Over the next few months you will hear names like micro LEDs and mini LEDs, two screen technologies that arrive with the intention of offering higher quality. That's why it's important to know your advantages and disadvantages compared to proposals such as current LED and OLED screens. So that you can choose well and appreciate why the devices that make use of these solutions will cost more.
Mini LED and micro LED: display technologies of the future
Understand the differences between OLED and LED It has not been easy for some users, although luckily we can now say that the vast majority are clear about what screen technologies offer and even which one would be more convenient depending on the intended use.
However, as advances in technology do not stop, now two new solutions are coming to the market that can complicate the choice again. In particular, buying a high-end television may be a bit more complicated even if you have to decide between models LED, micro LED, mini LED or OLED.
So we are going to give you the keys to each of them and also an easy explanation of what they consist of. So that if you consider buying a new TV this 2021 you have it easier. Or as we said, so that you know why a possible new laptop or tablet would see an increase in price.
Mini LEDs
screen technology Mini LEDs it is basically the same as that up to now offered by LED technology. The big difference is in the backlight system used. As its own name indicates, it is now use an array of smaller leds with which the number of lighting zones increases, thus improving its control.
Therefore, knowing that there are already television models that can reach up to 30.000 leds (such as LG's new QNED range), what is obtained is a direct improvement both in the maximum brightness level and also in contrast and ability to display much deeper blacks, thus approaching the quality of OLED where each pixel manages its own level of brightness.
Without a doubt, Mini LED screens will be the most popular, because despite the price increase they will suffer, it will not be as pronounced as with Micro LED.
Advantages
- Higher level of brightness, saturation, contrasts and depth of blacks
- More precise control of different lighting zones
Disadvantages
- Due to the rear lighting system, the thickness of these screens will be affected, although for a lot it will not be a great harm
micro LED
Technology micro LED For its part, although it also shares the base of traditional LED technology, it is very much closer to what OLED offers thanks to the fact that each of the pixels that make up the panel have the ability to self-manage the level of brightness they produce.
This very precise control for each of the pixels allows us to offer a performance very similar to OLED, where pixels made of an organic material are capable of generating the light they need to be seen. Therefore, at the level of saturation, contrast and quality of blacks they would be practically on par.
Another advantage of this technology is that it allows you to create screens by easily combining different panels or modules. In this way, large screens can be built for uses that go far beyond the reproduction of content at home. For example, for film applications, series productions and even advertising.
Of course, this advantage also translates into a disadvantage because at the moment it is only feasible to manufacture large diagonal screens if you do not want to sacrifice resolution. Without forgetting that it is currently the most expensive technology. That's why a 77-inch micro LED TV can cost so much money compared to its LED or OLED namesake.
Advantages
- OLED color, contrast and saturation accuracy
- Higher brightness level, ideal for HDR content
Disadvantages
- Valid only for large-inch screens
- Price
OLED vs. LED vs. Mini LED vs. Micro LED
As you may have already deduced if you have some experience with the different imaging technologies, each and every one of them will continue to have their applications and audiences. At the quality level, it is true that OLED and Micro LED are on a higher step, but their price is also higher. In one because of the cost and in another because of the difficulty of manufacturing.
For their part, LED and mini LED will be much more accessible and the advantages of the latter will make the improvement in image quality that it offers more than enough for a large majority. That is why its popularity will grow faster and when it comes to betting on a product that is interesting in terms of quality and price, the majority will opt for it.
Manufacturers that already bet on these technologies
Both Mini LED and Micro LED are already two real technologies. The only problem is that, as was the case when OLED TVs were introduced back in the day, it is very expensive to manufacture and that implies products with a high price.
However, Samsung already bets on Micro LED technology. So if you have enough space and money (130.000 euros), you can get a 110 inch tv which is a real delight. But for the majority of mortals, until the end of the year there may not be any proposal that is really attractive.
If you are looking for the highest possible image quality and aspects such as the maximum brightness level or the possible useful life do not worry you as much (because you are not going to have it on 24 hours a day, seven days a week), it is clear that OLED will continue to be the great option . For the rest, bet on LED panels that continue to offer great experiences and see how the new proposals that use mini LED technology settle.