Mini-LED and micro-LED are considered the next big trend in display technology. They have a wide range of applications in various electronic devices and are becoming increasingly popular among users, with related companies continuously increasing their investments. Today, we will explore the characteristics, differences, advantages, and limitations of these two display technologies.
What is Mini-LED?
Mini-LEDs typically measure around 0.1 millimeters in length, with an industry-standard size range between 0.3mm to 0.1mm. Smaller dimensions mean smaller light points, higher dot density, and the ability to achieve smaller light control areas. Furthermore, these tiny Mini-LED chips can achieve very high brightness.
The so-called LED is much smaller than regular LEDs. This Mini LED can be used to create color displays. The smaller size gives them cost advantages and reliability, and Mini LEDs consume less energy.
What is Micro-LED?
Micro-LEDs are smaller than Mini-LEDs, typically defined as chips under 0.05mm.
Micro-LED chips are much thinner than OLED displays. Micro-LED displays can be made very thin. Micro-LEDs are usually made from gallium nitride, a material that has a longer lifespan and is less prone to wear. The microscopic characteristics of Micro-LEDs allow them to achieve very high pixel densities, producing clear images on the screen. With high brightness and high-quality display images, its various performances easily surpass OLED.
The Main Differences Between Mini LED and Micro LED
In the industry, there is ongoing comparison and debate regarding Mini-LED and Micro-LED. This comparison reflects the changes brought about by the evolution and advancement of technology, as well as how they attract end users.
Below, we will compare Mini-LED and Micro-LED in detail from a technical application perspective:
★ Brightness and Contrast Differences
Both LED technologies can achieve very high brightness levels.
Mini LED technology is typically used for LCD backlighting. When doing backlighting, it does not adjust single pixels, so its microscopic nature is limited by backlight requirements.
Micro-LEDs control each pixel individually, giving them an advantage in this regard.
★ Color Accuracy Differences
While Mini-LED technology allows for local dimming and excellent color accuracy, it cannot compare to Micro-LEDs.Micro-LEDs are single-pixel controlled, which helps reduce color loss and ensures accurate display effects, and the color output of pixels can be easily adjusted.
★ Thickness and Form Factor Differences
Mini-LED is a backlit LCD technology, so Micro-LEDs are thicker. However, compared to traditional LCD TVs, they have become much thinner.
Micro-LEDs emit light directly from LED chips, making them very thin.
★ Viewing Angle Differences
Micro-LEDs maintain consistent colors and brightness from any angle. This relies on the self-emitting property of Micro-LEDs, which maintains image quality even when viewed from large angles.
In contrast, Mini-LED technology still relies on traditional LCD technology. Despite significant improvements in image quality, it can still be difficult to view the screen from larger angles.
★ Aging Issues and Lifespan Differences
When images are displayed for extended periods, Mini-LED technology, which still uses LCD technology, is prone to burn-in issues. However, the burn-in problem has significantly eased in recent years.
Micro-LEDs are primarily made from inorganic materials using gallium nitride technology, making them less prone to burn-in risks.
★ Structural Differences
Mini-LED uses LCD technology, consisting of a backlight system and an LCD panel. Micro-LED is entirely self-emitting technology and does not require a backplane. The manufacturing cycle for Micro-LEDs is longer than for Mini-LEDs.
★ Pixel Control Differences
Micro-LEDs consist of tiny individual LED pixels that can be precisely controlled due to their small size, resulting in better image quality than Mini-LEDs. Micro-LEDs can turn lights on or off individually or completely as needed, achieving perfect blacks on the screen.
★ Application Flexibility Differences
Mini-LEDs use a backlight system, which limits their flexibility. Although thinner than most LCDs, Mini-LEDs still rely on backlighting, making their structure inflexible. On the other hand, Micro-LEDs have high flexibility because they do not have a backlight panel.
★ Manufacturing Complexity Differences
Manufacturing Mini-LEDs is simpler than Micro-LEDs. Because they are similar to traditional LED technology, their manufacturing processes are compatible with existing LED production lines. The entire process of manufacturing Micro-LEDs is demanding and time-consuming. The tiny size of Mini-LEDs makes them very difficult to operate. There are many more LEDs per unit area, and the processes required for operation take longer. Therefore, Mini-LEDs are currently exorbitantly priced.
★ Micro LED vs Mini LED: Cost Differences
Micro-LED screens are too expensive! They are still in the development stage. Although Micro-LED technology is exciting, it is still unaffordable for the average user. Mini-LEDs are more affordable, costing slightly more than OLED or LCD TVs, but their better display performance makes them acceptable to users.
★ Efficiency Differences
The small size of pixels in Micro-LED displays allows this technology to achieve higher display levels while maintaining sufficient power consumption. Micro-LEDs can turn off pixels, improving energy efficiency and achieving higher contrast.
In contrast, Mini-LEDs’ power efficiency is lower than that of Micro-LEDs.
★ Scalability Differences
The scalability mentioned here refers to the ease of adding more units. Mini-LEDs, due to their relatively large size, are relatively easier to manufacture. Adjustments and expansions can be made without many modifications to predefined manufacturing processes.
In contrast, Micro-LEDs are much smaller, making their manufacturing process much more difficult, time-consuming, and very expensive. This may still be due to the relatively new technology, which is not yet mature, and we hope that this situation can change in the future.
★ Response Time Differences
Mini-LEDs have good response times and smooth performance. Meanwhile, Micro-LEDs have faster response times and less motion blur than Mini-LEDs.
★ Lifespan and Reliability Differences
In terms of lifespan, Micro-LEDs are superior. Because Micro-LEDs have lower power consumption and a lower risk of burn-in. Additionally, their smaller size improves image quality and response speed.
★ Application Differences
These two technologies differ in their applications.Mini-LEDs are primarily used in large displays requiring backlighting, while Micro-LEDs are used in smaller displays. Mini-LEDs are typically used in monitors, large-screen TVs, and digital signage, while Micro-LEDs are used in wearable devices, mobile devices, and custom displays.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, there is no technological competition between Mini-LEDs and Micro-LEDs, so you do not need to choose between them; they target different audiences. Aside from some of their drawbacks, adopting these technologies will bring a new dawn to the display world.
Micro-LED technology is relatively new, and as its technology continues to evolve and improve, you will soon experience the high-quality picture effects and lightweight, convenient user experience of Micro-LEDs. It may turn your phone into a soft card, and your home TV could be just a piece of cloth or decorative glass.
Thank you for reading! This public account regularly publishes technical articles in the electronics manufacturing industry. We welcome you to follow this account!
