- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:TSM) will produce smaller MicroLED panels for Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), according to Digitimes analyst Luke Lin citing supply chain sources.
- Sources say there will be two sizes: a 1.3-in to 1.4-in panel for a future premium Apple Watch model and a 0.7-in to 0.8-in for an “AR wearable device” that could be the rumored headset.
- The production cost is 400% to 600% higher than manufacturing the existing OLED Watch panels of the same size.
- Apple also plans larger MicroLED panels, but the partner isn’t known yet. Lin says these panels will be much larger than current MacBooks, suggesting an iMac usage.
- TSMC could enter mass production on the smaller Watch panels as early as 2H18. The AR panel doesn’t have a production schedule.
- Apple shares are up 0.6% to $167.75.
- TSM shares are up 2.9% to $43.72.
- Previously: Stifel: Apple accounts for under 1% of Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) profits (April 2)
- Previously: Bloomberg: Apple will stop using Intel chips in Macs; INTC shares -8.7% (April 2)
- Now read: Why Is Apple Down 3% After Crushing Earnings?
Original article