manzana Las pantallas MicroLED se pueden utilizar en las llamadas gafas de realidad aumentada (AR), así como en las de próxima generación. Reloj Apple UltraSegún afirmó uno de los informantes en las redes sociales. Se rumorea desde hace mucho tiempo que el gigante tecnológico con sede en Cupertino está desarrollando pantallas microLED para usar en sus dispositivos. Si bien inicialmente se esperaba que la tecnología se utilizara en el Apple Watch Ultra, la medida fue cancelada y todo el equipo fue despedido debido a los altos costos de producción.
Pantallas micro LED de Apple
en un correo En X (anteriormente Twitter), el informante @Jukanlosreve sugirió que el uso de la tecnología microLED todavía estaba en los planes de Apple. Se espera que el fabricante del iPhone desarrolle gafas de realidad aumentada que utilicen estas pantallas, y su producción en masa podría comenzar en 2026.
Apple no ha renunciado a la tecnología Micro LED.
1. Están preparando Micro LED para gafas de realidad aumentada, que se espera que se produzcan en masa en 2026.
2. El plan para incluir Micro LED en el Apple Watch Ultra también continúa y su lanzamiento está previsto para 2026.
Mientras tanto, también se rumorea que el Apple Watch Ultra seguirá teniendo pantallas microLED. Según la fuente, Apple todavía planea incluir esta tecnología en su reloj inteligente insignia. Se dice que su objetivo es una ventana de lanzamiento de 2026 para este producto.
En marzo, Mark Gurman de Bloomberg sugerido Que Apple estaba recortando puestos de trabajo después de poner fin a su proyecto microLED de larga duración. En teoría, estas pantallas proporcionarán imágenes más vibrantes y brillantes que las pantallas actuales de Apple. En ese momento, se esperaba que Apple incluyera estas pantallas en una versión futura del Apple Watch, antes de introducirlas en la otra línea de productos.
Según Gorman, la complejidad de la tecnología, junto con los crecientes costos de su desarrollo, fueron algunas de las razones por las que se canceló el proyecto microLED.
Otros proyectos de Apple están en desarrollo
También se informa que Apple está desarrollando varios productos nuevos. este Incluye El HomePod está equipado con una pantalla táctil que puede funcionar con el chipset A18 y es compatible con las funciones de Apple Intelligence. Mientras tanto, también hay un dispositivo de mesa impulsado por IA y un brazo robótico. pronóstico Estar en el negocio.
También se dice que la compañía tiene planes de lanzar una versión más económica del Apple Vision Pro: sus auriculares de realidad mixta. Este dispositivo vendrá con funciones reducidas pero a un costo menor.
Televisores LED pequeños Estas pantallas son una ballena blanca para los mayores fabricantes de televisores. Esta tecnología de visualización tiene mucho potencial y promete emitir píxeles y un contraste infinito sin sacrificar los niveles de brillo y los negros profundos. Tampoco sufre la degradación del rendimiento asociada con tipos de pantallas orgánicas como Los mejores televisores OLED.
Gracias a la forma en que se fabrican los televisores micro-LED, con grupos de “LED de escala micrométrica” o “luces casi microscópicas” transferidas a módulos LED más grandes, se obtiene una increíble cantidad de control de brillo a nivel de píxeles, además de… Capacidad de reorganizar los LED en diferentes combinaciones modulares.
Sin embargo, la tecnología micro-LED se ha promocionado como la “próxima gran novedad” en los televisores desde 2018, cuando… Samsung Lanzó el primer televisor micro-LED, la paredlogrando pocos avances en la reducción de sus enormes costos de producción en los años siguientes.
Estamos viendo el lanzamiento de nuevos televisores micro-LED: en 2024, Samsung presentará modelos de 76, 89, 101 y 114 pulgadas. Sin embargo, incluso la versión más pequeña de 76 pulgadas se vende por 90.000 dólares, lo que es un precio bastante elevado cuando se trata de una adopción masiva. LG magnita Mientras tanto, los televisores micro-LED están dirigidos a “clientes de lujo”, según la empresa. presione soltarSe vende por 237.000 dólares y sólo está disponible en tamaños de 118 y 136 pulgadas.
