From the rudimentary eyeglasses perched on the noses of 13th-century Italian monks to the sleek smartwatches and fitness trackers gracing our wrists today, wearable technology has undergone a remarkable evolution—the microLED integration is taking this to the next stage.
By 2026, the size of the global wearable technology market is expected to reach USD 265.4 billion, expanding at a CAGR of 18.0%.
This growth shows how microLEDs provide improved performance and new opportunities for consumer electronics.
This article will discuss the premises of microLED integration in flexible displays, examine its applications by key industry players, showcase the latest research, and review some notable patents.
3 Leading Companies in MicroLED Integration in Flexible Displays
Leading companies are advancing microLED integration by combining innovation and flexibility to create displays that enhance user experience. Here’s what we know about them so far:
1. Apple
Initially, Apple planned to use microLED displays for enhanced brightness, energy efficiency, and durability. However, due to high costs and manufacturing complexities, Apple had paused its in-house development of microLED screens for smartwatches.
This decision follows the cancellation of a long-term project, codenamed T159, which had been in development for seven years.
Despite these setbacks, Apple remains committed to exploring microLED technology for future applications.
The company is reportedly exploring partnerships with companies like AU Optronics and PlayNitride to overcome these hurdles and develop processes. These could facilitate the eventual use of microLED displays in devices beyond smartwatches, including AR glasses and the next generation of Apple Watch Ultra, which is expected in 2026.
2. Samsung
Samsung has advanced microLED integration technology significantly, especially for VR and wearable applications. Collaborating with KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology), Samsung has developed methods to overcome efficiency degradation in small, high-resolution microLED panels.
This leap by Samsung reduces heat generation by 40%, making the technology suitable for compact devices like smartwatches and AR/VR headsets.
The company is committed to leading the microLED market, as evidenced by its large portfolio of patents and continuous development.
Additionally, Samsung’s innovative approach includes stretchable displays, which can be freely stretched, folded, and twisted without damage.
A research paper published on June 4 in “Science Advances” by experts at Samsung’s Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) presents a new method that overcomes the limitations of stretchy electronics.
3. LG Display
Stretchable microLED panels, which bend, twist, and stretch freely without breaking, are a revolutionary breakthrough from LG Display.
The extremely flexible Stretchable display is the first to achieve 20% stretchability and has remarkable durability and dependability, making it perfect for commercialization. It also boasts a resolution of 100 PPI and full-color RGB.
The company has also demonstrated a working touch version of its stretchable display, emphasizing its readiness for commercialization.
LG Display showcased their stretches, folds, and twists displays at Dongdaemun Design Plaza during the 2025 Spring/Summer Seoul Fashion Week.
The exhibits were a part of the concepts that were being revealed for bags and clothes. This design project is part of a larger national project led by the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy of South Korea to test the commercial potential of stretchable displays, which are thin, light, and able to stick to irregular surfaces like skin and clothing.
Latest Research and Development in MicroLED Integration
The future of microLEDs is bursting with possibilities far beyond the screens we know today. Here’s how researchers are pushing the boundaries of this technology:
1. Stanford University: Breakthroughs in Stretchable Integrated Circuits
Researchers at Stanford have created soft, skin-like integrated circuits that are both powerful and flexible, capable of operating at speeds 1,000 times faster than previous versions.
Here are the details:
Stretchable Circuits
- Made from semiconducting carbon nanotubes and soft elastic materials.
- Can stretch and deform without losing functionality.
- Allows integration of thousands of sensors into a single square centimeter.
- Increases sensitivity and efficiency of the circuits.
Potential Applications
- Implanted Devices: Improved sensitivity and biocompatibility.
- Soft Robotics: Enhanced functionality and flexibility.
- Wearable Health Monitors: Continuous monitoring of vital signs (heart rate, blood oxygen levels, glucose levels).
- Real-Time Data: Important for managing chronic conditions and early disease detection.
Wearable Ultrasound Devices
- Provide continuous, high-quality imaging of deep tissues.
- Potential to revolutionize preventive care and chronic disease management.
