China-based San’an Optoelectronics announced that it is progressing with its microLED products for AR applications, and is moving from the technology verification state, to the small-batch verification stage.
San'an further says that it is working with both domestic and global device makers to optimize its microLED products.
Researchers from China's Xiamen University, Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, Xiamen University Malaysia , Birkenau University (Turkey), and Lattice Optoelectronics have developed a new red InGaN LED device that achieved high efficiency - 11.78% EQE, and 1.1% EQE at microLED sizes (10 micron).
To achieve this high efficiency, the researchers have optimized the device V-pit to promote the effectiveness of three-dimensional current pathways and facilitate localized electric field redistribution. The researchers explain that this improvement enhances hole injection while suppressing nonradiative recombination, this work contributes to the microstructure design in InGaN-based red LEDs.
According to Korean media reports, Samsung will launch a flagship 130-inch microLED RGB TV (microLED-backlit LCD) at CES 2026 next week. It is likely this model will be quite pricey, as Samsung's current 115-inch model costs $30,000.
A few weeks ago we reported that Samsung will introduce new microLED RGB TVs at CES, five different models: 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and 100-inches. But it seems it has recently decided to also launch a new flagship model, at 130-inch.
TCL CSOT announced that it has acquired 80% of Fujian Zhaoyuan Optoelectronics, for 490 million Yuan (around $70 million USD). TCL hopes that this acquisition will strengthen its in-house miniLED and microLED capabilities and technologies.
Fujian ZhaoYuan Optoelectronics (also known as Fujian Prima Optoelectronics) develops and produces LED epitaxial wafers and LED chips. It operates a mass LED production facility, and focuses on miniLED direct-view displays, automotive lighting and LCD backlighting units.
US-based Syntec Optics Holdings announced that it received a new order from the US army to manufacture advanced optical components that will enable AR displays based on microLED imaging.
The company says that it will develop lightweight, high-clarity optics to support XR prototypes designed for modern warfare. The optics will enable microLED imaging through a visor.
China-based microLED developer Micro Win (known as Maiyun Display), announced that it has lit up its first microLED active-matrix display module. The module is produced using the company's own Driver-MiP technology that integrates the micro-IC with three microLEDs (RGB).
Micro Win is using a 90nm process to deposit the silicon-based driver IC. The company says it uses fan-out wafer level package (FOWLP) technology to achieve high-density interconnection with micro LED chips. This is said to be the first large-area micro-IC based microLED display in China.
Yole Group has updated its microLED market forecasts, saying that the industry is now at a critical phase, as both wearable and automotive microLED displays are entering low-level production (at AUO's 4.5-Gen line), it has to be seen whether producers can achieve high yields and manufacturability, and reduce costs going forward.
As you can see above, Yole believes that actual meaningful volumes will begin only in 2027-2028, and the market will grow to reach almost $5 billion in revenue (at the panel level) by 2032. Most of the revenue will come from microdisplays (for AR/VR), luxury TVs, and automotive displays.
Korea-based microLED backplane developer Sapien Semiconductors announced that it has signed a $3.7 million contract with a global microdisplay solutions company for the development and supply of CMOS microLED backplane products. It appears as if this contract is just a first step in a strategic collaboration agreement that was decided with this company.
As you can see above, Sapien shared their supply chain view, where Sapien provides the microLED CMOS backplane, and then its partner provides the frontplane (microLED) deposition and finally an OEM integrates the display engine in an AR product.
US-based signage developer Daktronics announced that it has acquired IP, equipment and technical expertise from X Display Company (XDC). It is not clear whether XDC remains an active company, or whether it has shut down after the acquisition. The company did not disclose the financial implications of this acquisition.
Daktronics says that the acquisition will enable it to integrate these technologies into its own products. The IP assets include XDC's mass transfer technologies and microLED fabrication, which Daktronics aims to use in large-format video walls and medium-sized commercial displays.
China-based microLED microdisplay developer JBD launched a new color projector module, branded as Roadrunner I. The company says that this new product achieves smaller pixel size and increased optical efficiency compared to its earlier generation products, translating into a substantial advantage in overall form factor and image performance for full-color AR smart glasses.
The Roadrunner I projector utilizes JBD's latest 10,160 PPI (2.5 um pitch) Hummingbird monochrome microLED microdisplay, that JBD announced two months ago. The display module offers a 25-degrees field of view (FOV) and achieves an angular resolution of up to 32 pixels per degree (PPD), delivering an increase of over 20% relative to previous products from JBD. The Roadrunner I can operate at 480 Hz, an ultra-high refresh rate.
