Apple Watch battery life pain point may be solved: Apple plans to adopt new power-saving OLED technology

Apple Watch users have long complained about the device's battery life, often requiring daily charging. Apple is now reportedly exploring a new display technology to address this persistent issue.

The company is evaluating LG Display's High-Mobility Oxide (HMO) OLED technology, which aims to enhance energy efficiency. HMO enables electrons to move more quickly and smoothly within the display's transistor layer, meaning it can perform tasks with less power. This could significantly extend the battery life of the Apple Watch.

Samsung Display is also working on a comparable technology called Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). While both HMO and ALD promise improved power efficiency, it remains unclear which will ultimately prove superior. Industry experts suggest Samsung is focusing on precise transistor layer control to gain an early advantage.

Given Apple's history of testing new display technologies on smaller devices like the Apple Watch before wider implementation on iPhones and iPads, the smartwatch is a likely candidate for the first adoption of HMO. However, the technology is still in development, and it is unlikely to be featured in this year's new models. Industry projections suggest HMO could be ready for mass production by 2027, or possibly delayed to 2028. This timeline aligns with rumors of a significant Apple Watch redesign in 2028, which could be further enhanced by the new power-saving display technology.