Samsung preparing for $6 billion AR clash with Apple and Meta

Augmented reality glasses are projected to be a big business, with some estimates suggesting the market could be worth more multiple billions in the coming years. Unsurprisingly, some of the biggest names in tech want a piece of this market, including Apple and Meta.

Samsung's not too far behind. It's already expected to launch its first AR smart glasses later this year. The company is also working on a technology that would put it in direct competition with those two companies.

Korean media reports that Samsung has sped up its development work for the LED on Silicon (LEDoS) technology. This is a display platform that utilizes microLEDs on top of silicon wafers. Samsung aims for commercial production of this technology by 2027 when its mobile division is expected to launch its second-generation AR glasses with LEDoS, putting it in a direct clash with Meta and Apple, who are said to launch similar products.

Samsung started working on LEDoS displays back in 2023. It began scaling up development earlier this year. A dedicated microLED team has been formed in its Compound Semiconductor Solutions division, led by Yoon Seok-ho, a veteran display expert who has previously worked on microLED projects.

LEDoS displays are highly suited to AR glasses as they deliver ultra-high resolution in a compact form factor with great power efficiency, compared to conventional panels. LEDoS is projected to be a $6 billion business opportunity by 2032, as Samsung wants to become a major supplier of LEDoS solutions.

Meta's Orion AR glasses are already using LEDoS-based displays while Apple is reportedly considering both internal development and external cooperation for its LEDOS requirements. This would be an opportunity for Samsung to become a supplier of critical components for Apple's AR glasses.

Other companies will eventually enter the fray as well and Samsung would then do what it does best, supply cutting-edge display solutions and turn a tidy profit.