MicroLED smartphones will not arrive until the 2030s, notebooks and monitors a little earlier

Building large microLED displays is currently still an unsolved problem. Above all, the technology has not matured enough so as to be (affordably) suitable for the mass market. There are neither smartphones nor notebooks or even monitors with microLED displays, apart from the use of the technology as backlighting. In terms of marketing, these displays are often referred to as microLED displays, even if they are unable to show the special features of the technology.

The special thing about microLED technology is the bright and, above all, self-illuminating pixel. Major advances are constantly being made in the miniature range, meaning that mass use in VR or AR glasses and wearables is getting ever closer. Jade Bird Display, for example, recently reported over one million candelas per square meter in the color red. RGB micro displays are the industry's next challenge.

But what about larger devices? Smartphones, tablets, notebooks and PC monitors would be quite interesting, for which the MicroLED Association has published a roadmap. Accordingly, smartphones that utilize microLEDs as self-illuminating pixels shouldn't be expected any time soon.

No developers are currently working on such a project, according to the association. Hence, the first prototypes are not expected until the next decade. Between 2030 and 2033, the technology may be ready for use in smartphone prototypes for the first time and could well be in competition with QLED technology. BOE recently showcased blue QLEDs with good display quality for the first time at Display Week 2023. Like OLEDs, the color blue is a big problem in QLEDs (not to be confused with QD-LCDs with LED lighting, which Samsung markets as QLEDs).

Nonetheless, the first microLED displays are expected to appear on the notebook and PC monitor market sooner. The same applies to tablets. The MicroLED Association expects the first research results to be available between 2026 and 2029. The first pilot systems may begin production from 2030 and the first premium products may even come onto the market by 2033.

This is reminiscent of particularly large microLED displays such as Samsung's The Wall. The use of microLED technology is already feasible in this area, but at a very high price that only the wealthy or companies are willing to pay.

The main problem at present is the cost-effectiveness of the technology. The mass transfer of microLEDs onto a carrier, for example, faces problems with yield, which makes production more expensive. Other production processes are also being researched. Here, the decades-old technologies LCD and OLED have the advantages of proven production.