MicroLED technology is a next-generation emissive display technology that promises highly efficient and bright displays that offer superior image quality with infinite contrast and a wide color gamut.
MicroLED can be applied to displays of many kinds - from small displays for smartwatches and AR devices to large-area TV displays.
Tiled MicroLED TV displays
One unique feature of microLED technology is the ability to create seamless large-area displays made from small display tiles. This unique feature is interesting because it can creates extremely large displays in which the cost grows linearly with display size, unlike standard LCD and OLED TV displays which grows exponentially more expensive as display grows.
The Wall by Samsung
Several companies developed such tiled display technology, including Sony, Samsung, Konka, LG and others. Tiled large-area microLED TVs are available on the market today, but prices are very expensive and these are highly premium devices. Are you looking to buy such a TV? Check out our 2021 MicroLED TV buying guide.
One interesting thing to note is that while most so-called microLED TVs are indeed emissive displays, the actual LED chips inside these TVs are not always miicroLEDs, but sometimes actually mini-LEDs (this is true for example in Samsung's TVs, at least for the first-gen models).
Consumer MicroLED TVs
Companies are also developing consumer-grade MicroLED TVs. These will be produced on standard TFT glass substrates, in a similar fashion to OLEDs and LCDs. Producing such consumer MicroLED displays at competitive prices is a huge challenge due to the extreme number of microLED chips - a 4K TV requires almost 25 million individual microLED chips - and these need to be produced on a wafer and transferred to the final TV substrate.
It will likely take many years before consumer MicroLED TVs at affordable prices can be produced. In 2021 we posted a buying guide for microLED TVs.
The latest MicroLED TV news:
Seoul Semiconductor unveils new vertically-stacked WICOP microLED prototypes at Display Week 2023
During Display Week 2023, Seoul Semiconductor demonstrated new prototype display modules that use its WICOP microPixel technology. WICOP Pixel is a full-color one-chip vertically-stacked microLED technology that does not require wire bonding, packaging, or lens, and enables easier microLED display production.
Seoul Semi updates that its latest WICOP Pixels reach a brightness of 10,000 nits (up from 4,000 in its previous generation technology).
AUO to convert one of its LCD fabs to microLED production by 2025
A few days ago, AUO announced that it has finalized the development of its wearable microLED display, and the company is now launching the 1.39" round smartwatch display commercially, with mass production expected in the second half of 2023.
Yesterday AUO announced that it plans to convert its LCD 5A fab in Taiwan's Longtan District into a microLED production line. The new line will begin microLED production in 2025 or 2026, targeting wearable displays, automotive displays, TVs and signage displays.
MicroLED Tiled Displays - current status and future roadmaps
The MicroLED Industry Association published today a new white paper, that is focused on Tiled MicroLED TVs. One of the advantages of microLED technology is the ability to create completely seamless tiled displays, offering unique cost and design advantages. Tiled microLED displays are already on the market, but available displays are extremely expensive, targeting the commercial and ultra-premium residential markets.
This whitepaper discusses tiled microLED displays, the current market and industry status, the technologies required to produce such displays, the roadmap ahead – and also a microLED tiled TV chip cost analysis and a discussion on how could such displays compete with premium OLED TV displays.
The white paper is published on the MicroLED Association's website, and is open to the public.
Asus launches a 135-inch 4K microLED professional display
Asus has launched several new products, including the company's first microLED display, the 135-inch 4K ProArt Cinema PQ07. The company targets applications such as broadcasting, virtual production - and home cinema.
The display features a 0.7815 mm pixel pitch, 2000-nits peak brightness and a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut.
Samsung installs a 146" 4K microLED Wall display at Dubai's Atlantis The Royal resort
The Atlantis The Royal resort in Dubai, installed a 146" Samsung Wall MicroLED display at its Royal Mansion suite. The display offers a 4K (3840x2160) resolution and (according to Samsung) offers a "one-of-a-kind, personal viewing experience unmatched by other displays as the slim, sleek finish of The Wall’s Infinity Design blends in naturally with the suite’s refined elegance".
The resort also installed several other smart signage solutions by Samsung, including LED signage, large touchscreens with smart signage solutions and outdoor signage displays.
AUO launches commercial wearable microLED displays, to show new microLED prototypes and technologies
AU Optronics released some very interesting information as the company gets ready to showcase its latest microLED displays and technologies at Touch Taiwan 2023.
So first of all, AUO announced that it has finalized the development of its wearable microLED display, and the company is now launching the 1.39" round smartwatch display commercially. AUO demonstrated the wearable microLED display back in 2021 - a 1.39-inch 472x472 full-circle panel, that was developed together with PlayNitride. It's not clear when AUO actually plans to start selling this display to its customers, and what will be its production capacity.
MicroLEDs at Electronic Displays conference: a talk with conference chairman Prof. Karlheinz Blankenbach
The European Electronics Display Conference (edC), which takes place next week at Nuremberg, Germany, is a leading display conference, which takes part as part of the embedded world event. The conference focuses on industrial and automotive displays, and includes two days of keynote speeches and sessions.
MicroLEDs are featured at the conference, as the organizers realize the importance of the next-generation display technology. We had a short talk with the conference charimen Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Blankenbach from Pforzheim University's Display Lab.
Q: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us, Dr. Karlheinz. Can you tell us a bit about the Electronic Display Europe Conference?
AUO says it plans to start producing wearable microLED displays by the end of 2023
AU Optronics revealed that the company plans to start mass producing microLED displays for wearable applications by the end of 2023. The company developed its own mass transfer technology that it says makes it possible to produce displays commercially. The company also plans to use microLED display technology to produce automotive displays, and TVs, later on.
AUO demonstrated a wearable microLED display back in 2021 - a a 1.39-inch 472x472 (338 PPI) full-circle panel, that was developed together with PlayNitride.
LG shows a 272" 8K microLED MAGNIT TV, also shares a nice installation video of its launch event in India
LG Business Solutions launched its MAGNIT MicroLED TVs in India, and the company shared a nice launch-event video showing the first installation in India for the event:
LG's latest microLED TVs are the LSAD series, for which the main size is a 136-inch 4K display. The TVs offer 2000-nits and 120Hz, and are powered by LG's latest Alpha 9 AI-enhanced processor and the company's own webOS smart TV platform.
GridHiFi shares how it installed a 110" Samsung MicroLED TV screen at its showroom
Texas-based A/V retailer GridHiFi posted an unboxing video in which they open and install a 110" Samsung MicroLED TV in their showroom:
As you can see, this TV comes pre-assembled (even though it is made from different tiles) and easily installed.
