Mini LED Market

MiniLED is a display technology uses thousands of small-sized LEDs for backlighting. This technology offers several advantages over conventional LEDs such as precise control over dimming areas, leading to improved contrast, brighter images, and superior picture quality compared to conventional LED-backlit screens. MiniLED displays are extensively used in televisions, automotive displays, monitors, notebooks, tablets, and HMDs. Furthermore, miniLED display offers other advantages over other display technologies such as reduced risk of burn-in, which makes miniLED displays more durable.

MARKET DYNAMICS

DRIVERS:

• Increasing demand for high performance displays
• Increasing demand for automotive displays 
• Growing demand from gaming industry
• Competitive pricing of miniLED display panels
• Growing emphasis on energy-efficient technologies

RESTRAINTS:

• Size and weight constraints
• Presence of many alternative display technologies
• Increasing demand for widescreen alternatives such as projectors, and screenless displays.

OPPORTUNITIES:

• Constant technological advancements in the display ecosystem
• Growing demand for interactive displays
• Increasing demand for LED-based displays for various applications 
• Growing adoption of AR and VR HMDs 

CHALLENGES:

• Manufacturing complexities
• Lack of flexibility of miniLEDs
• Emergence of new display technologies 

Driver: Increasing demand for automotive displays

 The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with the focus shifting towards advanced technologies and features that enhance safety, comfort, and convenience for drivers and passengers. As a result, the demand for automotive displays is increasing rapidly, as these displays play a crucial role in providing real-time information to drivers and passengers, enabling them to interact with the vehicle's systems and features, and improving the overall driving experience. The increasing adoption of displays in the automotive sector is likely to continue, as car manufacturers continue to invest in advanced technologies to improve user safety and experience. The rising demand for automotive displays is expected create growth opportunities for market players offering miniLED displays as miniLED displays are highly suitable for automotive applications due to their superior durability and ability to provide precise dimming control.

Restraint: Increasing demand for widescreen alternatives such as projectors, and screenless displays.

Projection technology has undergone significant advancements over an extended period, and its utilization has surged over the past decade. It is now widely used in corporate presentations, academic settings, and various other applications. The adoption of interactive projectors in the education sector has been increasing, and their lower cost in comparison to interactive whiteboards is a key driver of the growth of the projector market. Conversely, the use of projectors in the retail, corporate, and education sectors hinders the growth of the display market, as projectors are a more economical option when compared to display-based products. Screenless display is an evolving technology in the realm of computer-enhanced technologies, including holographic displays, virtual reality goggles, and head-up displays. The development of screenless display technology has been aimed at addressing the challenges associated with the miniaturization of modern communication devices. Unlike conventional displays, screenless displays have no screen and can transmit various forms of data, such as images and videos, without the need for screens. Screenless displays come in various types, including visual image displays that are visible to the naked eye, retinal displays that project images directly onto the retina, and synaptic reference displays that send information directly to the human brain. The current screenless displays are capable of presenting high-resolution 3D images, distant point images, and scenes with excellent glow, contrast, and large angles. The increasing use of screenless products is expected to reduce the demand for conventional displays in the coming years.

Opportunity: Increasing demand for LED-based displays for various applications

LED technology refers to the use of light emitting diodes to create lighting solutions, displays, and other applications. LED technology is used in wide range of applications such as smartphones, TVs, video walls, digital signage and more. LED displays have become one of the most prevalent display technologies used across various applications and hold a significant share of the market compared to other technologies. While the LED display industry has matured in recent years, there has been a lack of innovation. However, one recent breakthrough has been the miniaturization of the components required to build an LED screen. This development has enabled LED screens to become incredibly thin and expand to enormous sizes, making them suitable for use on any surface, both indoors and outdoors. Technological advancements, such as improved resolution, increased brightness capabilities, product versatility, and the emergence of durable surface LEDs, miniLEDs and microLEDs have significantly contributed to the market growth of LED-based displays. The demand for large format displays, particularly LED displays, has increased due to the need for improved customer service and collaboration efficiency in various sectors, including retail, workspace, and education. This increasing demand can also be attributed to the continuous introduction of new technologies and solutions. MiniLED displays are gaining popularity because of their ability to deliver seamless images and optimal characteristics, making them one of the most advanced type of large format display. In the business world, miniLED displays are becoming essential as dynamic backdrops in conference halls, adding value to conference speeches and presentations with visual aids like pictures, illustrations, charts, and videos.

Challenge: Lack of flexibility of miniLEDs

In recent years, foldable displays have gained popularity in tablets, smartphones, and notebooks. These flexible display panels are made using flexible substrates such as plastic, metal, or flexible glass. Plastic and metal panels are lightweight, thin, and sturdy, making them virtually unbreakable. However, miniLEDs are not suitable for foldable displays as they typically involve the use of inorganic LEDs arranged in a backlighting array behind an LCD panel or other display technology. Furthermore, miniLED displays typically consist of a large number of small LEDs arranged in specific patterns. The complexity of arranging these numerous LEDs in a flexible format without compromising performance or reliability poses significant manufacturing challenges.