(Yicai) March 6 -- Chinese screen manufacturers Tianma Microelectronics and Konka Group have expressed optimism in the micro light-emitting diode field despite rumors claiming US tech giant Apple has decided to exit its related projects.

Konka invested more than CNY2 billion (USD280 million) in mini and micro LEDs, General Manager Xiao Junlong told Yicai. Even though foreign companies have doubts about these types of displays, Konka’s determination to invest in Micro LED has not wavered, Xiao added.

Recent online rumors claimed Apple suspended its project to research and develop micro LED screens for its Apple Watch products, as the firm believes using such type of screens would create too high cost pressure.

Micro LED will continue to be the main focus of augmented and virtual reality glasses, smart watches, automotive transparent screens, and other fields, Xiao forecast.

Right now, micro LEDs are expensive and have low efficiency and high power consumption, so they are not suitable for smartwatches, Xi Kerui, vice president of Tianma’s Micro LED Research Institute, told Yicai. However, once micro LEDs achieve industrialization, they will bring about many opportunities, he added.

It is still uncertain when micro LED will make the breakthrough, but Tianma will surely be there when it happens, Xi pointed out.

Apple is probably not completely giving up on micro LED but just adjusting its strategy, as its previous direction was too pricey, Wang Fei, deputy general manager of TrendForce’s research center, told Yicai. Micro LED screens will be mainly used in large screens and microdisplays in the future, he predicted.

Editor: Futura Costaglione