One of the flagship products in the global Micro LED display market is Samsung’s The WALL. Although its sales have been limited since its launch in 2018, it has attracted considerable attention as Samsung’s “pioneering product” in its pursuit of next-generation display technology.
On November 7, Tianma held its Tianma Innovation Conference 2024 in Xiamen, where Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Blankenbach, a professor at Pforzheim University in Germany and the Honorary Chairman of Displayforum (DFF), expressed that the Micro LED technology, with its attributes of high transparency, high brightness, and high reliability, is expected to become the “ultimate display technology” in the future.
The strategic significance of Micro LED is immense, and it’s clear that China’s industry players are “taking the lead.” At this product launch event, Tianma raised the stakes and set high expectations!
Manufacturing and Market Integration
At the Tianma Microelectronics Global Innovation Conference, Tianma, in collaboration with Hisense Visual and Qianzhao Optoelectronics, unveiled a Micro LED display prototype with the highest PPI in the world.
The prototype utilizes a TFT-based driving method, with a pitch of P0.4, a contrast ratio of up to 1000000:1, and incorporates Tianma’s proprietary GOA in AA backplane driving design, independently developed side-line innovation technology, and full-laser mass transfer technology. Additionally, the zero-border design supports free splicing in both horizontal and vertical directions, achieving seamless displays that are perfect for high-end TVs, video walls, home theaters, commercial displays, and large in-vehicle screens.
Not only was the sample impressive, but Tianma’s Micro LED Research Institute Deputy Director Xi Ke Rui also announced that the Micro LED production line will finalize its process by the end of this year, completing the full manufacturing process. By next year, Tianma will focus on improving production yields and efficiency, moving towards small-batch production.
During the event, attendees also took note of Tianma’s strategic partners: Hisense Visual and Qianzhao Optoelectronics. Hisense Visual, a global leader in TV manufacturing, has kept pace with Samsung, and even surpassed it in some areas, particularly in large-size LCDs, Mini LED LCD TVs, and laser TVs.
Qianzhao Optoelectronics, a leading manufacturer of full-color, advanced LED epitaxial wafers and chips, provides upstream LED chips to Tianma. Headquartered in Xiamen, Qianzhao’s proximity to Tianma’s Xiamen panel base enables strong synergy between the two companies. Additionally, Qianzhao is a subsidiary of the Hisense Group.
This strategic alliance between Qianzhao Optoelectronics, Hisense Visual, and Tianma completes the full LED display supply chain. As such, Tianma’s product launch is not just a “technology showcase” but also a declaration of “product commercialization.” This marks a significant shift from technology research and development to market expansion in the Micro LED industry.
TFT-Micro LED: The Battle for the Next-Gen TV Display
Currently, most products in the global LED direct display market use PM drive and PCB substrates. However, this technology is not suitable for applications demanding superior picture quality and ultra-thin designs. TFT glass or resin-based substrates with AM active drive are becoming the focus of next-generation displays, such as Samsung’s The WALL.
It is reported that Samsung’s The WALL primarily uses panels supplied by Taiwan-based AU Optronics. AU Optronics is constructing the world’s most advanced 4.5-generation Micro LED production line, scheduled to be completed by October this year and expected to enter mass production by 2025.
The key term here is “mass production!” Tianma also plans to move towards mass production of Micro LED lines by 2025. Additionally, another domestic display panel company, Visionox, recently launched its first TFT-based Micro LED production line in Chengdu and expects mass production in 2025. BOE HC SemiTek also officially launched its Micro LED wafer manufacturing and packaging testing base in Zhuhai in November, with its MLED Zhuhai Project expected to enter the equipment installation phase by December and commence mass production in the first quarter of 2025.
According to a report by Zhuhai Special Zone News, MLED is seen as the next-generation, and even ultimate, display solution, solving issues such as OLED’s limited application scenarios and burn-in problems. It is expected to be used in large-screen commercial displays, wearable devices, automotive screens, cinema screens, and AR glasses. This report, particularly emphasizing Micro LED’s advantages over OLED for large-screen applications, highlights the growing importance of Micro LED as the future of displays.
The Cost of Micro LED: Price Drops Ahead
Earlier this year, Samsung held an internal seminar, formed a dedicated task force, and invited over thirty Micro LED TV industry chain companies to launch a plan aimed at reducing costs by up to 90%. As the core panel supplier, AU Optronics believes that Micro LED needs to reach price parity with OLED at the same size within five years to remain competitive in the market.
According to market research firm IHS Markit, the material cost for a 65-inch Micro LED TV is at least $4,900, while the cost of a 65-inch white OLED TV is around $400. Meanwhile, the prices of large-size 4K LCD TV panels range from $500 to $1,500. The high price is the key factor limiting the growth of the Micro LED market.
Currently, the Micro LED market follows a “high price, small scale” pyramid structure. However, with more suppliers joining, such as AU Optronics expanding production, and companies like Tianma, Visionox, and BOE ramping up efforts, the supply will soon exceed demand, particularly as the domestic market shows a steady increase in demand.
Industry insiders predict that this will lead to a reduction in costs and prices as supply expands, fueling increased market demand. As Micro LED manufacturers begin mass production, they will be able to leverage economies of scale, ultimately driving prices down.
Micro LED: The Future of Commercial and Consumer Displays
Twenty years ago, LCD technology was striving to catch up with severely lagging competitors. Ten years ago, OLED technology sought to maintain a competitive pace. Today, Micro LED technology positions Chinese companies at the forefront, leading the global direction in this new race. With China’s robust LED manufacturing, R&D, and consumer industries, domestic players are poised for success, but still need to focus on strengthening collaboration to perfect the industry’s “human factor.”
This long-standing competitive landscape in the display industry makes the Tianma launch event, which showcased the Tianma, Hisense, and Qianzhao collaboration, particularly noteworthy. This event marks an important step toward perfecting the Micro LED industry’s “human factor” and signals the future potential of this new technology.
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