El precio parece ser un obstáculo para una implementación más amplia de micro-LED. En junio de 2024, Noticias ET Los informes indicaron que Samsung informó a sus socios de fabricación que los costos de producción debían reducirse en un porcentaje. 90% Hacer que la tecnología micro-LED sea competitiva en el mercado de televisión actual. Parece que ambos LG Samsung, principal impulsor del desarrollo de la tecnología micro-LED, está trabajando para dejar de invertir en esta tecnología en la actualidad (vía Paneles planos de alta precisión).
Entonces, ¿por qué tanto alboroto por la tecnología micro-LED? Bueno, dejando de lado los costos, resuelve muchos de los problemas que afectan a las principales tecnologías de visualización de TV, o eso era cuando la inversión en el desarrollo de micro-LED todavía fluía. Para entender qué ha cambiado, debemos hablar de pantalla OLED.
Una solución a un problema perdido
(Crédito de la imagen: Sam Rutherford, Engadget)
OLED se ha convertido en una tecnología de televisión premium en la última década. Si bien las pantallas OLED siguen siendo más caras que las tradicionales pantallas LCD-LED, ahora puedes conseguir un excelente televisor OLED por menos de $1,000 y en una variedad de diferentes tamaños ($100). LG C4 OLED Rango de 42 a 83 pulgadas). Incluso precios medios Televisores OLED Suelen venir con excelentes especificaciones de pantalla y juego, desde resolución 4K Y velocidades de cuadro de 120 Hz Dolby Visión HDR.
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OLED ofrece un contraste infinito con negros verdaderamente profundos, gracias a su capacidad para apagar los píxeles por completo, así como una excelente reproducción del color. El principal problema que molestó a OLED fue su brillo históricamente bajo, lo que durante mucho tiempo lo hizo ideal para las noches de cine, pero promedio para verlo durante el día.
Sin embargo, las ganancias en el brillo OLED a lo largo de los años están trabajando para remediar este problema, tanto con las pantallas OLED tradicionales (el LG C4 de este año alcanzó un máximo de más de 1000 nits de brillo en nuestra revisión) como con los híbridos OLED-QLED como Samsung S95Dque alcanzó casi 1.900 lúmenes en nuestras pruebas. Preocupaciones sobre quemar También quedó bastante aplastado.
Esto hace que la promesa de micro-LED (los beneficios de las tecnologías de visualización emisiva, sin las desventajas de las pantallas orgánicas) sea algo menos segura, especialmente cuando un televisor micro-LED cuesta entre 10 y 20 veces más que un OLED de tamaño similar.
El futuro de los televisores micro-LED
(Crédito de la imagen: Al Mustaqbal)
Durante su presencia Salón de electrónica de consumo 2024 A principios de este año, TCL El representante nos dijo que los televisores micro-LED probablemente todavía estén a entre 5 y 10 años de ser comercialmente viables, y quién sabe cuánto tiempo pasará hasta que estos televisores sean realmente viables. A un precio razonable Para la mayoría de la gente. Dependiendo de cómo se utilice el OLED y LED mini Las tecnologías evolucionarán en los próximos años y, dependiendo de las decisiones de inversión de los mayores fabricantes de televisores, es posible que nunca lleguemos a ese punto.
Mientras un televisor micro-LED cueste lo mismo que una casa pequeña, seguirá siendo dominio exclusivo de multimillonarios, supervillanos o grupos de producción de Hollywood que utilizan tecnología micro-LED. Para reemplazar la pantalla verde En lugar de que el entusiasta promedio de la televisión busque un buen sistema de cine en casa, no seremos pacientes con pequeñas pantallas LED en lugar de adquirir una de las los mejores televisores Ya disponible hoy.
El mayor problema que enfrentan las pantallas Micro-LED en este momento es la intensa competencia, lo que parece un buen problema para la mayoría de los compradores de televisores.
¿Recuerdas cuando el micro-LED era el futuro de la televisión y está desapareciendo? Los mejores televisores OLED ¿En el polvo, con su brillo superior y negros igualmente buenos? Desafortunadamente, ese futuro parece estar todavía a unos años de distancia. Un nuevo informe dice que ambos LG Y Samsung Han comenzado a dar marcha atrás en sus inversiones en esta tecnología, porque su fabricación se ha vuelto más difícil de lo esperado.
