Micro LED is a display technology that uses microscopic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to form an image. Each pixel consists of several dozen micro-LEDs, and each LED emits light independently of the others, so Micro LED displays do not require a separate backlight. This technology provides high brightness, precise control over individual pixels, and a long service life. The TV itself has a modular design, meaning it consists of modules that are assembled into a screen.
How are Micro LED displays manufactured?
Manufacturing is the main challenge of Micro LED technology.
The LEDs must be manufactured at the microscopic level and then transferred to the display substrate with extremely high precision. This process is called mass transfer. Millions of LEDs must be placed in the correct positions and connected to the power and control bus. Since it is difficult to manufacture such a large screen in a single step, a modular design is used: the TV screen is assembled from several dozen modules. This also solves the issue of serviceability: in the event of a malfunction, a single module can be replaced rather than the entire TV.
Advantages and Features of Micro LED Technology
Micro LED technology has a number of characteristics that make it suitable for high-end displays.High brightness is one of its key features. The LEDs themselves form the image and can operate with high luminous efficiency.
Pixel-level control allows the display to independently control individual pixels. This provides precise control over the image and allows pixels to be completely turned off when displaying black. Micro LED technology uses inorganic LEDs designed for long-term operation; furthermore, they are not prone to burn-in.
TVs with Micro LED Technology
The complexity of manufacturing and placing millions of microscopic LEDs makes TVs with Micro LED technology expensive. This has limited the use of this technology primarily to premium products with large screens.
Micro LED technology has been in development for many years, but televisions featuring it remain very expensive. The high production cost is the main reason they have not become a mass-market product.
Micro LED TVs are primarily available as large, premium models, while most consumers prefer more affordable display technologies. As a result, demand for Micro LED TVs is very low. Since their market debut in 2018, they have failed to gain a foothold in the market.
Micro LED display manufacturers
Micro LED TVs are produced by a limited number of manufacturers because the technology is difficult and expensive to manufacture. Several major companies have developed Micro LED displays, but only some of them have offered products intended for the TV market. Most Micro LED products are large-screen premium models, while other manufacturers have focused on professional and commercial displays.
| Manufacturer | Micro LED products | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Micro LED TVs | Large-screen premium Micro LED TVs |
| TCL | Micro LED TVs | Large-screen Micro LED models, including 163-inch displays |
| Hisense | Micro LED displays | Developed Micro LED technology and demonstrated large displays |
| Konka | Micro LED displays | Developed large-format Micro LED display products |
| Skyworth | Micro LED displays | Developed Micro LED display technology and prototypes |
| BOE | Micro LED displays | Major Chinese display manufacturer developing Micro LED panels and commercial displays |
| Sony | Crystal LED | Micro LED-based professional and commercial display systems |
| LG | Micro LED displays | Developed Micro LED display technology, mainly for large-format and professional applications |
