Mini LED backlight technology has brought a renewed vitality to LCD displays by integrating more LED chips and incorporating local dimming, which improves contrast, brightness, and other display performance metrics. As we step into 2025, both technological advancements and market applications of Mini LED backlight are showing distinct trends, signaling a possible upgrade to a Mini LED 2.0 era.
I. Mini LED Backlight Technology Upgrade: Hisense and Samsung Introduce RGB Light Sources
As the industry matures and downstream terminal manufacturers frequently adopt Mini LED backlight solutions, the number of displays using this technology has been steadily increasing. However, simply using Mini LED backlight technology alone cannot provide a competitive edge in the market. Therefore, manufacturers are increasingly turning to higher LED chip counts and more precise local dimming to create high-end displays with better contrast and detail.
But recently, major display manufacturers have begun focusing on light sources to enhance the performance of Mini LED backlight technology. At CES 2025, both Hisense and Samsung unveiled their latest Mini LED backlight solutions, integrating RGB chips as the light source to emit white light, replacing the traditional blue light with phosphor method.
Specifically, Hisense introduced the world’s first 116-inch RGB-Mini LED TV, which they claim features the world’s first RGB three-dimensional color control LCD technology and the world’s first RGB color and brightness co-controlled picture quality chip.
The RGB three-dimensional color control LCD technology allows a shift from traditional black-and-white backlighting to RGB multi-primary color backlighting, and from single light control to light and color co-control, making the Mini LED backlit displays more realistic, delicate, and detailed. Hisense stated that their RGB-Mini LED TV will be available in March 2025.
Meanwhile, Samsung also launched its RGB Micro LED TV at CES 2025, which won the CES 2025 Innovation Award. According to Samsung, this is the world’s first RGB Micro LED TV, which will achieve full-color local dimming, lowest power consumption, and thinnest design for consumer-grade displays.
Unlike traditional LED TVs that use blue light as the backlight source, this new approach utilizes Micro RGB (Red, Green, Blue) backlight technology with smaller LED chips that emit light individually. This results in more vibrant colors and a 20% reduction in power consumption.
Samsung revealed that the RGB Micro LED TV will be available in 75-inch 4K, 85-inch 4K, and the first-ever 98-inch 8K model, with plans for release later this year.
In addition to Samsung and Hisense, earlier reports indicated that TCL might also launch an RGB-LED backlit TV this year, incorporating their previously released VastZone partitioning technology along with RGB-Mini LED technology.
II. Will Mini LED Backlight Be Applied to Smartphones?
Alongside the upgrade of Mini LED technology, its application scope is also expanding. Beyond existing uses in TVs, monitors, laptops, automotive displays, and VR headsets, the Mini LED backlight technology may soon find its way into new markets.
Recent reports suggest that some display manufacturers are currently testing batches of Mini LED screens, with plans to start trial production of Mini LED backlight mobile screens. However, there has been limited information regarding this development.
Looking at the current smartphone display market, OLED technology is already well-developed, making the Mini LED backlight + LCD combination less competitive in the smartphone market. The potential value of Mini LED backlight + LCD displays in the competitive smartphone market remains to be seen, depending on how the market evolves.
III. Will Apple Rejoin the Mini LED Backlight Camp?
Earlier rumors suggested that Apple would release the second-generation Studio Display in 2025, featuring Mini LED backlight and a 90Hz refresh rate.
More recently, analyst Ross Young disclosed that this display would launch in 2026, using Mini LED from Epistar and a panel from LG Display, with a resolution of 5120×2880 (5K).
Previously, Apple had already applied Mini LED technology in several products, including the Pro Display XDR, the 5th and 6th generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and the 2021 and 2023 14/16-inch MacBook Pro, covering displays, tablets, and laptops.
However, since 2023, Apple has shifted its focus towards OLED technology and is expected to launch 9 OLED products by 2027, including iPad and MacBook products.
While this shift in focus from Apple temporarily impacted the development of Mini LED backlight technology, the announcement of the second-generation Studio Display featuring Mini LED backlighting has reignited hope for the industry. This suggests that Apple has not abandoned Mini LED technology, and it may still be applied to future products.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MiniMicroLED Insights . While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, the content on this website may include translations, re-edited versions of second-hand information, or information derived from unverifiable sources. MiniMicroLED Insights makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of such content. The information in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, MiniMicroLED Insights disclaims all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of your use of, or reliance on, the information contained in this article.
Copyright Notice: This article may include translated and re-edited content derived from various online sources, including websites and social media platforms. While we strive to credit the original authors and sources to the best of our ability, we may not always be able to verify the original source of the content. All rights to the original content remain with the original author or source publication. Where applicable, this content is reproduced for educational and informational purposes under the fair use doctrine. If you believe any content on this site infringes upon your intellectual property rights, or if you are the copyright owner and believe we have not credited you correctly, please contact us at minimicroled.business@gmail.com. We will investigate and take corrective action, including removing or properly crediting the content if necessary.
Content sourced and adapted by MiniMicroLED Insights (Doris).