- Monitor high-risk patients.
- Track fetal health.
2. Brighter Colors, Smaller Pixels
Researchers have achieved external quantum efficiencies of up to 58% for blue microLEDs and 21% for green microLEDs through novel epitaxial growth techniques. These advancements address critical challenges, such as achieving full-color displays and improving pixel size and mass transfer techniques.
3. MicroLED integration with CMOS
The integration of microLEDs with CMOS technology is paving the way for next-generation micro-displays suitable for augmented reality applications. This hybrid approach enables better control over individual microLEDs, which is essential for high-resolution displays.
4. MicroLED Industry Association’s Analysis of Cost and Production Challenges
The microLED Industry Association has conducted extensive analyses of the cost and production challenges associated with microLED technology. Some primary hurdles include the high cost of chip production due to complex processes, such as:
- Epiwafer growth
- Chip Fabrication
- Transfer processes
The analyses emphasize the need for significant improvements in yield and efficiency to make these displays commercially viable. Currently, two key production methods are under scrutiny:
- Laser Transfer Processes: While precise, laser transfer can be slow and expensive, impacting overall production costs.
- Stamp Transfer Processes: Stamp transfer offers higher throughput but can struggle with the microscopic precision required for microLED placement.
Additionally, the association emphasizes the importance of developing new materials and techniques to enhance the performance and reliability of microLED displays.
Recent Patents: Overview of Notable Patents Filed in the Last Five Years
Over 11,000 new microLED patents were published from 2021-2023. The past five years have seen a surge in patent activity related to microLED and flexible displays, reflecting the rapid advancements in this field.
Companies like LG, Samsung, and various startups have been at the forefront, filing patents for innovations in chip design, mass transfer processes, and flexible substrates.
Notable patents include:
1. MicroLED Display Technology with High Light Extraction Efficiency
The patent by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (2022) focuses on nanorod-type microLEDs that increase light extraction through a functional material layer.
2. MicroLED Structure for Improved Efficiency and Brightness
A patent by LG Electronics Inc. (2022) details a microLED structure that enhances light extraction and reduces absorption losses.
3. Strategic Acquisitions of LG
In 2023, LG Display acquired 14 microLED patents from Taiwan’s Ultra Display Technology (UDT) related to their proprietary mass transfer IP.
Applications and Future Prospects in MicroLED Integration in Flexible Displays
These applications highlight the transformative potential of microLED integration in flexible displays:
1. Health Monitoring: Enhanced Capabilities in Medical Wearables
Scientists funded by the NIH have developed a wearable ultrasound device, about the size of a postage stamp, that can continuously image internal organs for at least 48 hours.
This multi-layered device adheres to the skin in both wet and dry environments, providing stable and high-resolution imaging of the heart, lungs, and other organs, even during physical activities like jogging or cycling.
2. Soft Robotics: Potential Applications in Robotics with Human-Like Sensing Capabilities
Soft robotics is an emerging field that is seeing significant advancements thanks to innovations in microLED and flexible display technologies. Key developments include:
- Mechanical Compliance and Flexibility: Soft robots are designed for tasks requiring delicate handling and human-like sensing capabilities.
- Integration of Touchless Sensors: Recent research focuses on incorporating touchless sensors and tactile stimuli into soft robots, allowing them to detect and respond to their environment without direct contact.
- Medical Applications: This technology is especially useful in medical devices, enabling robots to perform minimally invasive procedures with greater precision.
- Stretchable and Flexible Sensors: These sensors allow soft robots to mimic human touch and movement more accurately, creating new opportunities in prosthetics and rehabilitation.
End Note
MicroLED integration in flexible displays represents a significant leap for wearable tech, enhancing functionality and durability. Although obstacles like high costs and material limits persist, research by companies such as Samsung, Apple, and LG appears promising.
Applications span health monitoring wearables and soft robotics, with flexible microLEDs set to transform consumer electronics, healthcare, and robotics. As production becomes more affordable, these technologies will enable personalized, real-time data interaction and responsive environments.