Micro LED: everything you need to know about display technology

In the battle for consumer engagement, the TV industry has thrown around many acronyms and new technologies such as Mini LED, QD-OLED and the subject of this explainer, Micro LED.

Micro LED should not be confused with Mini LED although they sound like they should be identical. What Micro LED claims to do is deliver all the benefits of OLED without having the same issues with brightness and image retention.

So what exactly is Micro LED? Here's everything you need to know.

What is a Micro LED?

We agree, the name might seem confusing at first, especially when it comes to TVs.

This is a relatively new type of display panel and unlike LCD TVs which have a separate LED backlight, a Micro LED combines them.

Micro LED screens are made up of micrometer-sized LED lights, so when you look at a pixel, you're actually looking at a cluster of three LEDs that produce every detail sting.

And because the light is generated by the pixels themselves, they can switch off entirely to create so-called 'perfect' black, meaning the overall image has a much greater sense of vibrancy and depth.

This is in many ways similar to what OLED panels can do, and that means Micro LED delivers vibrant images with great viewing angles.

However, OLED TVs haven't yet been able to match their LCD counterparts for brightness (although that's starting to change with flagship OLED screens). In general, HDR images don't reach the same peak brightness, giving Micro LED the edge in terms of color volume (accurately representing color at different brightness levels) and punch.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Micro LED?

We've already talked about how, like OLED, a Micro LED is self-illuminating that can produce perfect blacks. Micro LED uses non-organic elements for its screen unlike OLED, which allows it to push the brightness further, achieve even better contrast levels for a more natural and lifelike image, and allow it to last longer. longer life than OLED screens.

Another advantage is that it can be modular. While traditional TVs are made to a bespoke size that cannot be changed, Micro LED TVs can be made up of a number of smaller panels that clip together to form a larger screen like a Destructicon from Transformers. .

You can, for example, buy a few modules to make a TV smaller, then add more if you move into a bigger house with more space for a TV. Samsung even said you could use modules to build a Micro LED TV that has a completely different aspect ratio than your average TV.

Response times are quick and wide-angle viewing is impressive, delivering bright, colorful images no matter what angle you're facing the screen from. Based on that, you'd think Micro LED should be the only TV to get, given how well it gets all the attributes that make a good TV.

But Micro LED has its own problems. On the one hand, getting such small LEDs to achieve the right brightness levels proves to be quite a challenge, given the complexity of the panel structure.

The first Micro LED TVs were available in gigantic sizes: 110 and 99 inches, which means you'll need quite a bit of space to enjoy your brand new Micro LED TV. They also need to be installed by a professional, although Samsung has announced that a 76-inch model does not require professional installation.

The greatest benefits of this modularity will likely be felt by manufacturers, who will be able to produce one panel for all their different sizes of TVs and then put them together as needed, rather than having to produce endless varieties of different panels.

Samsung has announced more pre-made (i.e. pre-built) sizes such as 50, 63, 89, 101, 114, and 140-inch models for 2023 alongside the 76-inch display. However, not much is known about these models, and despite Samsung's announcement, there are still no concrete details on the availability and pricing of the new models, although you can assume they won't be. cheap as the 89-inch was around $80. for its release in 000.

Can it be used for other purposes?

Screen technology has been reserved for other products. Years ago it was mentioned that Apple was investigating Micro LED panels, although it was first hinted at for the Apple Watch in 2018. If that happens, it's not expected until 2025 as soon as possible.

It's not just smartwatches that could get the display technology. It could also be integrated into iPhones, although we shouldn't expect to see it for several years.

It's also said to be in development for VR headsets with their higher pixel densities and faster response times, although there's no timeline for when that might be introduced.