Esta noticia es importante porque las dos empresas son sin duda los mayores defensores de la tecnología micro-LED. El primer televisor micro-LED de LG Y pared samsung Esta empresa nos ha dejado boquiabiertos durante seis años y, además de ser el mayor fabricante de televisores micro-LED en la actualidad, Samsung ha estado presentando ideas interesantes como Pequeñas pantallas LED transparentesque mostró en CES 2024. Pero años después de que vimos por primera vez esos hermosos píxeles, las pantallas micro-LED sufren los mismos problemas que tenían en aquel entonces: son demasiado grandes y demasiado caras.
¿Cuál es el problema con los televisores micro-LED?
Los fabricantes todavía creen que los micro-LED son el futuro. por ejemplo TCL CSOT, que fabrica los paneles utilizados en televisores no sólo de TCL sino también de otras empresas (incluida Samsung), Recientemente comenzó a vender televisores micro-LED en China.Hasta donde sabemos, no tiene planes de reducir las inversiones.
Pero según informes de la prensa financiera y empresarial coreana (trans Paneles planos de alta precisión), aunque tanto LG como Samsung tienen la intención de seguir invirtiendo en micro-LED, están reduciendo el monto de la inversión. Samsung ha pospuesto sus planes para aumentar la producción, mientras que LG ya ha reducido el tamaño de sus equipos de I+D de micro-LED y está considerando trasladar más desarrolladores de micro-LED a su sede. pantalla OLED un trabajo.
El problema es que la tecnología no se desarrolla muy rápidamente. Desde su anuncio, los precios han bajado mucho, pero todavía están en el rango de las seis cifras, en parte porque la tecnología todavía se limita a paneles enormes. La tecnología micro-LED aún no ha visto mejoras significativas en eficiencia y economías de escala que comiencen a hacer bajar los precios: el año pasado, los analistas de la industria Omdia predijeron que los precios de los paneles caerían alrededor del 75% para 2027, pero un año después no hay señales de que esta predicción se hará realidad.
Incluso si las predicciones de Omdia resultan correctas, no serán suficientes para satisfacer a empresas como Samsung: según una publicación especializada Noticias ETSamsung celebró una reunión con sus socios clave y les dijo que necesitaban reducir significativamente los costos de producción para que sus televisores micro-LED fueran competitivos. Y con “dramático” queremos decir “dramático”: Samsung ha afirmado que sus socios deben reducir costes en un 90%.
No hay duda de que la tecnología micro-LED es el siguiente paso en la tecnología de pantallas de TV. Pero es un paso que está tardando más de lo esperado, y los principales fabricantes nos han dicho que fácilmente podrían pasar de 5 a 10 años antes de que el micro-LED se considere comercial. Entonces, al menos durante los próximos años, no espere ver televisores micro-LED en nuestra lista. los mejores televisores -Aunque si tienes un muro realmente grande y un presupuesto mayor, igual podrías sentirte tentado.
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This week in the world of tech: Boston Dynamics unveiled a new robot, and while it terrified us, the barrage of negative Humane AI Pin reviews showed us that maybe the artificial intelligence uprising is perhaps further aware than we initially feared.
But maybe you’ve missed these or other major tech stories from this past week. No worries, because we’re here to help with a round-up of the eight biggest tech news stories from the last seven days.
There’s a lot to catch up on, so let’s get into it.
8. The Humane AI Pin came… and flopped
(Image credit: Humane)
Reviews for the first Humane AI pin came out this week, and they weren’t great – with the wearable being universally labeled as “unreliable.”
Marques Brownlee released a video on his YouTube channel calling the AI gadget “the worst product i’ve ever reviewed… for now,” Mrwhosetheboss said “It’s not good,” Bloomberg said “”The design and interface are fatally flawed,” and The Verge’s video interview featured frequent bouts of hysterical laughter because of how bad it found the Humane AI Pin to be.
There was also a very strange controversy on social media criticizing the critics – with much of the undeserved hate being directed at Brownlee, leading to him issuing a response – but the main thing was that while AI wearables do seem to be the future – with Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses getting Meta AI and the Nothing earbuds getting ChatGPT (more below) – the current tech isn’t where it needs to be right now.
