LG Demands Compensation For Apple Watch Micro-LED Cancellation

LG was harmed after Apple Watch micro-LED was canceled (photo: dock. Apple)

JAKARTA In March, news emerged that Apple was canceling its Apple Watch with micro-LED screens because it was difficult to produce in the required amount. After it was canceled, LG demanded compensation. The South Korean company plans to become Apple's partner and produce a backplane for Apple Watch display. Backplane is a transistor array that can turn on and off pixels individually. When the micro-LED creation plan was cancelled, Apple had not ordered anything to LG. However, the company felt aggrieved because they were confident enough with Apple's plans to invest in backplane creation. According to the Elec report, LG Display invested more than 1.5 million US dollars (Rp23 billion) so that the micro-LED screen on Apple Watch could run the backplane process. Reportedly, Apple had planned to create a micro-LED screen since 2022. At that time, LG moved part of its tools from Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do to Paju, Gyeonggi-do. After moving its equipment, LG Display formed a task force (TF) or a special team that would create a backplane in Paju.

The company has even secured a place to build a backplane and recruit workers. With the cancellation of this project, it is not yet known whether the LG recruitment workers will continue to work at the company. Apple is expected to be responsible for the investments LG has made over the past few years. The company will raise the price of the iPhone and iPad OLED screens created by LG as a form of compensation.