Chinese TV brand Konka (000016.CH) announced last month that it will release the world’s first micro-LED watch, the APHAEA, with a 2” screen on a glass substrate. The LED chip size is less than 30um, which means it qualifies as a micro-LED, and it uses an LTPS active matrix driver, similar to those used in larger displays. The price was not given. Konka has developed its own micro-LED chip production and has also released micro-LED product that is similar to the modular systems developed by Samsung and LG, and is looking to become a world leader in the micro-LED space. By leapfrogging many others who are dedicated to developing micro-LED products, Konka has at least established itself as a potential player in what will be a developing space over the next few years.
We should get a few more details about the watch and Konka’s micro-LED development program at the 2021 virtual CES later this month however that could be overshadowed by Sony (SNE), who is expected to begin to reveal its latest micro-LED technology, and given its very early entry into what would be the precursor to the micro-LED display market, the Crystal LED display ‘released’ in 2012, and its staggering 790” (yes) ‘home’ display (~$5.76m), the odds are most will be watching Sony’s release. Again, we note that micro-LED, in any real consumer sense, is still a few years away, but each year there will be a few more demos and ‘potential’ products, with an emphasis on small displays that would be somewhat more practical from a cost perspective that applying the technology to large screen devices.
We should get a few more details about the watch and Konka’s micro-LED development program at the 2021 virtual CES later this month however that could be overshadowed by Sony (SNE), who is expected to begin to reveal its latest micro-LED technology, and given its very early entry into what would be the precursor to the micro-LED display market, the Crystal LED display ‘released’ in 2012, and its staggering 790” (yes) ‘home’ display (~$5.76m), the odds are most will be watching Sony’s release. Again, we note that micro-LED, in any real consumer sense, is still a few years away, but each year there will be a few more demos and ‘potential’ products, with an emphasis on small displays that would be somewhat more practical from a cost perspective that applying the technology to large screen devices.
Konka APHAEA Smartwatch - Source: Konka
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