MicroLED TVs: Are ‘OLED Killers’ Too Big, Too Pricey?

Already dubbed as the ‘OLED killer,’ microLED TVs are destined to be huge in more ways than one. So, what’s the catch? Although microLED panels combine the best aspects of LCD and OLED TVs to deliver something spectacular, the prices remain beyond the average consumer’s reach.

Earlier this year, Samsung unveiled a new 114-inch microLED TV costing a whopping $130,000, but with a free $8,000 8K TV to sweeten the deal. However, the South Korean tech giant dedicated an entire section to microLED TVs on the show floor of IFA in Berlin, which suggests they are going nowhere.

Six years have passed since Samsung famously revealed the first modular microLED 146-inch TV called ‘The Wall‘ at CES in Vegas. Is an affordable 65″ microLED on the horizon?

Will microLED TVs ever become more affordable and finally live up to their promise of being the next big thing? Let’s see what we know so far.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. What Are MicroLED TVs & How Do They Work?
3. MicroLED TV Frontrunners: Samsung & LG Strategies
4. MicroLED vs. OLED vs. MiniLED
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. What Are MicroLED TVs & How Do They Work?
3. MicroLED TV Frontrunners: Samsung & LG Strategies
Show Full Guide
4. MicroLED vs. OLED vs. MiniLED
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

What Are MicroLED TVs & How Do They Work?

MicroLED could compete with current high-end OLED displays. Think of microLED as the greatest version of all the best LCD and OLED TVs on the market.

Simply put, it takes all the best features of existing technologies while removing the biggest drawbacks to create something bigger and better.

Key Features of MicroLED TVs

Picture Quality & Colors

Micro LED technology is different from what we see in current TVs in the market because each tiny light in the microLED display can shine independently without needing a separate light source behind it.

This allows each light to be controlled individually—whether turning it on or off or changing its color independently of the lights around it. As a result, the colors on the screen are more precise, and the contrast is nearly perfect. Best of all, the TVs are brighter, more energy-efficient, and last longer.

The result is vastly superior picture quality with vivid colors and brightness that together deliver the wow factor.

On the downside, microLED TVs are ludicrously expensive and limited to ridiculously large sizes.

Shape, Sizes & Price

One of the biggest drawbacks for consumers is that microLED TVs are only available in larger sizes, from 89 inches to 114 inches, and come with a six-figure price tag. The race is officially on to create a more affordable 65″ microLED TV, widely considered the sweet spot for consumers.

While microLED technology shows great promise for the future of TVs, there are only some widely available consumer microLED TVs for under $90,000.

But if money were no object, the best microLED TV is the jaw-dropping Samsung 140.

Although microLED monitors are far from being commercially viable, Samsung recently launched its microLED TV lineup in China.

However, with the lowest cost, the 76-inch model was priced at $90,000, meaning OLED will remain the premium TV for the next few years.

Modular Design

MicroLED’s modular design offers greater customization and flexibility through small, interlocking tiles or panels that can be combined to form screens of any size or shape. This allows manufacturers to design innovative displays with non-standard aspect ratios.

It also improves repairability because if a single tile fails, it can be replaced without disturbing the rest of the screen.

This dynamic adaptability is one of the many features that make microLED different from traditional rigid display technologies.

Envie d’un écran plus grand ? Plus petit ? Pas de problème avec la technologie de dalles Samsung microLED qui permettront bientôt de faire son écran sur mesure #CES2020 pic.twitter.com/uTB2rBjuDt

— Jerome Colombain | Monde Numérique (@JeromeColombain) January 6, 2020

MicroLED TV Frontrunners: Samsung & LG Strategies

Samsung MicroLED TVs Beyond The Wall

Samsung transparent microLED TVs like “The Wall” continue to wow audiences on the floors of tech trade shows.

➡️11. Samsung Transparent Micro-LED TV
➡️A transparent Micro-LED screen that lets you view information while still seeing your surroundings. pic.twitter.com/13mr30oo5d

— Bishal Nandi (@LearnWithBishal) September 4, 2024

Samsung’s strategy usually begins with luxury and commercial markets and then scales down to bring smaller and more consumer-friendly models to market.

The South Korean tech giant is also bringing smart features and AI into its microLED lineup.

LG’s MicroLED TV Strategy

LG is taking a dual approach by continuing to develop microLED technology while also maintaining a strong focus on its OLED offerings. Although LG is less aggressive than Samsung, LG’s expertise in display manufacturing could give it an advantage in the long run as the technology matures.

MicroLED vs. OLED vs. MiniLED

Here’s a comparison of these three advanced display technologies to help you determine which one best fits your viewing experience.

MicroLED vs. OLED: Which Is Better?

MicroLED TVs use tiny individual LEDs that emit light, meaning each pixel can turn off completely, resulting in perfect blacks and an infinite contrast ratio. But, one of the biggest selling points is a long lifespan of over 100,000 hours without the risk of burn-in.

MicroLED TVs Pros & Cons

OLED TVs also have self-emissive pixels and are renowned for excellent contrast and color accuracy. However, they can suffer from burn-in over time, which is a drawback compared to the more durable microLED.

OLED TVs Pros & Cons

MiniLED vs. MicroLED: Which Is Better?

MiniLED uses tiny LEDs to backlight traditional LCD panels, which improves brightness and contrast when compared to older screens. MiniLED is also more affordable and easier to produce, making it widely available in TVs and monitors.

MiniLED Pros & Cons

MicroLED is widely considered the future of display technology. However, the inconvenient truth is that MiniLED provides a more practical and cost-effective solution for consumers who want better picture quality without breaking the bank.

As microLED technology improves and becomes more affordable, it will likely become the leading choice in the market. But realistically, this could be 3-5 years away.

The Bottom Line

MicroLEDs are stunning TVs that certainly deliver the wow factor when staring at a 114-inch display on the show floor of a busy tech conference. But our homes require something smaller and more affordable, and here lies the Achilles heel of the microLED TV.

By combining the best of OLED and LCD TVs and eliminating the problems associated with both, manufacturers successfully created the best-looking large-screen TV. But in doing so, they forgot the basics. Most consumers want an affordable 55-65-inch TV that looks great.

MicroLED might eventually dethrone OLED TVs as the best high-end television sets that money can buy.

But we are a few years away from learning if it can live up to its big promises and deliver smaller, more affordable screens.

FAQs