Omnivision unveils industry-first single-chip LCOS display for power-efficient AR glasses

Omnivision has unveiled a new technology for AR glasses that could mark a turning point for the category. It is the industry’s first single-chip LCOS display designed to both sharpen image quality and cut power draw—two pain points that have held smart glasses back.

Built on Liquid Crystal on Silicon and integrating the entire system on one chip, the new display offers 1632 x 1536 resolution and refresh rates up to 90 Hz, while the optical module measures just 0.26 inches. The single-chip architecture enables high detail with lower energy use compared with multi-component designs.

For the AR market, that matters. Major players like Apple, Google, and Samsung are preparing for a post-smartphone era yet keep running into battery-life limits. Omnivision expects its new display to help partners build more practical, energy-efficient AR glasses in the coming years. If panels like this become mainstream, manufacturers could edge closer to solving a central issue—the screen’s very short runtime between charges. It’s a pragmatic step rather than a moonshot, and that’s precisely what the field needs.

With consumer AR glasses from big-name brands anticipated around 2027, and Samsung possibly joining in after the Galaxy XR announcement, the timing feels right. Still, to win over the mass market, smart glasses must not only get more capable but also look like everyday eyewear and last an entire day—areas where displays and power efficiency will be decisive. Omnivision’s single-chip LCOS points in that direction, even if the final mile remains ahead.