Micro LED, hailed as the ultimate display technology, stands out over other display technologies with its superior attributes such as resolution, lifespan, viewing angle, contrast, response time, operating temperature, and device size. In recent years, major display panel companies have intensified their R&D and market expansion efforts in Micro LED. So, what is the current status of its development? Recently, leading listed companies including Leyard, Tianma, Unilumin, and Nationstar shared updates on their R&D and commercial progress during institutional investigations.
Targeting the Consumer Market with Micro LED
Leyard stated that the company has successfully achieved small-scale trial production of PM-driven glass-based Micro LED display panels. The company is actively exploring and upgrading glass-based technologies, building patent protection barriers around these innovations. At the same time, they are advancing the construction of a pilot production base, continuously exploring new application scenarios and technological upgrade pathways to meet the future demand for multi-scenario, low-cost, and low-energy applications in specialized, commercial, and consumer display sectors.
Tianma revealed that since 2017, the company has been investing in Micro LED technology. In 2022, they jointly established a specialized Micro LED production line, covering the entire process from mass transfer to display modules. This production line successfully lit up its first product on June 26, 2024, and it is expected to achieve small-scale production by the end of 2025.
In terms of Micro LED applications, Tianma focuses on automotive displays and video wall displays while exploring large-sized screens, consumer displays, wearable displays, and professional display applications. The company has already launched several industry-leading Micro LED products with core technical indicators, such as high transparency, seamless stitching, adjustable transparency, ultra-low reflection, and ultra-high PPI, positioning itself at the forefront of the industry.
Leyard emphasized their significant investment in Micro LED over the past few years. The main technical path pursued is MIP (Massive Transfer), which began production at the end of 2020. Currently, the company is expanding the production of advanced MIP using smaller chips, aiming to deliver cost-effective and superior display quality. The use of smaller chips not only offers better performance but also reduces costs, which will significantly stimulate the demand for high-definition displays with less than 1mm pixel pitch. Leyard is also investing in R&D for new applications, such as all-in-one machines and cinema screens, anticipating broad market prospects.
Unilumin also recently disclosed that the company is at the forefront of rapidly transitioning from Mini LED technology to Micro LED technology. The company’s Mini/Micro LED production capacity is increasing year over year. “The company plans to drive its leadership in Micro LED technology with innovation, which will enable it to enter the consumer market,” said a company spokesperson.
Industrialization of Micro LED Continues to Mature
As for the future of Micro LED, Leyard pointed out that Micro LED display products have characteristics such as high resolution, high refresh rate, high brightness, wide color gamut, high contrast, low power consumption, and long lifespan. These products have already been successfully applied in specialized and commercial sectors such as security, military, transportation, electricity, energy, film and television, conferences, education, and exhibitions. They are gradually expanding into consumer markets such as television/home theaters, VR/AR, and smart wearable devices.
“The industrialization of Micro LED is maturing, and its application scenarios are broad, with substantial future demand,” said Leyard. The Chinese government has shown strong support for the development of Micro LED and other advanced display technologies by issuing policies and guidelines. Many domestic companies are now intensifying their investments in Micro LED, particularly in mainstream packaging technologies like COB, leading to fierce competition within the Micro LED industry, which in turn accelerates technological advancement and rapid industrial growth.
According to a senior executive from Leyard, Micro LED‘s smaller chip size and advanced packaging techniques allow it to enter market segments that Mini LED cannot penetrate, such as applications with pixel pitches below 1.0mm or customers requiring higher resolution. As costs decrease and technology breakthroughs occur, Micro LED is expected to gradually expand into even wider application fields, including not only large-screen displays but also smaller consumer-oriented applications.
Tianma executives stated, “We are optimistic about the future of Micro LED. As the leading organization of China’s Micro LED Ecosystem Alliance, we remain committed to uniting the upstream and downstream industries, overcoming technological challenges, and advancing the healthy, sustainable development and commercialization of Micro LED.”
Micro LED is considered the ultimate display technology, with its primary applications in large-scale displays. However, following the rapid growth of automotive applications post-2027, it will serve as a major support for the industry’s development. The market value is expected to reach $600 million by 2028, excluding capital investment in equipment and R&D, which suggests a significant growth effect.
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