AU Optronics Demonstrates 12.1″ MicroLED Display with 1920×720 Pixels
AU Optronics has made a 12.1″ panel based on micro LEDs, with a resolution of 1920×720 pixels. The LEDs used are smaller than 30 micrometers. Each pixel consists of LEDs, which allows the screen to deliver a very high contrast.
AUO claims to be the first manufacturer to successfully create a high-resolution microLED screen. The 12.1″ screen that the company will show at the Touch Taiwan fair has a remarkably wide aspect ratio, although it is not known why. The screen is probably only intended to demonstrate the technology; AUO does not mention any applications or plans yet for production.
The manufacturer does not mention any further specifications. For example, it is not known what the maximum brightness is, or how many LEDs the screen has. In principle, with micro LED screens, three LEDs must be used for each pixel in order to display the primary colors. However, AUO refers to ‘advanced color conversion technology’, which could mean fewer LEDs and color filters for color interpolation.
Other manufacturers, such as Samsung, have already shown microLED screens. This usually concerns large screens; making microled screens small is a challenge. Samsung showed a 146-inch microLED TV early this year and said a consumer version will be released next year.
MicroLED has the same advantage as OLED: the pixels emit light themselves and can therefore be switched off completely. This results in a perfect black reproduction and therefore a high contrast. Using inorganic LEDs instead of organic LEDs also has advantages: the brightness is higher and there is less wear and tear. However, making microLED screens is expensive and time-consuming, because millions of minuscule LEDs have to be placed very precisely on a panel.
Due to the technical challenges and high costs, the arrival of microLED monitors seems a long way off. An intermediate step is the use of a traditional LCD with a mini LED backlight. The backlight consists of many small LEDs, which makes many dimmable zones possible. Earlier this week, AUO announced that it would show a 27″ and 32″ LCD panel with a mini LED backlight at the same fair.