OLED Smart TVs are the ones that currently offer the best image quality. Controlling the pixels individually delivers perfect images, with deep blacks and infinite contrast. However, Quantum Dot technology has become closer thanks to local dimming zones, and the introduction of the Mini LED has the manufacturers themselves somewhat confused.
This is stated by analysts from the DSCC (Display Supply Chain Consultants) , where they have detailed in a report that the increase in interest in the Mini LED is causing manufacturers to redirect investment towards this technology. Specifically, they claim that investment in OLED has been delayed in China to invest more in Mini LED.
Investment in OLED is reduced
According to DSCC figures, investment in OLED between 2020 and 2025 would fall by 2% globally , equivalent to about 1 billion euros. The fall is by no means something worrying, but it does indicate that there is a lot of interest in the demand that this new market may awaken.
The effect of this can be twofold. From the outset, for the Mini LED prices are expected to fall, while revenues and profitability increase if the demand for this technology continues to grow. This technology makes it possible to offer televisions with LCD panels with thousands of local dimming zones , turning off if there are dark areas and offering greater luminosity in light areas. As there are so many areas, the blooming is hardly noticeable anymore, approaching the image perfection offered by OLEDs that do not need local dimming areas.
OLED has become the benchmark in the premium TV market, leading in sales. The Mini LEDs, with a lower price, could put this technology in trouble by offering excellent performance.
OLED will continue to reduce its price
However, it is not all bad news for OLED. Currently, the largest manufacturer of OLED panels for televisions is LG, which resells it to other manufacturers such as Sony or Philips. This year, the panels have received improvements in brightness and image quality for the first time since these panels were launched on the market.
In addition, by the year 2023, TCL is expected to start manufacturing its own OLED panels using an ink printing system that will reduce costs between 15 and 25% compared to what it costs to manufacture them today, so that price could finally drop comfortably from 1,000 euros.
This ink panel printing method, abbreviated as IJP , basically prints OLED panels on glass panels. The current panels, which are White OLED (WOLED) require a more complex production process and with more materials, which increases their cost.
TCL is an example of a company that is betting on both technologies, where they have the X10 range with Mini LED (the only QLED Smart TV with Android TV on the market), and they are also working to carve out a niche in the OLED world. In the case of LG we see the same, but in reverse, where they bet on the OLED in the highest range, but they also offer Quantum Dot with NanoCell technology, and also bet on the Mini LED with the QNED.