The 2026 Apple Watch Ultra would be the first to adopt a micro-LED panel. This novelty would, however, materialize through a larger screen, but also a higher price.
Big screen, more imposing than the current one, and ever higher price. This is what we should expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 2026, according to information from TrendForce. This new high-end tocante would also be the first Apple device to be equipped with a Micro-LED panel. In this case, the Apple Watch Ultra 2026 would feature a 2.12 inch screen, compared to 1.92 inches for the current version, unveiled last September.
The launch window for this first Micro-LED model is set somewhere in 2026 by TrendForce. However, it will be argued that this estimate is still quite vague. Initially, Jeff Pu and Bloomberg had in fact mentioned a launch in 2024 for this Apple Watch Ultra Micro-LED, before changing their mind to finally speak of a marketing in “ 2025 or later “.
According to TrendForce, the low production rates would justify an arrival on the market rather in 2026.
A complicated watch to produce
“ The tiny size of micro-LED components makes displays extremely difficult to manufacture, which can result in low yield rates and high costs. », argues the analysis firm, which is therefore banking on a late release and high prices.
“ The introduction of the Apple Watch with Micro LED is therefore expected in 2026 […]. The next generation Apple Watch panel is said to use Micro LED as the display technology, with a larger size than the current Apple Watch Ultra at 2.12 inches ”, we read further. If TrendForce is true, the screen of the Apple Watch Ultra 2026 would therefore be 11% larger than that of the current 2023 model. An important difference for a watch already considered too large by some users.
In detail, TrendForce explains that the expected price increase would not only be due to the low production rates of this future model, but also to the significantly higher cost of Micro-LED screens. Compared to the OLED panels currently used for the Apple Watch Ultra, these new screens would cost 2.5 to 3 times more expensive, or around 80 dollars more to pay per Micro-LED panel.
Since Apple is not necessarily known for cutting its margins, this price increase would be directly passed on to the final sales price… and therefore to the consumer.