7. Boston Dynamics terrified us with its new humanoid robot
(Image credit: Boston Dynamics)
Perhaps someday we’ll ask, “Where were you when you first saw “New Atlas?”
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Boston Dynamics all-new and all-electric Atlas update is a generational leap from the more than decade-old hydraulics-based Atlas. That robot, which is being retired was amazing in its own right, capable of doing numerous human-like tasks like walking, running, bending, and lifting, but also showing us how an apex human could perform through various acrobatics and parkour antics.
New Atlas, however, might be even stronger and it’s already showing us its uncanny flexibility in a brief introduction video. Expect to see it doing even more impressive physical tricks before the bot finally makes its way to factories and, maybe someday, our homes.
6. We saw Sony’s new mini-LED TV backlight tech put OLEDs on notice
(Image credit: Future)
Sony just launched its new 2024 TVs, and the Bravia 9 mini-LED leads the lineup. Positioning mini-LED as its flagship TV tech is an extreme about-face for the company, which had previously reserved that status for OLED.
We saw the new Bravia 9 TV in action at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, and there’s good reason for Sony’s newfound mini-LED enthusiasm. The company has developed a new XR Backlight Master Drive backlight design that uses a 22-bit LED driver to deliver 50% higher brightness and 320% more local dimming zones than its previous X95L mini-LED model.
This new backlight helps enhance contrast and color brightness while reducing blooming, closing the picture quality gap between mini-LED and OLED. It’s also better able to capture the full range of highlight detail in movies with high dynamic range – an important factor as movies increasingly get mastered at higher brightness levels.
5. Samsung confirmed its AI is coming to your Galaxy 21 phone
Per a post on Samsung’s Korean community forum the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be getting the company’s AI-packed One UI 6.1 update in “early May,” and when it does it’ll bring Circle to Search and Magic Rewrite to these devices.
It’s always great news to hear older handsets will be getting some of the technical bells and whistles of the newer smartphone releases, though if you’re rocking a Samsung handset from 2020 it looks unlikely you’ll get any of these AI tools – so we’d suggest checking out our Samsung phones deals page if you’re thinking of upgrading to a new phone that can access Galaxy AI.
4. New Nothing Ear buds launched with ChatGPT
(Image credit: Nothing)
Nothing’s naming strategy is anything but self-explanatory, so to avoid supplementary confusion: Nothing launched two new sets of true wireless earbuds on Thursday, April 18. A model called just Ear are the company’s new flagship offering – these have arrived after the Ear (1), Ear (Stick) and Ear (2), that’s just how it is – while the also-new Ear (a) are the cheaper pair. And it’s this entry-level model that just gained a highly coveted TechRadar five-star recommendation, which you can read about to your heart’s content in our full-fat Nothing Ear (a) review.
But the fact that there are two new sets of Nothing earbuds is only part of the news here, because in addition to releasing two new earbuds models, Carl Pei’s startup has also fixed it so that your Nothing earbuds and phones can let you talk to ChatGPT for instant AI support.
Nothing says that once you’ve downloaded the ChatGPT app on your Nothing Phone (running the latest Nothing OS), you’ll be able to pinch-to-speak using the earbuds’ stems and thus summon the chatbot for answers, without having to dig out your device. And have to admit, that’s really something, Nothing…
(Image credit: Meta)
Meta’s AI got a new and improved website, as well as some upgrade thanks to it’s new “state-of-the-art Llama 3 AI model” according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg – and the best thing of all is it’s completely free to use.
The site lets you generate text and images with a written prompt – though to make AI images you’ll need to log in and your picture will feature a watermark which should help a little in cutting down misuse.
It’s still early days in the battle between AI creators, but Google and OpenAI had better watch out because Meta’s new and improved software is already looking like a major competitor to what’s currently out there – and it will only get better.
2. The iPhone got its first Nintendo emulators and alternative app stores
(Image credit: AltStore)
Following some gentle arm-twisting from the EU, Apple recently said its App Store would soon allow retro game emulators like the ones you can find on Android. This week, we saw the first one arrive with Delta – a free app that you can download now from the App Store in the EU and many countries outside of it.
