based report by The Elec.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has not yet finalized its component supply chain, causing uncertainty around the 2027 release date.
According to the report, the primary obstacle in producing microLED screens is cost, not technical constraints. The estimated cost of manufacturing an Apple Watch Ultra 3 screen is $150, significantly higher than the current cost of $38 per screen for the existing Apple Watch Ultra.
Given these production costs, a microLED Apple Watch Ultra could retail for approximately $1,500, which is significantly higher than the Apple Watch Ultra 2's $799 price tag.
One of the benefits of using a microLED screen is brightness – it is said to be up to 30 times brighter than the existing Apple Watch Ultra's OLED display.
Why It Matters: This delay aligns with previous speculations about the release of the Apple Watch Ultra 3. In 2023, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that a 2024 launch seemed less likely.
"As of now, Apple has yet to kick off the Apple Watch Ultra 3 development officially. It is unusual given the product development schedule."
This latest delay further underscores the challenges Apple faces in bringing the next generation of its flagship smartwatch to market.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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