MicroLED, a new type of TV technology, is here. But will 2021 finally be the year of its arrival on conventional television? Ever since we laid eyes on Samsung's 'wall' at CES 2018, we've been eagerly waiting to see if this exciting new panel technology catches on in such a competitive market, or is left behind in favor of cheaper alternatives. Fast forward to today and "The Wall" is back. In a series of announcements ahead of CES 2021, Samsung has unveiled a new MicroLED array that can be wall-mounted without professional installation, and it appears to take advantage of its modular design. The important thing is that this is not the only example of MicroLED technology. Wearable technology and augmented reality developer Vuzix announced its latest pair of smart glasses at CES 2021, which are powered by microLED technology. Also, Apple reportedly toyed with microLED technology to add it to a future version of the Apple Watch (although it wasn't added to the Apple Watch Series 6). Lastly, it is also used in movie making, as we recently explored while filming The Mandalorian. At this point, you may be wondering "what about OLED?" And, "I just sold my house to buy an OLED TV, will my wife/husband/loved one be mad at me?" Don't worry, it doesn't look like microLED is going to replace OLED any time soon, as it's still in its early stages and far from mass production. So with all unfounded fears (at least for a while) aside, let's explore what exactly microLED is, what it will be used for, and whether it will ever replace OLED.
What is microLED?
Simply put, microLED takes traditional LEDs and reduces them to the microscopic level. Now this may not seem all that impressive at first glance, but due to the small size of these LEDs and the fact that they are self-emitting, microLED is capable of producing an image with brightness that rivals OLED. - without any of the disadvantages associated with the use of an organic substance. This means you won't have to worry about a microLED screen degrading over time. A microLED screen, except for external forces, will remain at its maximum brightness without natural degradation. You won't have to worry about screen burn-in, either, which will be a godsend for anyone playing the game, or even for the makers of smartphones and smartwatches that otherwise should be. 'They care about UI elements that reduce the lifespan of their devices. The only problem here is that it is currently extremely difficult to make any type of display with microLEDs, even for robots. For a standard 55-inch panel, you're looking at millions of microLEDs that need to be positioned perfectly. Misalignment can lead to uneven lighting and colors, so until manufacturers can overcome this hurdle, we likely won't see this technology mainstream. Not to be confused with QLED TV, Samsung's other high-end panel technology, which you can see a lot in Samsung's 2020 lineup of TVs, and upcoming sets heading into 2021.MicroLED vs. OLED
The most important thing that separates microLED and OLED is price. It wouldn't make a lot of sense to make a lot of TVs with microLED technology, so OLED wins there, because you can literally print it. There is also the issue of longevity. OLED, because it uses an organic compound that naturally breaks down over time, doesn't last forever. That's a problem, mainly because when you spend thousands of dollars on a high-end TV, you do so assuming you're making an investment that will last a while. And while you probably won't see any degradation in the first 5 years of using your device, it won't stay that way. Not to mention burnt. As the game becomes more and more popular, with devices like the Nintendo Switch attracting people who have never played it before, burning will start making a lot of headlines, and more. as the price of OLED displays drops. MicroLED does not have this problem. It's a shame that microLED is so far from being implemented in consumer TVs. However, it's a completely different story when it comes to mobile technology. Apple with its Apple Watch and Google with its supposed return of Google Glass are investing in microLED technology, although we haven't seen any hard evidence of that yet. Perhaps this is where microLED will shine for years to come. That said, though, don't expect the first generation of microLED wearables to be cheap: Apple will have to recoup the cost of the research somehow.- MicroLED not on your radar? Instead, check out our OLED vs QLED comparison.