Unlike rival emulators like iGBA, which quickly disappeared from the App Store due to copyright violations, this one is likely here to stay. Delta supports several consoles including the NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, and you can play games with iPhone-compatible controllers, too. All you need to do is provide the ROM files (as long they’re copyright-free, of course) and you’re good to go. Now all we need is a PS1 emulator…
1. The Insta360 X4 became our new favorite 360 camera
(Image credit: Insta360)
Our extensive Insta360 X4 hands-on review waxed lyrical about the 8K video-equipped 360-degree camera. With higher resolution video than the X3, much better battery life and welcome design tweaks, the X4 is the best 360-degree camera yet.
Full waterproofing and a decent single-camera mode make the X4 a compelling action camera, vlogging tool, and even a dash cam especially for motorcyclists who can voice command the X4 from a Bluetooth compatible headset from within a helmet. GoPro has a tough act to follow with its upcoming Max 2, as does Canon with its intriguing 360 / 180 3D Powershot concept. It’s been really quiet in this category of cameras the last couple of years, but that seems set to change in 2024.
Apple has ended a project to develop microLED displays in-house, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman in a reversal of his prior reporting on the development of the technology. Apple invested billions in developing microLED displays, with plans to first add microLED to the Apple Watch Ultra.
MicroLED was too expensive and too complex for Apple to design, so Apple is now reorganizing its display engineering teams and laying off employees in the U.S. and Asia. Some of the displaced employees may be able to find other roles in the company, and others will be provided with severance.
Rumors that Apple had canceled plans for an Apple Watch with microLED first surfaced in February when supplier ams OSRAM said that a “cornerstone project” related to microLED had been canceled. Soon after, there were rumors that Apple had ended its relationship with Kulicke & Soffa, another company in the advanced display market.
Both analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Display Supply Chain Consultants confirmed that Apple had canceled work on a microLED Apple Watch after these rumors, but Gurman claimed that Apple was still working on the device. In a now-deleted tweet, Gurman said that ams OSRAM was “one supplier” on the project, and that there were several other suppliers Apple was working with. “I doubt it was canceled,” he wrote.
DigiTimes and ETNewsalso suggested that ams OSRAM was replaced due to a performance drop and that Apple had another supplier lined up, but it appears that information was incorrect.
MicroLED technology uses microscopic LEDs for individual pixels. It’s more energy efficient than traditional LED, offers improved contrast, and has faster response times. Colors are brighter and better, and there’s no risk of burn-in as there is with OLED. Apple is said to have abandoned the project because it was not economically viable.
Gurman claims that Apple will stick with OLED display technology for the Apple Watch “for now,” but that the company is “eyeing microLED for other projects down the road.” Apple is “identifying” potential new suppliers and processes for microLED, but it “won’t likely happen anytime soon.”
Apple’s iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple’s 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip…
The next-generation iPad Air is now reportedly shipping to the United States and other countries in preparation for launch. The rumor comes from the leaker known as “Instant Digital,” who claims that manufacturers in China are now shipping the 2024 iPad Air in two sizes to overseas locations. “Everything is ready” for launch, the Weibo user says. The sixth-generation iPad Air is rumored…
Apple’s new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until “deeper” into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I’ve repeatedly said that new…
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. …
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23″>claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an…
Apple today released iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1, minor updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems. The new software comes a couple of weeks after Apple released iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 with app changes in the European Union, new emoji, and more. iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software…
Since Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma 14.4 on March 7, the transition to the latest software update has not been entirely smooth for everyone, and a number of issues have been reported by users that significantly impact their daily workflow. This article lists the most prominent challenges users have faced since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4, and offers potential solutions where available. USB…
Apple plans to maximize the display size on the upcoming iPhone 16 series by using a new ultra-thin bezel technology, claims a new report out of Korea. According to Sisa Journal, Apple will use Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology to minimize the bezel at the bottom of the display. BRS achieves this by rolling up the internal copper wiring into a more compact package. Apple…
Apple’s next-generation iPad Pro models will be offered with a matte display option for the first time, according to the Weibo leaker known as “Instant Digital.” The Weibo user explained that the iPad Pro’s new matte display option will be offered in addition to the standard, glossy glass finish. It apparently features -4° to +29° of haze and may tout some kind of blue-light blocking…
The rumored microLED Apple Watch Ultra project may have lost another key supplier, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young.
