The Micro LED, the next level on TV technology

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As time goes by, we have seen how one technology lags behind others in the TV market. Currently, OLED technology has set the standard for the highest level of image quality. However, this reality is about to change by new developments in the Micro Led technology. It promises to be the next tier in TV Micro LED technology.



What is Micro LED technology?

Micro LED technology is not new. Its discovery dates back to the year 2000, invented by the Hongxing Jiang research group and Jingyu Lin from Texas Tech University. In 2018, the Samsung company introduced its first model based on Micro LEDs, which was called “The Wall.” This television was marketed as a configurable modular system and had to be installed by professionals.

The Micro LED, roughly, consists of an inorganic semiconductor element of microscopic size and 1 pixel in length. Each pixel unit in this technology houses 3 self-emissive LEDs, creating an impressive density in resolution. The reward of using this technology is control over the variables that affect the final image quality, in terms of color gamut and contrast. Likewise, this Micro LED does not use organic elements for the emission of light. This factor makes the Micro LED a strong opponent against OLED technology.

Advantages of the Micro LEDs

We already said that the components of this technology are completely inorganic. As a result, the life of the units will be considerably extended using Micro LEDs. OLED TVs use light-emitting diodes that are susceptible to temperature and humidity, compromising their longevity. According to Samsung, a Micro LED TV can stay on for around 100,000 hours. That is around 11 years of uninterrupted use.

In terms of image quality with this technology, it can be attained incredible results. Current resolutions go up to 4K with 8 million pixels. One key takeaway is the backlight. Although this is already an inherent component on OLED televisions, is the intensity of the light where the difference lies. An OLED TV can reach 1000 nits of illumination. However, a Micro LED TV can reach up to 4000 nits of illumination, 4 times the intensity of an OLED.

Another benefit that is not so obvious but definitely plays a huge role in the overall performance of the TV is power consumption. Micro LEDs are extremely efficient in this regard, since it is not necessary to use filters in intermediate layers, like OLED does. What you see on the screen is directly the LED, 3 per pixel.

Another advantage of Micro LEDs is the ability to create devices with extremely thin displays. This is so, that you can create screens without a case, the thickness of a canvas sheet like that of a painting on the wall. Curiously, the primary aim with this technology were the smart watches and smart phones market, because of their small display.

Micro LED technology
Photo: Samsung

The dark side of the Micro LEDs

Great power always comes with great responsibility. In the case of Micro LED technology, the most obvious disadvantage currently is the difficulty of manufacturing the product. Consequently, this has been the reason why it has not yet been mass-produced. The LEDs in these panels are so small that a method has not yet been invented to ensure correct alignment and calibration of the panels. The production has not yet been streamlined for mass markets.

With the previous disadvantage, we have another even worse: its price. Micro LED TV prices are exorbitant. It is estimated that by 2026 there will be a better production infrastructure and prices will drop dramatically.

The leading exponents of the Micro LED technology

One of the most representative products currently using the technology is Samsung with the unveiling of its 110-inch Micro LED TV in Korea. This TV will be the first of this company for the casual audience.

Sony has representation within this market as well. The Crystal Led model is based on this technology. This TV can be ordered in any size at the customer’s request. For a size 16 x 9 feet it has a price of around $877,000 USD.

Many other companies are exploring the possibility of venturing into Micro LEDs. Perhaps when there is a larger number of companies producing TVs with this technology, there will be also more affordable prices. Even so, everything indicates that this will be the TV technology of the future, where there will be no limits as to how thin or curved the screen display is.

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