How MicroLED is Set to Change Screen Technology in the Home – The Emerging $50 Billion Opportunity
MicroLED is on track to displace LCD and OLED in consumer TV applications. That’s according to a new MicroLED report from Futuresource Consulting, which predicts global players will invest more than $10 billion into the technology over the next few years, creating a $50 billion + cumulative market opportunity over the next decade.
With over 25 years’ experience advising their clients on all aspects of the Professional Displays sector, market research company Futuresource predict that the disruptive technology of MicroLED is set to start an astonishing journey.
“MircoLED is on a direct path towards the centre of the consumer electronics and professional AV industries, and it will have a major impact on all stakeholder groups,” explains Chris McIntyre-Brown, Director at Futuresource Consulting. “From manufacturers, suppliers and brands, to resellers, channel partners and end users, we’re going to see MicroLED begin to dominate the marketplace in the mid-to-long term.”
Challenges before Domination for MicroLED
However, the Professional Displays team at Futuresource make it clear that there are still many hurdles to confront before MicroLED can secure its position in the CE mainstream. In particular, critical manufacturing steps need to be perfected before the technology can be integrated into consumer TVs at a price that’s acceptable to the market.
To date, manufacturers have struggled to optimise yields and consistently deliver sufficient quality, resulting in limited availability and high prices. However, the multi-billion-dollar investment is expected to have an extremely positive impact on manufacturing processes and equipment. Both of those elements are vital to MicroLED’s ascendance.
McIntyre-Brown comments, “our latest research reveals that Samsung, Leyard and Foxconn stand out as leaders in creating MicroLED manufacturing ecosystems. They currently have the most comprehensive partnerships and we expect them to be early entrants into the CE market. Other global consumer electronics and Pro AV market leaders, including Apple, BOE, LG and Sony are also pursuing the CE opportunity.”
The Impact on CE Brands
Futuresource’s report demonstrates how existing CE manufacturers with MicroLED capabilities will have a distinct advantage in the MicroLED TV space. That’s due to their knowledge and experience with sophisticated interfaces, protocols and standards. For example, an advanced integrated processor is needed to process video signals, remove noise, and optimise contrast and colour. There are also further capabilities to consider, such as upscaling, simple windowing, WebOS, universal remote, voice control and interfacing to voice assistants and content providers.
The list continues: a MicroLED consumer TV must be compatible with advanced video, audio and interconnect protocols, as well as be tested for interoperability and backwards compatibility. In addition to this, there’s the requirement for a television tuner. It’s an extensive challenge, and one which CE manufacturers are equipped to tackle.
Innovative MicroLED Opportunities within the CE Space
The integration of several components into a single form factor is a key step towards capturing the hearts and wallets of consumers in a competitive CE landscape. MicroLED presents a number of opportunities to combine and innovate far beyond the capabilities of LCD, OLED or LED.
Many of the innovations are centred on the available space between the pixels, which could be harnessed to offer a range of added functions. Cameras and microphones could be integrated directly into the screen to facilitate advanced video communication capabilities, as well as interactivity through motion or touch. A porous display could enable highly integrated speaker arrays and new audio usages. Plus, from an aesthetic perspective, all this value-add technology can be incorporated into an ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight advanced form factor.
The Future of MicroLED
“Although there is much to be done to make MicroLED a mass-market consumer reality, the industry is already moving in the right direction and gaining some momentum,” says McIntyre-Brown. “The technology also presents an open door for powerful new players with semiconductor technology and manufacturing expertise to dominate the market, carving out enviable positions within the ecosystem. And as the game plays out, this could possibly unseat Chinese LED display market leadership and leave other brands free to explore lucrative market advantages.”
To find out more about Futuresource Consulting’s brand new global MicroLED display market report, alongside its companion report focusing on the global LED display market, please contact matthew.ledgerwood@futuresource-hq.com
About Futuresource
Futuresource Consulting is a market research and consulting company, providing its clients with expertise in Professional AV, Consumer Electronics, Education Technology, Content & Entertainment, Professional Broadcast and Automotive. Combining strong methodologies and unsurpassed data refinement with in-depth market knowledge and forecasting, Futuresource deliver the latest insights and technological developments to drive business decision-making.
About the author
Ted Romanowitz is a visionary product leader spearheading industry transitions in the Semiconductor, Consumer Electronics, Networking and Professional Audio Visual industries. He held increasingly responsible marketing roles at Intel Corporation over his twelve year tenure, helping drive the highly successful Centrino Mobile Technology launch and Gigabit Ethernet market transition as well as owning the global consumer processor and chipset roadmap.
Romanowitz begin in the Pro AV industry in the 1990s expanding the Vivatek brand for Delta Products and has spent the past decade focused on LED product management with Industry leaders Leyard/Planar and Christie Digital Systems. Currently an independent Consultant and Contributing Assistant Professor at Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management, Ted lectures, writes and consults in the areas of new product planning, go-to-market strategy, product and sales management.
In August 2021, he co-authored a comprehensive industry report on MicroLED display technology focused on the Pro AV and Consumer Electronics industries.
About the author
Coming from a background in marketing consultancy, Chris joined Futuresource in 2004 and has worked across all areas of the Futuresource business in his time at the company.
Chris is recognised as a leading global authority in the B2B Technology sector, regularly presenting at major international conferences, video broadcasts and published in trade press. He now leads a large team of analysts spanning 4 core pillars of Pro AV, Video and Broadcast, Collaboration and Information Technology.
Chris works extensively with the world’s largest tech giants, trusted to delivering strategic insights and consulting services. He holds a BA in Business Management and an MA in Marketing Management.
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