2020 and 2021 are the years for mini-LED displays to grow. Electronics manufacturers all launched their product lines based on mini-LEDs. The popularity of backlit mini-LEDs paved the way for micro-LED displays, with the large signage display and TVs as the initial adoption. More analysis is discussed in the IDTechEx report, “Micro-LED Displays 2021-2031: Technology, Commercialization, Opportunity, Market and Players.”
When discussing mini-LED and micro-LED, a very common feature to distinguish the two is the LED size. Both technologies are based on inorganic LEDs. As the names indicate, mini-LEDs are considered as LEDs in the millimeter range while micro-LEDs are in the micrometer range. However, in reality, the distinction is not so strict, and the definition may vary from person to person. But it is commonly accepted that micro-LEDs are under 100 µm size, and even under 50 µm, while mini-LEDs are much larger.
When applied in the display industry, size is just one factor when people are talking about mini-LED and micro-LED displays. Another feature is the thickness and substrate. Mini-LEDs usually have a large thickness of over 100 µm, largely due to the existence of LED substrates. Micro-LEDs are usually substrateless and, therefore, the finished units are extremely thin.
A third feature that is used to distinguish the two is the mass transfer techniques that are utilized to handle the LEDs. Mini-LEDs usually adopt conventional pick-and-place techniques including surface-mounting technology. Every time the number of LEDs that can be transferred is limited. For micro-LEDs, usually millions of LEDs need to be transferred when a heterogenous target substrate is used; therefore, the number of LEDs to be transferred at a time is significantly larger, and thus disruptive mass transfer technique should be considered.
The differences between mini-LEDs and micro-LEDs determine their ease of realization and technology maturity.
Two forms of mini-LED displays
Mini-LEDs can be used as the backlight source for a conventional liquid crystal display (LCD), or as self-emissive pixel emitters.
In terms of backlight application, mini-LEDs can improve existing LCD technology, with enhanced colors and contrast. Essentially, they replace edge-type backlight's dozens of high luminance LEDs with tens of thousands of direct-type mini-LED units. The level of high dynamic range (HDR) fineness sets a new record.
Even though the mini-LED unit is yet not able to local dim pixel by pixel such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) can, at least it can meet the extreme requirements to process local dimming signals for HDR imaging. In addition, LCD panels with mini-LED backlights tend to provide a better color rendering index and can be manufactured as thin as an OLED panel.
Different from backlit mini-LED displays, which are essentially LCDs, when using mini-LEDs as the pixels, they are called direct emissive LED displays. This kind of display precedes micro-LED displays.
From mini to micro
Facing the difficulties in chip manufacturing and mass transfer, emissive mini-LED displays are a compromised solution for future micro-LEDs. From mini-LED to micro-LED displays, not only the LED size and thickness are further reduced; the involving manufacturing techniques and supply chain also will be different. The rapid penetration of mini-LED displays, no matter backlight-based or emissive counterparts, helps the establishment of the supply chain and assists the accumulation of know-how and experience.
Micro-LED displays have value propositions such as wide color gamut, high luminance, low power consumption, excellent stability and long lifetime, wide view angle, high dynamic range, high contrast, fast refresh rate, transparency, seamless connection, and sensor integration capability. Some features are unique for micro-LED technology; therefore, it is considered a potential game-changer in the display industry.
The IDTechEx report mainly focuses on micro-LED displays, with analysis on mini-LED displays as well. It provides more detailed information and insights on the technologies, market status, opportunities, challenges, players, and activities. For more information on this report, visit www.idtechex.com/microled.
