LG partnership in trouble after Apple calls it quits on microLED for its smartwatch project

LG Display suffered a significant monetary loss due to Apple canceling its smartwatch development project.

LG Display is seeking compensation from Apple after the company suspended the development of the MicroLED Apple Watch.

The project was part of Apple's plans to produce smartwatches with micro-LED screens. However, the company didn’t go through with it, realizing it would be too hard to produce it in the needed quantities.

Meanwhile, Apple’s initial plan has pushed its display supplier, LG Display, to invest in equipment, patents, employees, etc., to execute the project.

However, Apple canceled the project after LG had already spent billions of Korean won (or millions of dollars) to acquire 14 micro-OLED-related patents in the US from Taiwan’s Ultra Display, move the needed equipment, secure space for it, and hire extra employees.

Considering these costs, LG Display has decided to seek compensation from Apple, reports The Elec. It’s not yet known whether the American company will agree to the repayment –in fact, the situation may have jeopardized their partnership.