I observed Sony's new RGB mini-LED TV technology in action, and OLED TVs should be on alert.
Increase in the demand for RGB LED.
Sony has revealed a new next-generation display system based on high-density LED backlighting, which allows for individual control of the primary colors red, green, and blue. This innovative display technology is being developed for both consumer televisions and professional monitors, and the company has announced that it will begin mass production in 2025.
Although the official launch date cited by Sony is 2025, during a recent demonstration at its headquarters in Tokyo, the company indicated that this technology is considered a development for 2026. This suggests that new televisions equipped with this technology could be released next year, or perhaps in 2027.
The use of RGB backlighting in televisions is not a new concept, as Sony introduced RGB LED models as far back as 2004. Recently, at CES 2025, both Samsung and TCL showcased prototypes of mini-LED televisions with RGB backlighting, while Hisense displayed an actual RGB model it plans to launch later this year. However, Sony's new version promises to raise the bar by combining RGB backlighting with XR Backlight Master Drive technology, developed for the flagship Bravia 9, which stands out among the best televisions of 2024.
Unlike conventional LED televisions that use blue light modules passing through filters to generate color images, RGB LED technology employs modules incorporating individual red, green, and blue elements, channeling light directly to the LCD panel's pixels without passing through additional layers of color filters. This approach enables more precise brightness and color modulation, achieving up to 4,000 nits of peak brightness, approximately twice what many mini-LED televisions offer, while covering 99% of the DCI-P3 color space and 90% of BT.2020.
The XR Backlight Master Drive technology in the Bravia 9 utilizes a highly miniaturized 22-bit LED controller, improving dimming control compared to the 10 or 12-bit controllers used in conventional mini-LED televisions. For Sony's new RGB LED technology, backlighting control has been elevated to 66 bits (22 for each color).
In addition to the improvement in brightness and color space coverage, Sony's new technology also promises to expand the viewing angle of the screen, a traditional challenge in LCD televisions. With the new RGB LED technology, the red, green, and blue components are directed to the corresponding pixels on the LCD panel, enabling high-precision light control that minimizes light spill and color shifts, leading to better color saturation from both front and side viewing angles.
Another benefit is the potential to create larger screens at a more cost-effective price. While OLED televisions are available in sizes up to 97 inches, producing them in sizes larger than 83 inches is currently not economically feasible, resulting in a significant price increase. Sony claims that its LCD televisions with RGB LED technology can scale to ultra-large screen sizes more economically, allowing for the development of models over 100 inches that can compete in price with conventional mini-LED models.
During a recent demonstration at Sony's Tokyo headquarters, the effectiveness of this new technology was showcased live, with images of impressive saturation and detail, and virtually no light spill. The image quality in dark colors was also maintained, while the contrast offered a quality similar to that observed in the best OLED televisions. Off-axis image quality was notable as well, with colors remaining consistent and bright even from extreme angles.
Another standout aspect was the anti-reflective screen of the prototype, which demonstrated superior reflection reduction compared to the Bravia 9 model. While the demonstration indicated that the new RGB LED technology is getting close to competing with OLED screens, it is still expected that the latter will remain relevant in the future. Sony and other companies have the opportunity to improve the performance factors of mini-LEDs, such as color space coverage and black uniformity, which could allow the technology to truly rival OLED televisions.
