Samsung expands Micro LED chip supplier

YOFC March 12th, Samsung Electronics has added Epistar Taiwan's Taiwan as a supplier of MicroLED chips, which will be used in its MicroLED TV series. By expanding the MicroLED supply chain, the world's largest TV maker may be preparing to roll out a MicroLED TV to consumers this January at CES.

Samsung emphasized that its MicroLED is a module-based display with no bezel, size, aspect ratio or resolution restrictions. Samsung Electronics ’MicroLED display manufacturing technology focuses on massive transfer and repair technologies, which is a major challenge for the commercialization of MicroLED. Samsung is also considering using laser transfer technology to improve the transfer process.

As a self-luminous display technology, MicroLED has a series of advantages compared to the current TV technology, including the high brightness and wide color gamut coverage of QLED, and the deep black and vivid contrast of OLED, and there is no burn-in risk. In addition, low power consumption and modular design are special advantages of MicroLED.

However, the manufacturing of MicroLED TV is very difficult and expensive, and its price will far exceed the range of ordinary consumers, which is also an important reason preventing it from becoming a mainstream display technology. However, with the diversification of the parts supply chain, the cost will gradually decrease with the increase of production capacity and the improvement of technological level. Epistar's addition will provide a huge boost to Samsung's 75, 88, 93, and 110-inch MicroLED TV product lines.

Samsung ’s development of MicroLED technology is likely to stimulate display manufacturers. Most display companies are currently using MiniLED technology around 100μm, focusing on products over 120 inches. In the TV market where LCD and OLED account for a large proportion, MicroLED products are unlikely to grow in the short term. However, the industry expects that as Samsung actively promotes MicroLED products, more companies will try to develop related technologies.

Prior to this, Samsung ’s MicroLED suppliers have been Taiwan ’s PlayNitride and China ’s Sanan Optoelectronics.