International. Driven by the growing demand for innovative and self-emitting displays, global shipments of light-emitting micro diode (microLED) displays are expected to increase to more than 16 million units in 2027, compared to negligible levels in 2020.
The growth of MicroLED display shipment is being led by demand from the smartwatch and TV markets, according to Omdia's MicroLED Display Technology and Display - 2020 report. Shipments of MicroLED displays to the smartwatch market are expected to exceed 10 million units in 2027, while shipments to the television industry will grow to more than 3.3 million units during the same year.
"Due to their superior luminance efficiency compared to rival organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, microLED displays are expected to become the next self-emissive display technology," said Jerry Kang, associate director of Omdia. "Numerous startups, display manufacturers and consumer brands are now developing their own microLED displays, devices and processes in various sizes, ranging from medium to large sizes to ultra-small dimensions."
MicroLEDs represent an emerging flat panel technology that employs sets of microscopic LEDs to understand the elements of individual pixels. Compared to conventional LCD displays, microLED displays can offer superior contrast, faster response times and reduced power consumption. As mentioned, microLEDs also offer superior luminance efficiency compared to OLEDs. As a result, microLED technology is expected to emerge as a competitor to LCD and OLED displays in applications ranging from wearable devices to TVs.
Several major technology players are taking steps to improve microLE technology and manufacturing.
Taiwanese firm AU Optronics recently unveiled a prototype 9.4-inch flexible display with blue microLED pixels under red and green color conversion filters into low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) plastic substrate.
Plessey Semiconductors announced that it will help prototype on Facebook and develop new technologies for potential use in the augmented reality/virtual reality space. Samsung Electronics presented in 2018 a prototype TV with a microLED RGB screen processed with chip on board (COB). The company plans to launch the product in 2020.
Samsung Display has also begun development of quantum dot nanorod LED (QNED) technology, which applies nanotube LEDs on an oxide TFT glass substrate. In addition, many consumer brands are expected to launch their own displays or microLED devices in the near future.
"The microLED market is poised for much faster growth once technologies for microLED chip manufacturing, including mass transfer, gain more maturity," Kang said. "The increasing use of microLED display technology will push display manufacturers to evolve away from current LCD and OLED display technologies."
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