What is Micro LED and how does it work?

LED (light emitting diode) TVs are here for the foreseeable, it’s simply the best and most cost-effective technology on the market. LEDs are relatively energy efficient, offer great picture and colour quality and are becoming more and more affordable, even in larger sizes.

It’s now even possible to find the best 65-inch TV under £1000 without having to resort to sales. All the information you need can be found here: https://www.whatsthebest.co.uk/tech/televisions/best-65-inch-tv-under-1000/

About LED

Up until now there have been two LED options; OLED and QLED. QLED offers the best colour depth while OLED has a quicker refresh rate. Now there’s a third option to set the TV world alight – Micro LEDs.

So, before you go off searching for a new TV, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with Micro LED and what it means for the future of TVs.

What is Micro LED?

First developed in 2000 by a group of scientists, Micro LED technology sees the LEDs work as individual pixels to build up the picture on a screen. TVs that aren’t OLED use LEDs to backlight an LCD (liquid crystal display) which is why the idea of using individual LEDs for the screen sounds so interesting.

These Micro LEDs will provide a crystal-clear display for TVs, as there will be better colour selection, brightness, and contrast. Micro LEDs will also allow for thinner TVs as there will be no need for a backlight.

What are the benefits?

The picture quality will be simply unmatched. These pure Micro LEDs will be able of outstanding visual contrast, creating images that are truly stunning. For the first time, true black will be achievable, adding great drama.

The best comparison will be to OLED etch as both OLED and Micro LED do not require a backlight, they’re self-emitting. Therefore OLED TVs are renowned for a quick refresh rate and being energy saving. Micro LEDs have the potential to be even more efficient, and even brighter. It won’t degrade over time like an OLED Tv either, thanks to the lack or organic components.

These Micro LEDs will also be pretty defended against dreaded screen burn, where the pixels become scorched after displaying the same image for too long.

What are the drawbacks?

The fact they don’t exist in any commercial form is a pretty major issue. There are a couple of examples currently in use in cinemas but there’s nothing on the domestic market currently.

Samsung, the company which seems to be making the most headway with domestic Micro LED TVs, has previously announced a delay in Micro LED TVs. It’s clear that this technology won’t be commonly available for a good few years yet.

There’s also an issue with size, most companies aiming to get these products live in the next few years are looking at sizes that make even a 50-inch TV look small. Samsung is offering 88, 99 and 110-inch Micro LED TVs, a bit big for most homes.

It goes almost without mentioning but the price of these TVs when they first hit the armlet will be utterly insane. Expect the smallest options to still cost many thousands of pounds.