In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, manufacturing equipment company Kulicke & Soffa said that one of its “strategic customers” has canceled a project related to the “advanced display” market:
Previously referred to as Project W, the Company has been engaged with one of its strategic customers (the “Customer”) to support the Customer with the development and future mass production of certain technologies relating to advanced display (the “Project”). In connection with the Customer’s strategic review of its business, the Customer has informed the Company that it has cancelled the Project.
In a social media post on Monday, Young suggested that “Project W” was potentially related to the microLED Apple Watch. The company said it expects to incur charges of up to $130 million as a result of ceasing operations related to the project.
Kulicke & Soffa’s website advertises a “next generation LED die transfer” system for microLED and miniLED displays with “an unprecedented transfer rate at high precision.”
Earlier this month, Apple supplier AMS-Osram similarly announced it would “re-assess its microLED strategy” after a “cornerstone project” was “unexpectedly cancelled.” Young believes that project also related to the microLED Apple Watch, so there are now at least two major suppliers that have indicated they are no longer involved.
While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are still around six months away from launching, there are already many rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped new features and changes expected so far. These are some of the key changes rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models as of March 2024:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch…
Apple appears to be internally testing iOS 17.4.1 for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software update in our website’s logs this week. Our logs have revealed the existence of several iOS 17 versions before Apple released them, ranging from iOS 17.0.3 to iOS 17.3.1. iOS 17.4.1 should be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear when…
Earlier this week, Apple announced new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, the first Mac updates of the year featuring M3 series chips. But there are other Macs in Apple’s lineup still to be updated to the latest M3 processors. So, where do the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro fit into Apple’s M3 roadmap for the year ahead? Here’s what the latest rumors say. Mac Mini Apple announced …
iOS 17.4 was released last week following over a month of beta testing, and the update includes many new features and changes for the iPhone. iOS 17.4 introduces major changes to the App Store, Safari, and Apple Pay in the EU, in response to the Digital Markets Act. Other new features include Apple Podcasts transcripts, an iMessage security upgrade, new emoji options, and more. Below, we…
Best Buy this weekend has a big sale on Apple MacBooks and iPads, including some of the first notable M2 iPad Pro discounts in months, alongside the best prices we’ve ever seen on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, and more. Some of these deals require a My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total membership, which start at $49.99/year. In addition to exclusive access to select discounts, you’ll get…
If you are purchasing a new TV or monitor, you’re immediately greeted by a wealth of specifications and models, each one boasting brighter colors and sharper images than the last. It’s a battle of display technologies: LED vs OLED vs MicroLED all vying for your attention. But what sets them apart, and how do they affect your viewing experience? This is a question that many consumers and tech enthusiasts are asking as they seek to understand the nuances of modern display tech.
For years, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens have been the cornerstone of high-quality displays. They work by directing light from a backlight through liquid crystals to create the images you see. Early versions of LCDs struggled with light efficiency and displaying true black colors. However, advancements such as mini LED backlights and Quantum dots have significantly improved their color accuracy and ability to produce deeper blacks. Despite the emergence of new technologies, LCDs remain prevalent in the market, especially for TVs and monitors, due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of production.
LED vs OLED vs MicroLED
Learn the differences between the three different display technologies thanks to a great overview and comparison by the team at TechAltar.
Here are some other articles you may find of interest on the subject of monitors :
Then there’s OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes), a technology that marks a substantial advancement over LCDs. OLED screens use organic compounds that light up when electricity is applied, allowing for thinner, more flexible displays. Each pixel in an OLED display is self-illuminating, which means it can achieve perfect black levels and has incredibly fast response times. OLED technology has branched into AMOLED for handheld devices and WOLED for larger screens.
However, OLEDs are not without their issues; they can suffer from screen burn-in and have limitations on peak brightness. The industry is addressing these challenges with innovations like MLA (Microlens Array) to boost brightness and QD OLEDs for enhanced color quality. Efforts are also underway to develop solutions for burn-in, such as tandem OLED structures and advanced materials for blue subpixels.
