Does anybody want a display screen that shiny on their wrist? That was my thought once I noticed Samsung Show’s micro LED smartwatch idea at CES 2025. I wasn’t allowed to the touch or work together with the watch idea, however I did not must in an effort to perceive why it is particular. Even when glancing at it from a distance, I might see how extremely shiny the display screen is in comparison with the usual smartwatch, making the luminous Las Vegas Sphere and streetlights proven on the watch’s show actually pop.
The display screen makes use of Micro LED, a sort of show know-how that makes use of a bunch of tiny LEDs to point out pictures, usually leading to higher brightness. Samsung and different firms already use the know-how of their TVs, however the know-how has but to make its solution to wearables. Nevertheless, Apple was beforehand rumored to have been engaged on micro LED shows for the Apple Watch however has since deserted that initiative, in accordance with Bloomberg.
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The watch I noticed at Samsung’s Show sales space is only a idea, so there is no telling whether or not it can really arrive in a future product. Samsung Show and Samsung Electronics are separate entities; the previous is a show provider, whereas the latter is a shopper know-how firm. So simply because Samsung Show has developed new show applied sciences would not essentially imply they will arrive in new merchandise, since many of those superior show varieties are usually costly to supply at scale.
However again to the brightness on this Samsung Show idea watch.
A placard close to the watch indicated its brightness is below 4,000 nits at its most, in comparison with the Apple Watch Extremely 2’s 3,000-nit display screen and the Pixel Watch 3’s 2,000-nit show. Nevertheless, it was so shiny that sure components of the picture seemed slightly washed out.
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Samsung Show is not the one firm exploring micro LED wearables. Taiwan-based show maker AUO additionally mentions micro LED screens for wearables on its web site.
There’s additionally the query of why a show so shiny could be helpful on the wrist, if in any respect. If Samsung have been to ever incorporate this know-how right into a future Galaxy Watch — and that is a giant if — I might see how it might make sense on a Professional or Extremely mannequin designed for outside use. That shiny display screen could be straightforward to see in direct daylight, and it might additionally allow the watch to perform as a greater flashlight in darkish environments. And there could also be extra stunning or useful makes use of in addition to.
I might additionally ponder whether that degree of brightness would drain the battery extra shortly, and the way darkish an ultrabright watch face might go, particularly for those who’re sporting it whilst you sleep.
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Though we do not know but whether or not a micro LED smartwatch is on the horizon, Samsung Show’s idea gives a glimpse into what’s attainable from a technical standpoint. It maybe hints at what we might even see down the road as applied sciences develop into cheaper and simpler to supply en masse.
If Samsung’s smartwatch idea is any indication of what is to return, the way forward for smartwatches could possibly be very shiny certainly.
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