Apple has decided to halt its plans for developing in-house Apple Watch displays using microLED technology, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The project was scrapped due to high costs and complexity, leading to a reorganization of Apple’s display engineering teams and job cuts in the U.S and Asia.

Previously, Apple relied on partners like LG Display and Samsung SDI for its Apple Watch display designs. However, the company had aimed to design the technology internally to take advantage of the benefits of microLED screens. These screens consume less power, offer more accurate colors, and allow for thinner devices, aligning with Apple’s pursuit of next-generation improvements.

The in-house project, codenamed T159, began about seven years ago within the hardware engineering teams before shifting to the hardware technologies division. Apple even established its own display manufacturing facility in Santa Clara, California dedicated to developing and testing microLED screens. Unfortunately, with the project termination, job cuts are expected at this location.

Sources suggest that Apple is now leaning towards using OLED displays for its Apple Watch lineup but may revisit microLED technology for future projects. This shift follows Apple’s recent decision to abandon its self-driving car plans after investing $1 billion in the venture.

Stay tuned for more updates on Apple’s innovations as they continue to shape the future of technology.