The newest contender in the display arena is MicroLED. This technology uses minuscule LEDs to create the subpixels in a display, eliminating the need for organic materials. MicroLED combines the best aspects of OLED’s per-pixel lighting with the burn-in resistance of LCDs, and it aims to achieve outstanding brightness levels. However, MicroLED is currently wrestling with high production costs, complex manufacturing processes, and pixel alignment issues. Despite these hurdles, the coming years may bring innovative production techniques that could position MicroLED as a major player in the display industry.
A summary of the differences between LED vs OLED vs MicroLED
Technology Basics:
LED (Light-Emitting Diode): These displays use an array of LEDs as a backlight to illuminate a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. They don’t emit light themselves; instead, they modulate light from the backlight.
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode): Each pixel in OLED displays is made of organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied. These displays do not require a backlight, allowing them to be thinner and more flexible.
MicroLED: Similar to OLED, MicroLEDs are tiny LEDs, but they are non-organic, reducing the risk of burn-in. Each pixel emits its own light, offering excellent contrast and deep blacks.
Image Quality:
LED: Offers good color accuracy and brightness but may suffer from uneven backlighting (called backlight bleed). The contrast ratio is typically lower compared to OLED or MicroLED.
OLED: Known for its superior contrast and true blacks, since individual pixels can be completely turned off. It also offers excellent viewing angles and vibrant colors.
MicroLED: Offers a similar level of contrast and black levels to OLED, with potentially higher peak brightness, making it suitable for well-lit environments.
Lifespan and Reliability:
LED: Generally has a longer lifespan as it does not suffer from burn-in issues. The backlight’s life determines the overall longevity of the display.
OLED: The organic compounds in OLED can degrade over time, leading to shorter lifespans compared to LEDs. They are also susceptible to burn-in with static images.
MicroLED: Expected to have a longer lifespan than OLED because it does not rely on organic material. The inorganic nature of MicroLEDs makes them less prone to burn-in.
Energy Efficiency:
LED: More energy-efficient than traditional LCDs due to LED backlighting but less efficient than OLED or MicroLED.
OLED: Highly energy efficient as pixels emit light individually and can be turned off completely for true black, saving energy.
MicroLED: Similar to OLED in terms of efficiency, with potential for even greater efficiency due to the inorganic material.
Cost and Market Availability:
LED: Widely available and generally the most affordable option among the three. Used extensively in consumer electronics.
OLED: More expensive to produce than LED displays, making them pricier for consumers. Commonly found in high-end smartphones and TVs.
MicroLED: Currently the most expensive and least available. Production challenges and high costs limit their presence mainly to high-end, large-scale displays.
Flexibility and Form Factor:
LED: Limited flexibility due to the rigid backlight layer. Generally, these are found in traditional, flat-screen formats.
OLED: The organic materials are more flexible, allowing for curved and even foldable displays.
MicroLED: Potentially flexible, but the current focus is on rigid, flat panels. The technology could allow for modular screens of varying sizes.
Applications:
LED: Ideal for general-purpose use, including TVs, monitors, and digital signage where cost is a significant factor.
OLED: Preferred in high-end consumer electronics where image quality and contrast are priorities, such as smartphones and premium TVs.
MicroLED: Suited for luxury home theaters, commercial displays, and applications where cost is less of a concern and top-tier performance is desired.
When comparing these technologies, it’s clear that the journey toward display perfection is a collective endeavor. The goal is to create screens that are more luminous, more vibrant, and more durable, with precise control over the light output of each pixel. The industry is pushing the boundaries to refine production methods, reduce costs, and perhaps introduce new technologies that could surpass the current frontrunners. Whether you’re an avid gamer, a movie enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys a crisp, clear picture, the ongoing advancements in display technology are poised to elevate your visual experience right in your living room.
As the evolution of LED, OLED, and MicroLED technologies progresses, they promise a future filled with exceptional visual quality that will redefine how we engage with media. These developments are not just about improving what we already have; they’re about setting new benchmarks for what is possible in display technology. Keep a close watch on these innovations—they’re bound to set new standards for what we expect from our screens.
Image Credit: TechAltar
Filed Under: Displays News, Top News
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